Growing dwarf apple trees in containers has a few distinctive advantages: 1. After the growth of the tree and pruning during the first two to three years there will be very little pruning needed. 2. These dwarf trees are much easier for the gardener to inspect for pests and diseases, and to treat as soon as possible. 3. You will not need a ladder to harvest your apples.
Most apple trees will need other apple trees in order to pollinate which will lead to a production of fruit. As a gardener it is best to check with an expert on fruit trees or garden center regarding cross-pollination of the apple tree varieties. Some
apple trees are classified as triploid varieties which mean they will need two other compatible apple varieties planted in containers within close proximity for pollination. Many of the Malus domestica or apple varieites will only need one other variety in order to pollinate. Once you have chosen the variety you wish to grow it is important to find out which other apple varieties will pollinate them effectively. It does not make a difference how well your apple trees can handle your climate; if you do not choose the proper apple variety for pollination you will not produce any apples. If your garden or backyard is not large to support two or three apple trees you can always plant a variety that is self-pollinating such as Jonathan, Yellow Transplant or Golden Delicious. These apple trees can produce a larger crop if they are cross-pollinated.
Pruning dwarf apple trees early will help in the development of the tree so that it will have a strong enough formation to be able to handle the weight of an abundance of apples. This early pruning will also bring about openness so the sunlight will be able to reach as many leaves as it can. The best way to achieve this is by doing as little pruning as possible. When you purchase an apple tree, chances are it will look like just a stick with twigs poking here and there from its sides; do not let this appearance discourage you in any way. As your tree grows it will put out new and lively looking branches: you can then choose the best limbs that grow in a straight line right out of the trunk. There are certain things you need to watch out for during the pruning in the dormant season. You need to cut all the drooping branches back and cut off the branches that are growing downward; if you do not these branches will receive too much shade, be colored unevenly, and will be very small.
As with most fruit trees, apples will need nitrogen for survival. Fertilizing can be a challenge because you do not want to give them too much. Your apple trees should grow between 8 and twelve inches of shoot growth each year; if your tree has only grown less than 6 inches you need to add more nitrogen in early spring. On the other hand, if your tree receives too much fertilizer, it could grow 14 inches a year; if this happens your fruit will be too large and the texture will be very mealy. There are other nutrients in the fertilizer such as potassium, magnesium, calcium, manganese, and boron that are very important to the quality of your apples. The fertilizer that you can use is a time-release general purpose in order to ensure it gets enough of the nutrients for a healthy crop.
In the past some apple tree pests and diseases have been difficult to treat because so many trees were grown and so few received the proper care. Those trees served as reservoirs for pathogens and pests making it difficult for the organic gardener to harvest clean, worm-free fruit. Fortunately, new developments have occurred in breeding resistant varieties of apples and the new
organic materials have helped the gardener in
container growing organic apple trees.
