Achieving pruning success is actually rather simple. The only way you can go wrong is if you prune your fruit trees at the wrong time of year. So, when is the right time? Well, for stone fruit – such as apricots, cherries, and plums – the right time of year is summer. The reason for this is because they are prone to Silver Lead disease and so summer is ideal because the sap is rising. All other fruit is better off being pruned in winter. Pick a lovely mild day when the fruit trees are doormat and get to work.
One of the most important things when it comes to ensuring your fruit trees grow successfully is irrigation. There are a lot of variables when it comes to determining how frequently you need to water the trees and what methods you need to use. These include…
- The type of soil the roots are feeding on
- Ground cover (if there is indeed any)
- Weather conditions
- Budget – Some irrigation methods, such as sprinklers, are more expensive than others
These are variables you only know the answer to. However, in general, the condition you should be looking to achieve for the best growth is whereby the root zone is continually moist yet well-drained at the same time. You need the moisture but what you don’t need is to be drowning the soil. If you are unsure regarding whether your irrigation system is substantial then don’t panic; it is very easy and straightforward to check whether the soil is moist. Merely dig to the root zone of the tree and have a quick look.
Another recommended thing to do is when you buy fruit trees, whether you’re buying fruit trees from Costco or a garden center, is to also buy a grease band as well. This is perfect for dealing with pesky moths who love nothing more than to destroy the fruit and the leaves of your new tree. Essentially a grease band is a bit of sticky paper that stops female moths from being able to reach your tree’s branches. Obviously, if the female moth is able to freely get to the branch of your tree when it is going to mate and the caterpillars are going to indulge in your fruit before you get the chance too. Grease bands are cheap yet highly effective. Simply apply them around the tree’s trunk approximately 50cms or so above soil level.
And finally, before concluding there are also a few handy tips and tricks which are great for specific types of fruit trees. For instance, if you are going to grow cherries then it is recommended to position white stones (or any other type of reflective light covering) on the ground immediately after they have flowered. Why? The reflected light actually aids pollen tube growth. And there is no fruit that loves a bit of water more than pears do. If you want to improve the yield of pears then you should water until six weeks after blossoming and from the moment the flower buds burst. Of course, if you want specific information about a particular fruit tree then there are plenty of fantastic books available for purchase. These will tell you all you need to know.