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Nik Magnus | updated 2018 Woodbridge Fruit Trees | www.woodbridgefruittrees.com.au
Heeled in
When you get your young trees, it’s a good idea to stand them in a bucket of water overnight. If you’re not ready to plant them you can “heel them in” a temporary position for a few weeks. Just bury the roots in a pile of moist sawdust or loose soil, and keep moist. At no stage allow the roots to dry out. Also, don’t let the roots sit in water for more than a few days, or they may start to rot.
The young fruit tree
Dig a hole 40-50cm diameter and similar depth. Hopefully you have already prepared the hole earlier and composted some manure or added some better soil if the ground is poor. I suggest soaking the roots for a few hours or overnight in some dilute seaweed solution to encourage new root growth. Plant your bare rooted tree, burying the roots and keep the graft union well above the soil level. Settle young trees in by firming the soil and watering them in well. DO NOT add fertiliser at this stage.
The most important job for the new fruit tree is that the roots get established first, followed by the growth of leaves, branches and flowers. Pruning the tree reduces the amount of leaf emerging in spring when the roots are not fully working. I'd recommend pruning a fruit tree after planting in MOST situations, and you will end up with a better result.
Snugly planted, staked caged and mulched
The way you plant and then prune your tree depends if you wish to espalier it or have it free standing. For free standing trees, prune it somewhere around 60cm-80cm from the ground after planting. Doing this will encourage it to branch where it has been cut, producing a tree with a more open shape. A firm stake or two tied to the tree to add support is recommended.
Espalier systems are all different, but the KNNN method (see separate article 'KNNN') requires that you plant the stem at about 60 degrees and to not prune the tree, instead bending it horizontal to tie onto the bottom wire of the espalier. For the traditional T-shaped espalier (see separate article 'Espalier made Easy'), plant the tree vertically and prune it just above the level of the first wire.
Young trees need protection from nibbling possums, wallabies, goats, rabbits, horses and husbands with whipper-snippers. A cage or guard is recommended.
Feeding too early will result in damage to the roots that are not yet able to process the high nutients. As a general rule, only apply fertilizer during the growing season. Avoid fertilizer when planting.
Nik Magnus | updated 2018 Woodbridge Fruit Trees | www.woodbridgefruittrees.com.au
Heeled in
When you get your young trees, it’s a good idea to stand them in a bucket of water overnight. If you’re not ready to plant them you can “heel them in” a temporary position for a few weeks. Just bury the roots in a pile of moist sawdust or loose soil, and keep moist. At no stage allow the roots to dry out. Also, don’t let the roots sit in water for more than a few days, or they may start to rot.
The young fruit tree
Dig a hole 40-50cm diameter and similar depth. Hopefully you have already prepared the hole earlier and composted some manure or added some better soil if the ground is poor. I suggest soaking the roots for a few hours or overnight in some dilute seaweed solution to encourage new root growth. Plant your bare rooted tree, burying the roots and keep the graft union well above the soil level. Settle young trees in by firming the soil and watering them in well. DO NOT add fertiliser at this stage.
The most important job for the new fruit tree is that the roots get established first, followed by the growth of leaves, branches and flowers. Pruning the tree reduces the amount of leaf emerging in spring when the roots are not fully working. I'd recommend pruning a fruit tree after planting in MOST situations, and you will end up with a better result.
Snugly planted, staked caged and mulched
The way you plant and then prune your tree depends if you wish to espalier it or have it free standing. For free standing trees, prune it somewhere around 60cm-80cm from the ground after planting. Doing this will encourage it to branch where it has been cut, producing a tree with a more open shape. A firm stake or two tied to the tree to add support is recommended.
Espalier systems are all different, but the KNNN method (see separate article 'KNNN') requires that you plant the stem at about 60 degrees and to not prune the tree, instead bending it horizontal to tie onto the bottom wire of the espalier. For the traditional T-shaped espalier (see separate article 'Espalier made Easy'), plant the tree vertically and prune it just above the level of the first wire.
Young trees need protection from nibbling possums, wallabies, goats, rabbits, horses and husbands with whipper-snippers. A cage or guard is recommended.
Feeding too early will result in damage to the roots that are not yet able to process the high nutients. As a general rule, only apply fertilizer during the growing season. Avoid fertilizer when planting.
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