Planting Environment

Apple trees can be planted in pots or in the ground

Planting Materials

Apple trees should be planted  grafted seedlings, propagated from mature plants, this is to ensure that you get seedlings that will bear fruit within 2 to 3 years and also seedlings that will have the same characteristics as the parent tree. Grafting has been the most popular and successful method of propagating apple trees.

Soil Types

Apple trees requires soils that drains well and also rich in organic matter, loamy soil is a very good example. Apple trees that will be planted in pots or containers need soils that drains very well. Planting Apple trees in pots or containers using a soil that drains poorly will cause the plant to be stunted or cause the plants to die. Excess water retention in soil inside containers or pots with plants is totally undesirable to plants.

Sunlight Requirement

Apple trees requires full sunlight hours of at least 8 hours a day, if your Apple trees tree is not getting enough sunlight daily, the tree will not produce many fruits. Before you plant your Apple trees tree in the ground, you need to ensure that tree will experience at least 8 hours of full sunlight in the area that it will be planted.

Fertilizer and Nutrient Requirements

Apple trees requires fertilizers that contains Macro and micro nutrients. The best fertilizers for Apple trees are either organic fertilizers like Chicken Manure or in organic fertilizers that has all the Macro and Micronutrients. If your Apple trees is planted in a pot only apply organic fertilizers to the soil and in-organic fertilizers as a foliar spray on the leaves. Apply chicken manure (ensure its well composted) every 4 weeks and also apply a foliar fertilizer with Macro and micro nutrients every 4 weeks too. For Apple trees planted in containers, ensure you water them daily (Depends on the weather). Ensure that your Apple trees tree does not experience insufficient water, lack of water or not enough water for your Apple trees tree will induce Calcium deficiency which will lead to a stunted tree and low fruit productivity.

Pest & Disease management

Apple trees  are regularly infected by insects as well as fungal diseases. Common pests that attack Apple trees are Thrips, Aphids, Leaf miners, Scale insects and Mealybugs.

Organic Pesticides like neem oil and insecticidal soaps can be used however this will not kill the pests rather it simply chases them away for a brief period. In-organic pesticides are the only solution towards killing the insects, their eggs and larvae. Pesticides should be applied once a month to prevent infestation.

Apple trees are also regularly infected by fungi most especially during the raining season where the splashing of water and the damp atmosphere makes it easy for fungal spores to be spread. Common Fungal diseases of Apple trees are Phomopsis, Anthracnose, leaf spots and bacterial blight

Neem oil should be sprayed every 2 weeks during the fruiting season to prevent Anthracnose.

Organic fungicide like neem oil helps to prevent Anthracnose, however In-organic fungicides are the best choice since they have both preventive and curative capabilities.  Fungicides should be applied every 2 weeks to 3 weeks During the rainy season applying fungicides every 2 weeks will prevent infection from Fungi.

Time to Fruiting

Apple trees grown by seed takes about 7 to 8 years before they start bearing fruits.  Also, commercial harvest from seed grown Apple trees occurs in the 9^th year.

Apple trees grown by air layering, budding and grafting takes about 2 to 3 years before they start bearing fruits. Commercial harvest from trees grown from air layering and grafting occurs in the 4^th year.

Apple trees are self-pollinating however fruit yield from self-pollinated trees are very low. Cross pollinated apple trees have a very high fruit yield.

Harvesting of Fruits

It usually takes about 4 to 6 months from flowering to harvesting.  Apple trees fruits generally have a short shelf life of 14 days without refrigeration.

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