Apple trees in bloom are a very mesmerizing beautiful picture that pleases every gardener, especially if the planted crop blooms for the first time. Therefore, the advice of more experienced people to pick primroses seems, at first glance, absurd and ridiculous. After all, everyone believes that the more actively the plant blooms, the more harvest will be. Therefore, it is important to figure out whether you need to pick flowers from the apple tree in the first year of flowering.

Features of flowering apple trees

Today the apple tree is the most common deciduous plant in Russia. In total, more than 36 species are included in this genus, about 10 are found on the territory of our country. The cultivars of this plant are bred by breeders from low apple, berry, Chinese, forest.

The most beautiful period for apple trees is flowering. It begins in spring, most often flowering occurs in May-June. The most favorable air temperature is + 15- + 22.

Interesting fact. The longer the weather is cool outside during the flowering period of apple trees, the longer the inflorescences will stay on the branches, pleasing the eyes of others. The duration of this period is different - from 6 to 18 days. An actively and massively healthy tree blooms only for 8-9 years of life. But already in the first years, the first flowers may appear, which will not give a large harvest, but, most likely, will remove the forces necessary for the formation.

Features of flowering apple trees

Flowers have a big role to play. They not only decorate the garden in the spring, but are also responsible for reproduction and fruiting. Due to the unique aroma during this period, a large number of insects and birds gather in the garden, which, in turn, are responsible for pollination. Thanks to this, an ovary with seeds is formed, which gradually turn into tasty fruits. If the apple is not picked by humans or eaten by an animal, it will fall to the ground and the seeds will fall into the ground and germinate.

Important to remember! Not always, if in the first year the apple tree blooms, will there be apples. Indeed, due to insufficient nutrition and small accumulated forces, many barren flowers can form on a young tree.

In order for the tree to gain strength as quickly as possible, it is important to monitor its condition from the moment of planting:

  • spud the root system to strengthen it;
  • trim the crown regularly;
  • whitewash the trunks;
  • remove the first years of life of flowers so that the plant gains strength.

The last moment should be dealt with in more detail in order to understand why the flowers are cut off and whether it is necessary to cut off flowers from a young apple tree in spring, and how early flowering affects the harvest and growth of the tree, in general.

Do I need to pick flowers

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The question of whether it is necessary to pluck the first flowers from an apple tree causes a lot of controversy among gardeners. The fact that such a procedure has a lot of opponents is not surprising. After all, most people grow fruit crops to obtain a rich harvest, especially if it is subsequently sold. For them, every flower is a value, so many disagree with this statement. They have a weighty argument - the tree will drop the extra flowers by itself, if necessary.

Do I need to pick flowers

Still, the most experienced summer residents and agronomists advise not to disdain such a procedure and not rely on natural processes. As a rule, removing primroses is an important procedure that will benefit the young tree. Plucking the first buds is relevant and justified for plants that have just been planted.

Young shoots and buds can appear on crops that have been planted even in spring. This is especially the case with varieties of early maturing apple trees. They begin to bloom from the first year of life. Timely removal of primroses will help you get a good harvest in two to three years. These fast varieties include:

  • Lingonberry;
  • Early red;
  • Summer striped;
  • Melba and others.

The formation of inflorescences requires a lot of energy from the plant, which in the first years of life for the tree is more important in the formation of roots, strengthening of the branches and trunk. If you allow the apple tree to bloom in the first year of life, then the incorrect distribution of forces will slow down the process of formation and rooting. Such a young tree can winter poorly due to weakened immunity. Winters in Russia are quite severe, so the apple tree will need to accumulate a lot of strength over the season to cope with the cold. When removing flowers, you should be very careful not to damage the leaves and young shoots. It is best to use scissors for such purposes.

When a young apple tree has bloomed, what to do, do not think for a long time. Primroses should be removed to help the mature plant develop. For the sake of experiment, you can leave a couple of flowers on a young tree in order to taste the fruits of the planted variety.

When to remove flowers

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Whether it is necessary to pick off the first flowers from the apple tree - this question torments every gardener who has young seedlings or clothespins on old ones. Why you need to remove flowers in the first year of life is worth understanding. There is also a recommendation to remove the buds for a few more years.

It turns out that you can remove flowers from an apple tree in several situations:

  1. It is imperative to remove the inflorescences in the first year of his life for the correct formation of the tree and the accumulation of the necessary strength.
  2. It is recommended to cut off 2/3 of the buds from the second year of existence. This will help the tree develop and form faster. This procedure can be repeated 3 to 5 times, depending on the apple variety.
  3. There is a technique for removing buds from an adult plant. Experts recommend removing the inflorescences from the upper part of the crown for one year so that the branches have a rest, and the next year to remove from the lower part. This method will help you get an annual harvest, as the tree will regenerate and rest in parts.

When to remove flowers

Interesting fact. The technique of partially removing buds from adult apple trees came from America. This method of increasing the yield is mentioned even in fiction.

If a two-year-old apple tree has bloomed

Do I need to pick off the blossom from the apple tree?

Theoretically, an apple tree should not bloom for two years yet, since the plant has not formed and is simply not ready to give a full harvest. But there are times when a two-year-old culture begins to bloom, and very actively. Gardeners are simply at a loss as to what to do. They understand that inflorescences need to be removed, but they already want to get a good harvest.

There are two solutions:

  1. If the tree is strong and well rooted at the age of 2 years, then you can leave the flowers and try your first harvest. But at the same time it is important to provide adequate nutrition and care so that the plant has enough strength.
  2. If the apple tree is not yet strong enough, then it is better to cut off the flowers and give more time to strengthen. For the sake of experiment, you can leave 1-2 inflorescences just to try this variety.

Why pick flowers from an adult tree

There is a technology that recommends partially removing flowers on an adult plant. Experienced gardeners recommend freeing about 2/3 of the inflorescences.It is especially important to carry out such a procedure during the period of active growth - this is approximately 3 to 5 years. The term of plant formation depends not only on the variety, but also on the climate of the area where it grows. What to do if a two-year-old apple tree has bloomed, there should be no question. It is too early for fruit to form, so it is best to remove the flowers.

Why pick flowers from an adult tree

On a note. If the tree has reached the stage of 2-4 years and at the same time bloomed only for the first time, while it is strong enough and well rooted, then the flowers can not be removed and the crop can be completely formed.

As the practice of experienced gardeners shows, you can use a special scheme for adult trees, which will help to provide yourself with a good harvest:

  1. In the first year, all buds on the lower branches of the plant should be removed. The crop will form only at the top of the crown;
  2. For the next season, the buds should be removed from the top of the tree. The fruits will ripen at the bottom of the crown.

This method of self-formation and adjustment of the crop has many advantages:

  • branches that can bear fruit alternately rest and recover;
  • the harvest is larger;
  • apples are much juicier and larger.

Adjusting the fruiting schedule

According to those who regularly carry out procedures to remove inflorescences, this helps to significantly increase the yield, contributes to the restoration of the tree after the fruiting period, and preserves the plant's own strength for winter.

A feature of the life cycle of this crop is that it has certain periods when they bring the best harvest. Almost every tree in one year gives a large harvest, which simply has nowhere to go, and in the second year it does not bear fruit - the plant is resting. For some varieties, the rest period can last from 1 to 3. True, there are varieties that are capable of producing an attractive harvest in terms of quality and volume annually.

To slightly adjust the periods of fruiting for yourself, the following procedures should be carried out:

  • top dressing;
  • pruning;
  • choosing the right variety for your site.

As practice shows, a good harvest can be obtained not only by removing inflorescences, which is considered an artificial interference in the natural growth processes of a fruit crop. Sometimes, to get good yields and tasty fruits, it is enough to simply understand the life cycle of the tree growing on the site and help the culture cope with the problems and difficulties:

  1. If a period has come in the life of a tree when it practically does not bloom, then you should not disturb it once again. This is the rest period. During this time, watering should be limited and the tree should not be fed. Careful pruning should be done to help the tree focus on growth. Two options are immediately combined - shortening and pruning old branches. This will help the plant to form more vegetative buds than flower buds in a lean year.
  2. In the year when flowers appear on the tree, and it is planned to get a harvest, it will be necessary to help the tree. In early spring, even before the start of sap flow, sanitary pruning is carried out with the removal of weak and diseased branches. In the summer, you should water the tree well and feed it regularly. If all the care procedures are carried out correctly, the result will be a large tasty harvest with large beautiful juicy fruits.

Why gardeners are against removing flowers

Not all gardeners, when asked whether the apple tree bloomed for the first time, whether it is necessary to pick flowers, answer positively. There is also an opposite opinion on this matter. A large number of summer residents oppose such interference in natural processes. It is also believed that the fruit crop is able to independently get rid of the excess ovary. Only the amount of fruit that it can grow over the coming season will remain on the tree.

Gardeners against flower removal

People expressing such an opinion are convinced that with artificial control of the number of flowers, a small harvest can also be obtained. There are several reasons for this:

  • a large number of barren flowers;
  • late frosts;
  • strong wind or spring hail.

No one is immune from such vagaries of nature. If you still pre-cut off the extra flowers, and then meet with force majeure, then you can generally be left without apples. On the territory of Russia, only, probably, in the southern regions in spring, when the gardens are blooming, stable weather is established. In other regions, especially in the central part, late spring frosts, gusty winds and precipitation in the form of hail are frequent.

Often on a tree and the formation of barren flowers. Most often, their abundant appearance indicates insufficient care. Empty flowers can be the result of a lack of feeding and pruning. If you fully take care of your garden throughout the year, then there will be a lot of ovaries.

On a note. Another significant argument against artificial flower removal will be the difficulty of carrying out this process on perennial trees. Some recommend simply removing one of the skeletal branches, which will also help increase the quality of the crop.

Since ancient times, the apple tree has been a garden culture associated with beauty, health and harmony. Despite the primitive structure of flowers, tasty fruits are formed from them, and they themselves contain a lot of useful components and substances. But when growing apple trees in your garden, it is worth remembering that unkempt trees are beautiful only in nature. In your own garden, it is important to monitor the condition of the plants, prune them, water and feed them. With this care, the plant will respond with a good harvest. When the first flowering of an apple tree begins, it is up to everyone to pick or not to pick flowers. But still, as practice shows, in the first year, the removal of inflorescences is justified and is a necessary measure.