How Do Farmers Grow Apple Trees?
Apple trees are grown by farmers for many reasons. Some grow them for ornamental purposes while others want to produce high yield fruit for their customers. They use the same practices to grow their fruit, in either case. These practices include fertilizing, pruning, fertilizing, and pollination in spring.
Pollination occurs during blossom season
Apple trees flower in spring and summer, and bear fruit in the autumn. They can be grown in USDA plant hardiness zones 3-8. Most varieties of apple trees require a second plant for pollination. You want to ensure successful pollination. Choose varieties that bloom according to your area’s climate.
Cross-pollination is most effective during blossom season when two or more apple trees are within 100 feet of each other. This is important because bees prefer to stay within easy reach of their hive. The two trees must have blossoms of the same type.
Pruning is done in winter months
Pruning your apple trees can help maintain their health and appearance. Pruning is done to allow for plenty of sunlight and air flow. The outer limbs are where the most fruit grows, and there is plenty of light and air. Avoid cutting any vertical limbs during pruning. They are often mistakenly thought to be suckers.
First, evaluate the tree’s size and shape. If the tree’s branches are too long, trim them using heading and thinning cuts. If large sections need to be taken out, do it in sections. When pruning a tree, try to cut one or two large limbs every year.
Trees are cut
The way that farmers thin their apple trees depends on many factors, including climate, soil composition, cultivar, and cultivar. Often, thinning is done using a combination of chemicals, such as NAA or BA. These chemicals are effective under a wide variety of conditions and can often be applied twice or three times per calendar year.
The thinning process reduces yield, but the fruits are larger and more valuable. A good rule of thumb is that if the trees are thinned by 10 to 20 percent, the total crop load will be less than 10%. A typical tree can produce between four and five fruits per spur. It is possible to thin a tree more frequently if the crop is large.
Trees are fertilized
Fertilizing apple trees is an important part of the growing process. It replenishes the soil’s nutrients. Particularly, nitrogen is essential for green vegetative growth. Different apple varieties require different amounts of nitrogen. For the best results, use a fertilizer that meets your tree’s needs.
Fertilizers are soil amendments that have been labeled with a guaranteed analysis of the nutrients they contain. When you apply fertilizers, it is important to follow the directions on the label. Fertilizers should be applied at least once per year. However, do not over-fertilize. Too much fertilization can harm the tree’s ability to grow.
Trees need water
The watering of apple trees is an essential part of apple production. To maximize yields, farmers must be able to determine the best time to water at different stages of growth. This is especially important during budbreak, flowering and fruit fill. The soil data is crucial in determining the ideal amount of water needed for each stage. Apple trees can grow as deep as 60cm deep from their active root systems. To ensure that their trees have constant water supply, drip irrigation is used by most farmers. This method supplies water to the roots of trees and prevents overwatering.
To estimate the amount of water a tree needs on a daily basis, the Cornell University’s model takes into account weather data and other factors, including the age and phenological stage of the tree. It also takes into account the amount of water that enters the system from rainfall.
Trees are pruned
The best pruning technique will maximize the yield of your apple trees. It is important to not shock the tree, but also to encourage future growth. To do it correctly, consider several tips. First, avoid thinning your tree. This method cuts off undesirable branches but leaves the others. The second thing to avoid is using a tree-sealing product. These can trap moisture and inhibit natural healing.
When pruning fruit trees, it is important to follow a simple three-step process. This method is applicable to all types of trees including stone fruits, bushes, as well as pome fruits. During this process farmers remove dead wood, suckers and water sprouts from trees.