new to fruit tress/dwarf apple

I have two dwarf apple trees I put in last spring '06 about 5', now about 6.5' tall. They are full of leaves, and look very healthy - but no flowers again this year... how many years do I have to wait for fruit? Thanks for your help, my clay soil has been amended the last 3 years with compost and composted manure so it is in good shape & the trees get at least 8 hours of sun per day.

apple trees really like it when you dress up like another type of fruit and run around the tree singing love songs.

I only have a carrot outfit, do you think that will help to motivate the tree?

now that might be risky - apples can be somewhat intimidated by orange vegetables, particularly of the root variety. I'm happy to bring over a peach costume, since we live in the same city?

oh, I don't think I'm comfortable with that. How about I paint myself blue (as in a blueberry or blackberry?) and what love songs have worked particularly well for you for a great harvest?

well, I don't like to give all my secrets away; stick with the lighthearted 60's lovesongs, and you really can't go wrong with anything by The Beatles. Definitely no hard stuff, that will only invite paper wasps and grubs to your yard.

I think a blue fruit is a great choice, I've noticed an extra sweet and crispy fruit the years I did my lovesong dancing in a purple plum costume... so real good thinking there! Keep me posted!

THIS FORUM IS ABOUT FRUITS & NUTS, not dressing up and singing to apple trees! ... SOME PEOPLE!!!

Well, I think the singing IS working, and also for some positive reinforcement and motivation, I hung tiny apples on the tree - Just like a Christmas Tree! I really think this will help the tree feel confident and motherly. Okay, well I'm off to costumesrus for a banana outfit!

RTP, you have the wrong forum, its the "Fruits and Nuts" forum, not the "Nuts" forum. Just kidding.

You may get your first flowers next year. Fifth year and you should be getting a great bloom.

Scott

Thank you !!! I didn't think anyone would catch me lol Okay, I will tell them they have one more year, so they better get busy. And I'll just wear my regular clothes when I talk to them.

That all sounds like it should be on the "fruits and Nuts" forum to me. LOL.

tee hee - I laugh every time I see my apple trees now!

Do you have your cross pollination base covered; is it a self fruitful kind ( still would set bigger crop if cross pollinated), or if it's not; do you have other trees around you who can be "the other parent" ?

Christie

thanks - both trees are self-pollinators - however, we luckilyy have two apple "parent" trees neighboring against a fence, so I would think that would help them out, as well.

Thanks Mrs Colla - !

hmmm... what else could be wrong; did you see bees, are there pesticides used near your trees, did you have heavy rain when the trees were blooming?

Christie

we have alot of heavy rain in the spring here; but the fact is they never bloomed at all - just new leaves! do you think they are still too young? I don't use pesticides at all .. the only thing I use in the garden is sluggo, and that wouldn't have hurt the trees.

I am proud to have alot of bees in the yard, they are covering my flowers, blueberries, raspberries and shrubs right now - cute little fellas. I'm stumped ! Unless ScottFSmith is correct that I just have to b e patient and wait until year 4 or 5 - I may not be able to wait 5 years - it's just not in me! Thank you for your help, tho I really do appreciate it!

Also, my soil has been amended there , lots of composted manure and compost (we are heavy clay) so it is in good shape.... and apples grow in Oregon like gangbusters !!! just not in my yard. : (

Does anyone know of a reliable source for Paw Paw trees? I would like at least 3 or 4 year old trees, or even older if possible, as they don't produce until 8 years old.

LOL ! I totally forgot about this thread! And, Scottfsmith was right on the money, both trees are blooming right now (Yeah!) Except we're moving, so someone else is going to be eating my delicious apples : (


Strawberry gram, you might want to make a new post about PawPaw so everyone can see it! Good luck!