Container growing apple trees will not only reduce some of the diseases of apple and garden pests but you can also end up with a better crop of apples. The dwarf apple varieties are the best to use for container growing on your patio or deck. It just takes a few easy guidelines to follow to be successful at growing apples in containers.
The container you use should be a half-barrel or a tub that measures at least 5 feet in diameter. The reason for selecting the dwarf apple is so that they will not outgrow the container. These varieties of apple will have the same patterns of growth as the ones planted in the ground. It usually takes about three years for an apple tree to become established and start to bear some fruit.
There are a few advantages to container grown dwarf apple trees: a.) after planting and pruning for the first three years, you will not need to prune very much after that. b.) the dwarf trees are much easier to inspect for pests or diseases so treatment can be performed sooner. c.) you will not have to climb a ladder at harvest time.
The majority of apple trees will need other apple trees for pollination. Before purchasing check with your garden center about pollination and which are the best varieties. Some apple trees will need two other varieties that are compatible and be planted fairly close together in order to pollinate properly; these apple trees are classified as triploids. Many apple varieties will only need one other for pollination. You just need to choose the right varieties to pollinate correctly. If pollination does not occur you will not produce apples. If you do not have enough room to support these extra trees, there are a few self-pollinaters such as Yellow Transplant, Golden Delicious, or Jonathan that you can plant. These trees will also give you a larger crop if they can be cross-pollinated.
The earlier you prune dwarf apple trees the better the tree will develop; it will have a strong, sturdy formation that is able to handle the weight. This pruning will create openness in the tree so that the sunlight can reach as many of the leaves as possible. As your apple tree grows it will put out new branches and you can choose the best branches that grow in a straight line out from the trunk. You will need to cut back any branches that are drooping and remove any that are growing downward during the dormant season.
Your apple trees will need nitrogen in order to survive; they also need fertilizing but not very much. The shoots on the trees need to grow between eight and 12 inches each year; if less than 6 inches have grown it needs more nitrogen added in the spring. If the tree gets too much fertilizer it can grow to close to 14 inches a year but the fruit will be much too large and have a mealy texture. The fertilizer that you can use is a time-release general purpose type; this ensures the tree will receive the proper nutrients for a healthy crop.
