Too late to plant fruit trees?

Zzippy · 19-04-2018 9:08am #1

So we were given a present of 3 fruit trees (2 apple, 1 plum) in pots a few weeks ago, but I've been so busy and the weather so cr@p that I didn't get a chance to plant them in the ground. They're sprouting leaves now, so I reckon it's too late to get them planted out? Anyone know is it ok to leave them in the pots til winter and plant them then? They're currently about 4-5 feet tall saplings. If it is ok, is it also ok to start gently training the branches? They're pretty vertical at the moment and I'd prefer to get them started "branching out", if you'll pardon the pun...

magicbastarder · 19-04-2018 9:12am

if they're potted, they're fine to go into the ground.

usually when people talk about 'too late to plant' with trees, they're talking about bare root.

Zzippy · 19-04-2018 9:16am

magicbastarder wrote: »

if they're potted, they're fine to go into the ground.

usually when people talk about 'too late to plant' with trees, they're talking about bare root.

Brilliant. I'm off tomorrow, will get the job done then. Cheers!

magicbastarder · 19-04-2018 9:20am

if you've not done so. it's worth reading up on how best to stake them.

Lumen · 19-04-2018 9:30am

magicbastarder wrote: »

if you've not done so. it's worth reading up on how best to stake them.

Low and at an angle, for potted ones?

magicbastarder · 19-04-2018 9:46am

that's the way i did it; and pay attention to the prevailing wind so the tree won't rub against the stake.

Zzippy · 19-04-2018 12:52pm

magicbastarder wrote: »

that's the way i did it; and pay attention to the prevailing wind so the tree won't rub against the stake.

Angled into the prevailing wind and upwind of the tree?

magicbastarder · 19-04-2018 12:55pm

so if the tree bends in the wind, it bends away from the stake - i.e. it should pull on the rubber tie rather than pushing into the stake.

gozunda · 20-04-2018 12:43am

Just check to ensure the trees have a decent root system. Sometimes trees may only have been in posts for a short time and may not be much better than bareroot in terms of root development...

magicbastarder · 20-04-2018 8:02am

if that is the case, they're as good in the ground as they are in the pot anyway (in terms of watering).

gozunda · 20-04-2018 10:18am

magicbastarder wrote: »

if that is the case, they're as good in the ground as they are in the pot anyway (in terms of watering).

They require different aftercare

See:

http://www.evanspinesnursery.com/whypotted.html

Safest give a quick check eitherway ...

Too late to plant fruit trees?

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