There’s a phenomena (a big word and, yes im going to use it!) in the top fruit growing world called the June drop. It is the trees natural way to conserve energy for the good of the tree itself and to maximise potential for the fruit that is left.
Like with more or less every living thing. The reason to be alive is to reproduce. In this case to make viable seeds for germination. It takes the tree a lot of effort to grow fruit. So, when you see some of your fruitlets drop on the floor, don’t be alarmed…unless its all the fruitlets! It’s the trees natural process. I think its amazing!
Now unfortunately the tree doesn’t usually do it in a lovely uniform way for us. So on a good year time will be spent thinning fruit by hand. I’ll be honest, it’s not a job I enjoy!
Apple thinning
Commercially you would need to thin your apples to around eight per forearm, to ensure you get as many 1st class apples as possible. Most varieties you can leave two per cluster. If not growing commercially you can leave more. If growing for juice or cider, you can thin a lot less and really only do it to allow air and light to enter.
Pear thinning
Pears you really need to assess how much you think the branch can take. Remember, pears are heavier than apples!
Plum thinning
Plums and Greengages, you can just quickly break up bunches. Again think of the weight on the branch but also any fungal disease spreads very quickly in plums so allow air to circulate.
Fruit thinning tips
- Allow air and light to surround the fruit
- Think about weight on the branches, you don’t want the branches to snap. Keep assessing this through the coming weeks.
- Think about the size of fruit when fully grown in that space…do you have space for that?
- Take off diseased and weak fruitlets first. It makes for an easy decision and will add to the strength of the tree.
- If you have time take out any water shoots and unwanted new growth to allow more air to circulate.
- It’s good organic practice to take your unwanted fruit out of the orchard to limit the spread of pests and disease. I use an apple wizard from https://vigopresses.co.uk/cider-juice/presses/?gclid=Cj0KCQjwtamlBhD3ARIsAARoaEzntk-ETHIbIiJ1omnUXIKzluWcAB85rkQwiSBh8Pqjkejyn_-UnIMaAs4KEALw_wcB to make this easier on the back and knees. I also use one from https://www.gardena.com/uk/?gad=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwtamlBhD3ARIsAARoaEwiGYW6JM3-kanFATlgc-x63B4GhJ4FK_0UmM9sL9FhtaNHM6vETWAaArBLEALw_wcB If not possible try and mow over them to break them up a bit so they rot down quicker.
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