Potted apple trees are a great way to enjoy fresh apples without having to take on the hassle of owning an entire orchard. These trees can be brought indoors during the winter and kept in a sunroom or green house, or they can remain outside all year if given the proper care. Apple trees generally take four to five years before they produce fruit, so be patient when growing your own potted apple tree. Here are the steps for planting and caring for a potted apple tree.
Before you plant your apple tree, make sure that the pot is large enough to accommodate the tree’s roots. Fill the pot with a well-draining potting mix and water it thoroughly. Gently remove the tree from its current pot and place it in the new one. Backfill the pot with more potting mix and water it again. Place the pot in a sunny spot and water it regularly.
How deep to plant potted apple trees?
When planting an apple tree, it is important to dig a hole that is twice the diameter of the root system and 2 feet deep. This will give the roots enough room to spread out and grow. Place some of the loose soil back into the hole and loosen the soil on the sides of the planting hole so the roots can easily grow.
Apple trees prefer a well-drained loamy soil with a slightly acidic to neutral pH. Loamy soil holds moisture well and drains well, making it ideal for apple trees.
Can potted apple trees survive winter
Potted apple trees can survive winter, but they are more exposed to the dangers of frost than those rooted in the ground. To protect them, place a chicken wire around your potted tree, but leave a 6-inch space between the wire and the tree.
If possible, place the tree in a pail of water to allow the roots to re-hydrate for a few hours or overnight before planting. This will help the tree to establish itself more quickly and reduce the stress of transplanting.
When planting, be sure to dig a hole at least twice the width and depth of the root system. This will give the roots plenty of room to spread out and establish themselves. Be sure to look for the graft union on your tree as well as the slight change in color on the bark just above the roots. This will help you to plant the tree at the correct depth.
What is the best month to plant apple trees?
If you want to plant an apple tree, spring is the best time to do it in most parts of the country. The exact month will depend on where you live, but March and April are ideal for most growers. If you live in a warmer climate (USDA zones seven and warmer), it’s also possible to start planting in the fall.
If you want to plant a fruit tree in a container, you will want to make sure that your rootstock and tree are dwarf height–four to six feet tall–so they don’t outgrow the container. Apple trees on dwarf rootstocks fit well in a pot of between 18″ – 22″ diameter across the top.
How do you care for a potted apple tree?
Water the tree at least twice a week, daily during hot months. The smaller the container, the more often you need to water since the surface area is so small; it is difficult to get enough water in and to the roots. Drought stressed trees are open to insect and fungal infections, so keep an eye on the watering!
Apple trees are best not fed with high nitrogen fertilisers, they simply encourage root growth at the expense of fruit. In fact for optimum apple production they benefit from minimal feeding. Many gardeners feed their container grown apple trees only once a year with a long lasting fertilise with good results.
Do apple trees prefer sun or shade
When choosing a spot to plant your apple tree, it’s important to choose a sunny, sheltered site that is well-drained and not in a frost pocket. This will give your tree the best chance to thrive.
Most container-grown trees, shrubs, and perennials can be over-wintered by placing them in a moderately cold location (temperatures from 20 to 45 degrees Fahrenheit) over the winter months such as an unheated structure. The cold temperatures will keep the plants dormant until spring. In some cases, however, the plants may need to be protected from freezing temperatures if the location is prone to freezing temperatures.
How do I protect my new apple tree for the winter?
One way to prepare fruit trees for winter is by mulching your tree with straw or wood chips. This extra layer of organic matter helps insulate your fruit tree’s roots, protecting them from freezing during the winter. Frozen roots die and can no longer supply water and nutrients to the tree.
Frost cracking is a common problem for fruit trees, and can cause unsightly trunk cracking that can hurt the tree’s ability to take up moisture and nutrients. To protect the bark, tree wrap should be used and removed in spring after the last frost.
Can you plant just one apple tree
Apples are self-unfruitful, meaning that they need to be cross-pollinated by a different variety of apple tree in order to produce fruit. Plant at least two different apple tree varieties within 50 feet of one another for a good fruit set. Some apple varieties, such as Golden Delicious, will produce a crop without cross-pollination from a second variety.
Apples need at least six hours of direct sunlight a day for best fruiting. Choose a planting site in full sun. Apple trees also need well-drained soil that is moderately rich and retains moisture and air. After planting, mulch with an organic material.
How many years does it take an apple tree to bear fruit?
The average bearing age of fruit trees can vary depending on the type of tree. For example, apple trees have an average bearing age of 4 to 5 years, while sour or tart cherry trees have an average bearing age of 3 to 5 years. Pear trees have an average bearing age of 4 to 6 years, and plum trees have an average bearing age of 3 to 5 years.
Watering your plants is important to their growth. Water them when you first plant them, and then 1-2 weeks after planting. After that, water them every 2 to 3 days. Once they are established, water them weekly.
Conclusion
The first step is to purchase a potted apple tree from a nursery or garden center. It is important to select a tree that is disease-resistant and adapted to your region. Once you have your tree, find a location in your yard that gets full sun and has well-drained soil.
Dig a hole that is twice the width and depth of the tree’s pot. Gently remove the tree from its pot and loosen the roots. Place the tree in the hole and fill in with soil. Water thoroughly.
It is important to keep your apple tree watered, especially during the first year after planting. Water deeply once a week, or more frequently if the weather is hot and dry. Apply a layer of mulch around the tree to help retain moisture.
If you follow these simple steps, you will be on your way to planting a healthy potted apple tree that will yield delicious fruit for many years to come.
