On 02/05/2013 09:54, Baz wrote:
Martin Brown wrote in news:NEogt.6955$%
:
On 01/05/2013 15:13, Baz wrote:
What should we be doing now?
I tend to let them do their own feeding with their deep roots.
Baz
A bit of potash at the end of the season and any slow release fertiliser
you like will help them to get established. Preparation of the hole they
were put it in and staking is probably more important.
Keep grass and weeds down at the base of the tree too.
Yes, thanks Martin. I did not add any potash last autumn, just lots of
manure at the base of each tree. Only one of them is staked because that is
the only one in a really exposed position. Would you advise staking the
rest? I have the equipment to do it but am a bit scared of damaging roots.
High availability nitrogen like manure isn't such a good idea as it
encourages quick soft lush growth more prone to aphid attack. That's why
I suggested a slow release fertiliser and extra potash. The latter
encourages flowering. I actually use wood ash for this. Don't worry
though no need to remove anything you have already added.
I would always stake new trees, but I live in a wind tunnel! I have a
piece of my fir tree to lop which partially snapped in the recent gales.
It looked and easy enough job until I tried to reach it with the pruning
saw. The "small" branch is actually 8" diameter and 25' up...
A diagonal stake running in the direction of the prevailing wind will be
well away from any roots, a rubber tie band and offer enough rigidity.
You don't want them too firmly staked as the trunk will grow stronger
with a bit of flexure allowed.
Equally you don't want it rocking loose on the roots either. Oh and
don't build the soil up in height too much or you could give it a growth
check - the surface roots do need to breathe and will resent being
buried by more than a couple of inches of top dressing.
You are not supposed to let them set fruit in the first year either but
I have usually left a couple on to see what they turn out like.
Related fruit tree question. Does anyone have any experience of planting
a commercial orchard using semi-mature to mature trees?
I think it is madness, but I know someone who is planning to do it.
Strikes me as expensive and very prone to failure. The horticultural
equivalent of those wretched garden makeover shows. The new orchard will
also be on a flood plain that floods in winter every few years.
--
Regards,
Martin Brown