Do your crabapple trees drop a lot of fruit? Or do you wish they would produce more fruit that actually sticks around on the branches until you’re ready to harvest it? Crabapple trees are known for dropping their fruit prematurely, but there are some things you can do to encourage them to hold onto their fruit longer.
Crabapple Trees: A Common Problem
Crabapple trees are a popular choice for home landscapes because they are relatively easy to care for and they produce beautiful flowers in the spring. However, one common problem with crabapple trees is that they tend to drop their fruit prematurely.
This can be a frustrating problem for homeowners, especially if they are trying to grow crabapples for their fruit. There are a few different factors that can contribute to premature fruit drop in crabapple trees, including:
What Causes Premature Fruit Drop in Crabapple Trees?
1. Lack of water: Crabapple trees need regular watering, especially during the hot summer months. If the trees are not getting enough water, they may drop their fruit in order to conserve water.
2. Nutrient deficiency: Crabapple trees also need to be fertilized regularly in order to produce healthy fruit. If the trees are deficient in nutrients, they may drop their fruit prematurely.
3. Disease or pests: Crabapple trees can be susceptible to a number of diseases and pests, which can damage the fruit and cause it to drop prematurely.
4. Overproduction: Crabapple trees can sometimes produce too much fruit for the tree to support. This can lead to premature fruit drop as the tree tries to thin out its fruit load.
How to Prevent Premature Fruit Drop in Crabapple Trees
There are a number of things you can do to prevent premature fruit drop in crabapple trees, including:
1. Water the trees regularly: Crabapple trees need regular watering, especially during the hot summer months. Water the trees deeply and thoroughly, and make sure to water the entire root zone.
2. Fertilize the trees regularly: Crabapple trees need to be fertilized regularly in order to produce healthy fruit. Fertilize the trees in the spring and again in the fall with a balanced fertilizer.
3. Control diseases and pests: Crabapple trees can be susceptible to a number of diseases and pests, which can damage the fruit and cause it to drop prematurely. Control diseases and pests by following good cultural practices, such as pruning the trees regularly and removing any diseased or damaged fruit.
4. Thin the fruit: If your crabapple tree is producing too much fruit, you can thin the fruit in order to reduce the stress on the tree and prevent premature fruit drop. Thin the fruit in the spring, after the fruit has set but is still small.
Conclusion
By following these tips, you can help to prevent premature fruit drop in crabapple trees and enjoy a bountiful harvest of delicious fruit.
