The reasons why the columnar apple tree does not bear fruit and what to do to get the harvest
Columnar apple is a variety that is valued for its decorative effect and high yield. Therefore, some summer residents think: what to do if the columnar apple tree does not bear fruit. To cope with such a problem, you need to know the main reasons for its occurrence.
Why do columnar apple trees not bloom and bear fruit?
The main reason for the absence of large fruits on a columnar apple is the use of low-quality planting material. If a apple tree grows poorly, the problem of lack of yield can also be caused by insufficient tree care, harsh climatic conditions, diseases, deficiency or excess of minerals in the soil.
Varietal feature
A poor apple harvest can be triggered by incorrect selection of varieties for certain climatic conditions. Since the root system is shallow, such apple trees are afraid of frost, drafts, water accumulation in the soil. These factors can lead to lower yields.
Incorrect fit
Poor yields can also be caused by a violation of the tree planting technology. When planting, it is important to choose the right place: it should not be in the open sun, as well as in the shade. Groundwater should be located deeper than 2-3 meters. There should be space between the trees. The best option is considered to be a gap of 5 meters.
The holes should be made with a diameter of 1 meter. During planting of seedlings, they should not be deeply buried. Soil for columnar apple should be enriched with iron.
Young age
These trees form fruit one year after planting. But in some cases, this period may shift. This is especially true when the plant is not planted in the southern regions. If a summer resident has planted such a variety of apple trees in a temperate strip, he will receive the first harvest after 3-5 years.
Such features of fruit ripening are determined by the need for the development of the root system.
Side branches
The columnar apple tree is weakened with the development of lateral branches, therefore it is recommended to cut them off in time. To reduce the number of side shoots, you can plant this variety at a distance of 1 meter from each other. According to statistics, this approach to planting doubles the yield of plants.
A large number of ovaries
This variety of apple trees often forms an increased number of ovaries.Because of this, the load on the tree increases, which has a detrimental effect not only on young plants, but also on adults. In order to prevent a decrease in growth, a decrease in yield, it is necessary to thin out the ovaries within 1-3 years.
Incorrect cropping
If the thinning of the ovaries, pruning of the lateral branches are carried out according to the wrong technology, the tree may react with a decrease in yield. To prevent this, during the thinning of the ovaries, you must adhere to the rule: you need to leave flowers twice the desired number of apples.
Columnar apple trees do not require coarse pruning of lateral stems. During this procedure, be sure to leave a 2-3 cm stalk. Also, the harvest may decrease if in previous years the summer resident inaccurately removed the fruits from the tree.
Harvesting in this way damages the short branches on which the buds are laid for future harvest.
Intense growth
With the active growth of the plant, it does not have the resources for the formation of fruits. Because of this, it is recommended to cut off the top of the plant, leaving its height at the level of 2-2.5 meters.
Frosts
The columnar apple tree does not tolerate frost, so the tree should be insulated before the onset of cold weather. Straw mulch, rags, burlap are used as insulation. Particular attention should be paid to the tree during the period of spring frost, when buds or flowers form on the branches. In this case, the crown should be wrapped in burlap or other covering material.
Poor pollination
If the plant does not bear fruit, it should select a different variety for pollination. For this, an apple tree blooming in a similar period is suitable. To increase the success of pollination, it is necessary either to plant another variety of apples nearby, or to graft it into the crown of a non-fertile plant.
You can increase pollination by planting honey plants nearby, which will attract insects. You should also pay attention to the applied fertilizers, their amount should not exceed the permissible limits.
Supersaturation with trace elements
A large amount of trace elements in the soil can also lead to a lack of crops. For example, with a large amount of nitrogen in the soil, the tree will form only ovaries and flowers.
The optimal feeding scheme for such plants is considered to be fertilizing twice a year. Complex products should be used as fertilizers.
What to do to restore fruiting
To know how to make an apple tree bear fruit, it is necessary to determine the reason for the lack of fruit. On its basis, it is required to adjust the care of the plant.
Correct and timely pruning
In order for the summer resident to receive a rich harvest, he needs to follow the rules for pruning a plant:
- from the age of 5, the top of the plant should be regularly cut off - the height of the tree should not exceed 4 meters;
- if necessary, cardinal pruning must be performed gradually: in 2-3 years;
- lateral branches are cut at a distance of 2-3 centimeters from the trunk.
Regularity and dosed feeding
The plant should be fed in moderation. In the first 1-3 years after planting, it will not need additional fertilization, subject to preliminary soil preparation. Further, the plant should be regularly fed with complex fertilizers.
They should be introduced in moderation, excluding the oversaturation of the soil with minerals that interfere with the growth of the tree and the ripening of its fruits.
Organization of a winter shelter
It is required to insulate the planting before the onset of frost. The root area should be covered with mulch. It is also necessary to insulate the crown of the plant during the period of spring frosts.The best option for this is the use of burlap.
Standardization of ovaries
The organization of the correct rationing of the ovaries helps to maintain the yield of the plant. It is better to leave no more than a dozen flowers on a branch. It is worth considering that this approach to rationing will help to get an annual moderate harvest. If the summer resident does not want to normalize the ovaries, the apple tree can give a bountiful harvest every 2-3 years.
Transplant apple tree
If poor fruiting is not associated with the organization of plant care, then the soil or the place chosen for planting does not suit it. In this case, it is recommended to transplant the apple tree. This can only be done with a young healthy plant.
