Why the apple tree does not bear fruit and how to fix it?

Apples are the most sought-after and popular fruit in many countries around the world.These fruits not only have high taste qualities, but also contain a large amount of vitamins and minerals that favorably affect human health. Apple trees can be found on all household plots, in specialized nurseries, in gardens of farmers and agricultural companies.

Professional breeders have developed a large number of varieties of this fruit, which differ in their appearance and taste, maturation and storage time. Not all gardeners can grow and harvest a decent harvest of these fruits. Novice gardeners may face a number of problems that hinder fruiting. Before laying the apple orchard, you should carefully study the advice and recommendations of experienced gardeners and breeders.

When low yields are obtained this year from a planted apple tree or a complete lack of fruiting, when there are no fruits at all, professional gardeners recommend first finding out the reasons for low yields, and then starting a series of necessary measures to eliminate them.

The main reasons for the lack of fruit can be several:

• Violation of agrotechnical rules and regulations. Before planting apples, one must know the conditions that may affect the yield of the future tree. Among the basic conditions it is necessary to highlight the following:
  • infertility of the soil and its low quality;
  • surface run of groundwater sources;
  • root neck penetration;
  • planting a young plant at the wrong angle;
  • choosing the wrong place for the tree.

• The age of the tree. Fruiting trees depends on the variety and can occur in 5, 6 or even 8 years. Before harvesting the plant should be given time to form a powerful root system and crown. Only a strong and healthy plant can produce a large number of fruits. Lack of fruit on an acquired tree can be caused by several reasons:
  • the acquisition of a very young plant;
  • regrading;
  • purchase unvaccinated or wild seedlings.

• A high percentage of mineral and organic fertilizers in the soil. The introduction of nitrogenous fertilizers in large quantities promotes the growth of the tree, but becomes an obstacle to the formation of fruits.
• Damage to the kidneys. The buds of apple trees can be damaged due to the onset of severe frosts in the winter period or a sharp decrease in temperature in the springtime. Diseases and pests can also damage flower buds. Trees with affected buds not only do not bear fruit and do not give a high-quality harvest, but also cease to grow and fully develop.

There are several reasons for cyclical harvesting.

• Getting a lot of fruit in the previous year. To re-form apples, the tree needs an adequate supply of strength and nutrients. After collecting a large number of apples, the plant will not have the strength to form a high-quality harvest for the next year. This feature is characteristic of trees that are more than 10 years old. The gap between fruiting can reach more than 6 years.
• Individual properties of the selected variety, its genetic individual characteristics. When purchasing young trees, it is necessary to carefully study their varietal characteristics. Some species are characterized by irregular fruiting and the periodic formation of fruits.

• Frostbite flower buds. This problem is typical for some types of apple trees with small fruits.
• Incorrect crown formation and thickening. This type of problem interferes with fruiting dwarf trees.
• Wrong care. Kolonovidnye apple require special attention and special care for the formation of a large and high-quality crop.
• Mechanical damage in the formation of the crown and the removal of a large number of branches. Starting the pruning process, you need to carefully study the structure of the apple tree. Removing a large number of shoots will stop the fruiting process. The tree will begin in the second year to give all its strength to a set of green mass.

In the spring, a large number of flowers can be seen on the branches of fruit trees, and in the fall the amount of the crop does not meet expectations. The reason for this situation is poor pollination. The quality of pollination depends on the climatic conditions and proper planting of apple trees. Plants planted next to pollinating trees will always have a large number of ovaries and high-quality fruits.

It is necessary to pay attention to the fact that in some varieties the fruits ripen at the same time, and the timing of flowering is different. Professional gardeners do not recommend spraying the gardens during the flowering period. This procedure can significantly reduce the yield of apple trees.

Most of the varieties of apple trees have low resistance to different types of diseases. Affected orchards are not only unable to produce a large number of fruits, but can also die from the destructive effects of infections. Apple diseases are provoked not only by viruses and bacteria, but also by bad weather conditions and agrotechnical errors.

The most common types of diseases are:

• fungal - pepelitsa, scab, fruit rot, rust, phyllostiktosis, black cancer, milky luster;
• bacterial - bacterial cancer, necrosis, burn;
• viral - mosaic, fine-leaved, proliferation, stellate cracking.

Infectious diseases - a type of disease caused by the appearance of pathogenic microorganisms and penetrating the structure of plants through damaged bark and other mechanical damage.

Fungal diseases are a mycotic type of disease, provoked by the action of spores of pathogenic organisms.

Bacterial diseases - a type of disease provoked by unicellular organisms (bacteria).

Apple tree, like any other plant, requires attention, care and proper care. The greatest number of agrotechnical works must be done in early spring, before the onset of hot weather conditions. Spring agrotechnical work consists of several stages:

• removal of unwanted young shoots and dry branches;
• treatment of damaged areas of the trunk;
• a number of activities that prevent the emergence and reproduction of dangerous insects;
• increase the level of nutritional value of the soil through the application of mineral and organic fertilizers.

Failure to comply with all measures for the care of a plant or their complete absence will lead not only to the absence of fruits, but also the drying of the entire tree.

Later, the removal of covering material can lead to rotting of the trunk and the appearance of mold and dangerous pests in the crumbling crust.

Refusal to treat patients and damaged areas provokes the death of the plant, and the absence of lime whitewash can lead to burns and peeling of the bark on the plant.

If you do not remove the old foliage and rotted fruit near the plant in early spring, you can provoke the appearance and reproduction of a large number of dangerous insects.

Fertilization should be based on the type of soil and the age of the tree. Lack of or excessive amounts of mineral or organic fertilizers will adversely affect the growth and fruiting of the fruit tree.

It is forbidden to dig the soil near the trunk. This procedure will break the root system and cause it to dry.

There are many ways to return the tree fruiting. Let us dwell in more detail on the main types.

In case of improper planting of young plants, the situation can be corrected. two methods:

• creation of comfortable conditions;
• transfer.

In cases where tree transplanting is difficult or impossible to accomplish, experts recommend several ways out of a difficult situation:

• creation of a new drainage system to reduce the soil moisture;
• additional application of mineral and organic fertilizers that improve the quality and structure of the soil;
• installation of special support posts for correcting the growth of fruit trees.

To reduce the depth of the landing pit is not a reasonable solution. This manipulation will lead to the collection of the first harvest later than the planned time, but will create conditions for growth and the formation of a strong tree. The depth of the planting material has undeniable advantages:

• the formation of additional roots to create a powerful and healthy root system;
• protection of the vaccination site from low temperatures in winters with little snow.

In the event of the ineffectiveness of all the measures taken at the site of the initial planting of the apple, its location must be changed.

The tree transplant method is also used if the non-bearing plant needs to be moved to pollinating trees or to more comfortable conditions for growth.

Transplanting is a difficult and painful process for a tree. I recommend replanting only young plants that can start in a new place. Starting this procedure, you need to carefully study all the rules and tips, so as not to damage the young plant.

Put the excavated plant in the prepared special bag for transportation to a new place.

A tree is set in the prepared landing pit, they are filled up and tamped down with nutritious soil. The root neck should be above the surface of at least 10 cm. The plant is watered abundantly, mulching the area around the trunk. In order for the plant to start in a new place, it must be regularly watered and protected from pests.

Dangerous insects and diseases can cause not only a reduction in the number of fruits, but also cause wilting and death of the entire tree. In order to avoid an unpleasant situation, it is necessary several times during the season to process an orchard with special preparations.

Processing from pests is carried out in certain stages of apple development:

• at the beginning of the spring period before the awakening of the kidneys;
• before flowering;
• after flowering.

The composition of the most popular and sought-after chemicals includes copper and sulfur. In specialized stores you can find a large number of drugs in this group. Experienced consultants will help you make the right choice and purchase the right product.

Top dressing is an important stage of agrotechnical measures. Fertilization should not be chaotic. Mineral and organic fertilizers should be applied in the proportions indicated by the manufacturer on the package. A large amount of nitrogen in the soil will lead to a decrease in the volume of fruits or their complete absence. It is necessary to pay attention to the fact that nitrogen contains not only mineral fertilizers, but also manure.

To obtain large yields of fruits, it is necessary not only to eliminate the reasons for the lack of fruits, but also to use preventive measures. There are several ways to increase the yield of fruit trees.

• The correct formation of the crown of trees. This process must begin with the first year of growth of a young plant. For the formation of high-quality fruit, the fruit tree needs a large amount of sunlight and sufficient space. Experienced gardeners recommend not just carry out a chaotic pruning, but carefully examine all the details of this procedure. The optimum height of the trees should be no more than 4.5 meters.

• Removal of excess flower buds. The rationing method makes it possible to collect annual crops from all trees in the garden. Experienced gardeners recommend keeping no more than 15 buds on each shoot. It may not be possible to collect a large amount of fruits, but you can get a high-quality and moderate harvest every year.

• Planting plants in accordance with the lunar calendar. Nontraditional method of preventing the absence of apples. If you plant an apple tree three days before the appearance of the new moon, you can get a harvest in a shorter time.
• Scaring trees with an ax. Unscientific method of increasing yields. Experienced gardeners note its effectiveness and efficiency.

To obtain a stable harvest of apples, it is necessary to carefully study the rules of planting and growing fruit trees. Professional gardeners and breeders will help novice gardeners with tips and tricks. To create beautiful orchards that will delight owners of large yields, you need a little knowledge, patience and desire.

You can learn more about why an apple tree does not bear fruit in the next video.