Apple tree advice

Discussion in 'Trees' started by ismeval, Sep 8, 2008.

  1. ismeval

    ismeval Gardener

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    My sister has bought me a small apple tree - discovery - it says it is self pollinating so I hope that is correct or will I have to buy another? ..... Never having had a fruit tree before I am wondering if it should go in my garden or a large pot on the patio ... I live in the North East and my back garden faces North West .... any tips to help me get it over Winter ( which haven't been bad for years ) and perhaps fruit next year? .... Many thanks .... Val
     
  2. Pro Gard

    Pro Gard Gardener

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    It is indeed self polinating. Plant it in the garden in an airy position, not a corner.

    A good handfull of bone meal in the planting hole. Next year remember to put a grease band on it and a winter tar wash (very dilute jeyes fluid solution sprayed to run off in Jan)
     
  3. daitheplant

    daitheplant Total Gardener

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    Val, it needs a group B pollinator. Something like Cox`s Orange Pippin or Fiesta.:thumb:
     
  4. ismeval

    ismeval Gardener

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    Oh dear - two differing opinions there !!!! One of my neighbours in the next street and round the corner ( not very far) has a hugs apple tree so if I needed bees pollinating would that work - no idea what it is - but lovely red apples ....
    Also a 'grease band' ??? Not sure what you mean .... thanks for help .... Val
     
  5. daitheplant

    daitheplant Total Gardener

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    Val, ask your neighbour what tree he has. Don`t worry about grease bands just yet.:thumb:
     
  6. Freddy

    Freddy Miserable git, well known for it

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    Hi Val. I'm not sure but it might be the case that both Dai (David) AND Paul are right. I seem to remember somewhere that although an apple tree can be self-pollinating, to get a full crop you still need another tree. Is that right Dai ? Didn't Joe Cocker have a 'grease band' ? :) Cheers...freddy
     
  7. daitheplant

    daitheplant Total Gardener

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    Discovery definitely needs a pollinator.
     
  8. Pro Gard

    Pro Gard Gardener

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    ill concede to Davids knowledge on this.
     
  9. ismeval

    ismeval Gardener

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    Well that's a shame 'cos it says on the label it doesn't !! The neighbour round the corner has no idea what sort of apple tree it is as it has been in a long time ( it is very big ! ) and he has only been there a short time ! ... Guess I will wait until next year and find out ! .... Val
     
  10. Little Miss Road Rage

    Little Miss Road Rage Gardener

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    A grease band is something u wrap around the trunk of the tree to stop some moth that doesn't fly climbing up the tree and laying her eggs
     
  11. ismeval

    ismeval Gardener

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    A moth which doesn't fly ???
     
  12. walnut

    walnut Gardener

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    A grease band is put round a tree to prevent codling moth attacking the apples,the life cycle of the codling moth [Cydia pomonella ] is the moths usually appear in spring (they can fly) they lay their eggs on newly developing apples hatch and burrow into the apple, they spend their time eating the apple all summer, come autumn any apples falling to the ground the maggot (being well stuffed) makes its way back to the tree crawls up the trunk to pupate under the bark over winter ,the idea of the grease band is to stop this cycle,sometimes fluted cardboard is bound around the trunk removed in spring and burned along with any chrysalis that have overwintered under it.
     
  13. Little Miss Road Rage

    Little Miss Road Rage Gardener

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    Well I was close lol thanks Walnut
     
  14. Aesculus

    Aesculus Bureaucrat 34 (Admin)

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    Could the tree be grafted onto a pollinating rootstock? like my small apple tree for instance has 4 varieties on it (no idea what they are:dh:) which fertilize each other so maybe this apple tree was grafted with 'discovery' and another compatible pollinating tree?:cnfs:

     
  15. flowerpotty

    flowerpotty Gardener

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    The grease bands actually prevent the wingless female moths from climbing up the trees during late october /november to lay the eggs.
     
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