The apple tree occupies a leading position among pome fruit crops. Almost every gardener is familiar with the methods of its reproduction and cultivation, but sometimes it does not please the owners with exuberant flowering and rich harvest. What could be the reason for this and what measures should be taken? The reasons why a fruit tree actively blooms, but does not bear fruit, can be very different. Often this is due to improper planting of seedlings, weather conditions, and the absence of a pollinator variety.
Apple tree blossoms 230
Tree age
First of all, do not forget about such a banal reason as the age of the plant. Young seedlings take at least 2-3 years to start bearing fruit. The average period is 4-5 years, and some varieties give the first apples only after 6-8 years.
When purchasing a cutting, you should immediately ask the seller for the approximate period of first fruiting. This will allow you to choose a variety based on your goals.
Third-party factors may affect the time of first fruiting. So the freezing of the tree in winter will delay the harvest, and grafting or bending the branches, on the contrary, can bring it closer.
And of course, you should not expect eternal fruiting from an old tree. The apple tree "in years" at a certain time ceases to bear fruit. Its rejuvenation can become a temporary measure, but you shouldn't expect a miracle. It is best to uproot the old plant and plant a new cutting in its place.
The solution to the problem here lies in choosing the right variety. The following varieties have early maturity: Lingonberry, Cellini, Mantet, Melba Red early and others. If the variety Babushkino, Autumn striped, Solnyshko and the like are planted on the site, then you will not have to wait for a quick harvest.
When to expect fruiting and how to understand that the plant is "late"?
The culture belongs to long-lived trees. Therefore, a quick harvest in this case should not be expected. Most varieties begin to bear fruit only after 10 years.
There are some early ripening varieties, for example, Ideal, which give the first fruits as early as 3-4 years of life. Therefore, to understand that your tree is "late" with fruiting, you can only know the variety of the nut and its features. Late-ripening varieties yield only 10-15 years of age, mid-ripening ones - 5-8 years.
Important!
It is necessary to regularly inspect your seedling for the presence of pests, diseases, too dense crown. All this interferes with the timely start of fruiting.
Incorrectly selected variety
Zoning plays an important role when it comes to yield. So varieties that are not intended to grow in a certain area will give little or no fruit at all with the presence of their owner.
In this case, the answer to the question why apple trees do not bear fruit at all is simple: the landing area is not suitable for them. Plants overheat excessively or, on the contrary, freeze. As a result, their immunity weakens, which leads to the appearance of pests and various diseases. Peduncles of such trees are weak and there is little time for pollination.
The solution lies in the initially correct selection of the variety.
Reason 3. Diseases of cherries
Another reason the cherry tree may not be fruitful is plant disease.You can understand that a tree is sick by a number of signs that are clearly visible to the naked eye. In the case of cherries, a lack of fruiting is observed if the plant is infected coccomycosis... With this disease, brown spots can be seen on the leaf blades of a cherry tree, quite often a pinkish-scarlet bloom can be seen on the spots. Spots can be seen both on the top of the sheet and on the back of it.
The progression of the disease leads to untimely fall of the leaf mass, disruption of the processes of photosynthesis and the lack of fruiting. In addition, the plant, under the influence of the disease, loses its winter hardiness and can die even in an average severity winter.
You can fight coccomycosis by treating the plant with copper-containing preparations (1-2%), for example, Bordeaux liquid, iron vitriol or copper sulfate. In late autumn, when rain is excluded or unlikely, it is necessary to whitewash the base of the trunks and the first skeletal branches. You can also use approved fungicides such as Skora, Abiga-Peak, Horus and others.
Another disease that also leads to the fact that the cherry tree remains without fruit is monilial burn... It is also a fungal disease. The fungus is able to penetrate the ovaries at the earliest possible stages of their formation, leading to shedding. You can understand that the cherry plant is affected by moniliosis (monilial burn) by the leaf blades that have dried out much ahead of time, as well as by the shoots (as if burnt). At the same time, gray-brownish spots can be seen on the bark.
It is necessary to deal with a monilial burn in several stages - first, cut out all dead shoots, and then treat the plants with copper-containing preparations or approved fungicides.
Cherry tree killed by coccomycosis
Cherry tree killed by moniliosis
Incorrect fit
Compliance with the basic planting rules ensures the normal development of the apple tree. If they were violated, then the imminent harvest will have to be forgotten. When landing, you need to pay attention to the following aspects:
- The root collar of the cutting should not be buried. This is only allowed in southern latitudes with dry climates. On our lands, this leads to decay of the base of the trunk: the bark dies off, the tree develops slowly, and eventually dries up completely.
- The landing site must be selected correctly. If you plant a tree on the north side, which is blown by the winds and deprived of enough sun, then it will be forced to survive. The accumulated strength will be enough only for growth, there can be no talk of fruits.
- The quality and composition of the soil also play an important role. If the site has heavy infertile soil, then the plant will not receive a sufficient amount of useful components, and the root system will not be able to develop well. What to do when the apple tree does not bear fruit for this reason? Introduce nutrients into the soil, loosen the soil, put up a wind barrier.
- High groundwater levels lead to root rot.
- Sloping terrain is not ideal for landing.
If one of these problems is initially known, it is necessary to select resistant varieties with a well-developed root system.
The frequency of fruiting apple trees
The crop produces crops regularly every year and periodically, which is a concern for gardeners. The statement that the frequency of fruiting is a property of varieties is partially true. Indeed, in the apple trees Iyulskoe Chernenko, Mayak, Kitayka, Papirovka, periodic fruiting is genetically inherent. But experienced gardeners have learned how to get a harvest from these trees every year, applying the rationing of ovaries, proper care.
The following factors interfere with the regular fruiting of apple trees:
- inconsistency of growing conditions with the declared needs of the variety;
- returnable spring frosts destroying flowers;
- death of flower buds in winter;
- lack of preventive and therapeutic treatments.
For regular fruiting, crops are provided with an abundance of nutrients in the soil, normal illumination, irrigation, and warmth.
Insufficient or excessive cropping
Pruning the fruit tree should be done annually, in spring or fall. It includes the release of the crown from tops and small branches, which thicken it, but do not give a useful effect.
Insufficient pruning or its complete absence initially will not affect the fruits in any way, but after 2-3 years they may decrease in size or disappear altogether. Conversely, a large number of remote branches will signal active growth for the tree. All his strength will be spent on the formation of new shoots.
It is necessary to carefully cut the branches, leaving the "twigs", "spear" and "ringlets". Tops and wen are subject to removal, they do not give fruit, but only drive the growth of the tree. Powerful branches must be weighted down with weights so that they grow horizontally.
Why isn't this happening?
Diseases and pests
If a plant has recently suffered a disease or pests have settled on it, this can be one of the main reasons for delayed fruiting.
Diseases
- Marsoniasis or brown spot. Fungal disease that occurs due to excessive moisture, a large amount of rainfall. Red-brown spots appear on the leaves, which destroy the foliage and can then go on to the fruits.
- Bacteriosis A large amount of moisture can lead to deformation and shedding of leaves and fruits. Excessive fertilizing with nitrogen fertilizers also provokes this disease. The onset of the disease can lead to a delay in fruiting, and to the loss of fruits.
- Root cancer. Lumpy formations appearing on the root and stems lead to a lack of nutrients. The tree gradually stops growing, bearing fruit and dies.
Pests
- Moth... Caterpillars settle on the plant, which eat the kernels, gnawing them from the inside. The pest causes great damage to the crop. It is especially dangerous that the damage to the tree is caused by parasites of the first and second generations.
- American white butterfly... A dangerous pest that can harm both leaves and fruits, in general, significantly slowing down fruiting. Caterpillars hibernate in the bark, and subsequent generations reproduce in even greater numbers.
- Sapwood beetle. The insect gnaws holes in the bark, causes sap flow of the tree, which greatly weakens it. Moreover, at first, the activity of the beetle is invisible, and therefore gardeners begin to apply measures against it when it has already caused significant harm.
Incorrect cropping
If the branches of the tree are not properly pruned, this can also lead to a lack of fruit. It is necessary to remove dry and diseased branches in time, to thin out the crown of the tree. When there is too much green matter on a tree, pollination is poor.
Attention!
Pruning is best done in summer or spring before sap begins to flow. Large branches are not completely cut off, leaving for the next year.
Absence of a partner
Although the walnut is a monoecious plant, lack of cross-pollination can cause some fruiting problems: small nuts, few fruits. In some regions, pollination problems can be caused by frequent rainfall and high humidity.
Density of plantings
One of the common mistakes novice gardeners make is wanting to plant as many plants as possible.
Therefore, walnuts are planted close to each other, and when the seedlings grow, they not only interfere with each other, but also quickly deplete the soil.
Closely planted trees fall ill faster and stop bearing fruit., and sometimes they even die. The optimal distance between trees is 7-8 m, but not less than 5 m.
Improper watering
Both the lack of moisture and its excess can harm fruiting. The nut stops bearing fruit if a drought sets in. Each seedling needs at least 30 liters of water per watering. Watering 2-3 times a month, but if it rains, watering is reduced.
Variety
Many gardeners are waiting for their tree to bear fruit, unaware that the variety of walnut growing on their site may not meet their requirements.
Flowering time of walnut varieties:
- early maturing - after 3-4 years;
- mid-season - after 7-8 years;
- late ripening - after 10-12, and sometimes 15 years.
Since this tree is long-lived, and can grow up to 500 years, then, compared to its lifespan, this is a very short period of time. But if it is important for you to plant a tree specifically for obtaining fruits, choose early-growing varieties.
Landing errors
The nut seedling may not be properly planted. This also affects fruiting. If it has been planted deep in the soil, it cannot develop properly and yield crops.
Lack of pollinators
The success of fruit formation depends on pollination that occurs during the flowering stage. Apple trees require cross-pollination, which means that in addition to the tree in question, there must be other apple trees in the same or adjacent area. Bad weather can adversely affect the number of ovaries: strong winds, rain, frosts prevent the bees from performing their task, as a result of which pollination does not occur.
This gives an answer to the question why the apple tree bloomed, but there are no apples. Fortunately, our gardeners rarely encounter such a problem, because the apple tree is very common and there is no shortage of specimens for cross-pollination.
Reason 4. Bad weather
Adverse weather conditions during cherry blossoms can also disrupt the growth of pollen tubes and leave the grower without a crop. It is noticed that there may be no fruit at all if during the cherry blossom period there are recurrent frosts, if it rains and the humidity of the soil and air is very high, as well as if it is very dry and there is a strong heat.
In the case of frosts, you can try to help the plant by breeding smoky bonfires around the site, thanks to this, the air can warm up and save the flowers. Of course, smoke pollution is not always appropriate, especially if your site is located in an urban environment or among summer cottages with people living in them during this period.
In the case of high humidity, or, on the contrary, drought, you can try to stimulate the plants to form an ovary by boric acid solution... A bucket of water needs a bottle of boric acid (following the instructions) - the amount per adult tree or 2-3 young trees).
With an abundance of moisture in the soil, loosen the soil in the near-trunk strip more often, this will facilitate the evaporation of moisture, but if there is not enough moisture, then it is necessary to pour in a bucket of water under each plant in the evening, after loosening the soil.
Influence of pests
A pest such as the apple blossom beetle destroys the inside of the flower. As a result, the tree simply has nothing to bloom with and the formation of fruits becomes completely impossible. The larvae are deposited in flower buds, shortly after the pest emerges from hibernation. The percentage of defeat is great, from 90% to 100%. The formation of ovaries is possible only in rare cases, when the number of pests is significantly reduced.
Spring frosts can be another cause of flower damage. The petals crumble, and their core loses the necessary properties.
The presence of an insect can be determined by visual inspection. If there is sticky liquid, blackheads, or cobwebs on the flowers or buds, emergency measures must be taken.
What to do when the apple tree does not bloom or bear fruit due to pests? Spray with special preparations: Benzophosphate, Oleocobrite, Fitosporin-M, Karbofos, Trichlorol-5. The operation is performed twice, immediately after the opening of the bud and after the end of flowering. In addition, traps or trapping belts should be installed on the tree trunk. They can be of various types of action, but they must cope with the main task - to prevent the penetration of insects into the crown.
Growing cuttings
Why black currants do not bear fruit Obtaining seedlings from cuttings is a longer process than propagation by layering, including rooting cuttings, observing the conditions for obtaining the first branches and leaves, transplanting into the ground and following the rules of agricultural technology. The timing of flowering and fruiting largely depends on the conditions in which the tree will grow after planting in a permanent place, and on proper care for it.
Growing cuttings
Excess nitrogen fertilizers
Nitrogen fertilizers include ammonium sulfate, nitrate (ammonium, sodium, calcium), poultry droppings, urea, fresh manure. Even a large amount of mowed grass around the trunk can increase the content of this element excessively.
The introduction of nitrogen substances should not be carried out in the middle of summer or autumn, since they stimulate the active growth of young shoots. The tree, as it were, returns to childhood and begins to give many vertical shoots, increasing the size of the crown.
Nitrogen fertilizers are applied only in spring and in small doses. Adding them in the fall prevents the plant from preparing for winter and putting off energy for flowering.
Growing from seeds
Plum Kuban Comet
The gardeners borrowed the technology of growing seedlings from seeds from nature, planting a stone of their favorite plum in the ground. A plant grown from a stone is much more resistant to climatic conditions in comparison with one that is grafted even on a strong cherry plum stock. Fruiting begins in 6-7 years from the moment the seed is planted in the ground. Acceleration of flowering and fruiting times can be done when the seedling has at least 3-4 skeletal branches.
Unconventional ways
The methods tried and tested by gardeners, but unproven by science, include:
Landing to the rhythm of the moon
The apple tree is worth plant two to three days before the new moon.
For some reason, the growth of the tree is limited, and the apple tree begins to bear fruit ahead of schedule.
Intimidation
A tool for intimidation.
Experienced gardeners advise strongly Scare wood. To do this, they approach the apple tree with an ax and threaten to cut it down.
The method is absolutely not scientific, but its successful use has been seen in Russia for several decades.
What kind of soil is suitable
Plum soil
It has been noticed that those types of soil are suitable for plums, on which little grows!
This statement makes sense because the following types of soils are most optimal for the growth of plums:
- clayey;
- medium clay;
- sandy;
- with a high level of humidity.
In other words, plum grows well on heavy and moist soils. Therefore, if the plum tree is planted in other types of soil, then it is quite possible that the harvest may be very small.
However, an important fact is that the plum is very difficult to tolerate acidic soils. In order to neutralize this factor, a mixture of wood ash, chalk and lime can be added to the soil, the ratio of which is 1: 3: 1.
Common plum moth
Refers to the most malicious pests. During the season, about twelve generations can change, multiplying exponentially. After the plum has bloomed and the ovaries have appeared, the first founding females settle in colonies on the underside of the leaves, begin to feed on juice, the leaf curls.When asked when to spray aphid plums and what, experienced gardeners give the following recommendations:
- before bud break, if aphids have multiplied in the previous year, after blooming and after flowering;
- urgently immediately after the appearance of the first colonies, then constantly during the period of fruit ripening with the frequency of appearance on the underside of the leaf.
Treatments with a soap-ash solution (infusion of a kilogram of ash and half a bar of laundry soap) are effective before and after bud break. Plum during flowering should not be treated against aphids.
Infusion of marigolds, infusion of orange peel, just a solution of laundry soap bring good results. Of the most, perhaps, exotic - spraying with "Coca-Cola" (one two-liter bottle per bucket of water).
It is desirable to do without pesticides, such as "Akarin" ("Agravertin"), "Aktara", "Aktellik", "Arriva".
Her appetite boggles the imagination: a small caterpillar, laid by a butterfly on the wall of the ovary in the form of an egg, hatches, gnaws at the fruit, sits in it, chews and fouls everything around with excrement, can pick up and touching. The butterfly flies out after the plum blooms, begins to lay eggs at a temperature of about fifteen degrees. The gum released from the fruit is an alarm signal.
Control measures are both folk and chemical. Traps of fermented compote, beer, kvass - at night, butterflies fly to the smell, drown in liquid. Smoke with "fragrant" spices - rotten straw with potato and tomato tops, bitter wormwood. Two hours - and the butterflies do not want to fly to the plum, which is being fumigated. Twice a season, exactly when the butterflies fly out, is quite enough to get rid of them.
There are a lot of chemicals: "Aktara", "Aktellik", "Sonnet", "Bankol", etc. It is necessary to choose the most modern and alternate them with folk.
Tags: do, bear fruit, why, plum
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Creating conditions for pollination
A tree that does not please with a harvest, you should choose a pollinator variety... It will be an apple tree that blooms at the same time.
If there is no way to plant a tree, you can graft a sprig of a pollinator variety into the crown of a problem apple tree.
As an option, flowering twigs of an additional variety can be fixed in the crown of an apple tree, having previously taken care of moistening their cuts.
Should be planted in the garden honey plants and attract insects.
