My question about the standard fruit trees and soil (posted on Feb 9) was prompted by my misfortune 2 years ago. I ordered 20 fruit trees from ByLands (Kelowna); apples-Spartans, Royal Gala and Jonagold all on Ottawa 3 rootstock, sweet cherries-Stella and Skeena; and Italian Plums, and just 4 trees survived up to day. They sent me 2 years old feathered whips, all looking healthy. The soil in my orchard is sand and gravel mix, so I dug up 3’x3’ holes for each of the trees and backfilled them with garden compost, peat moss and forest mulch. They did well all summer long, and in early spring the buds swelled and then in mid May all the buds died. What happened? Was the poor soil the only reason I lost them? I’m quite successful with all varieties of berries in my garden. Should I opt for dwarf fruit trees instead? Any help will be greatly appreciated. AnnaW
Possible there was a problem with soil moisture due to the amended backfill. Although you seem to have a coarse soil possibly the trees got too wet during the winter anyway. I would have dug them up and looked at the roots (and planting hole backfill) when I saw them starting to fail. Roots run the show, if roots are unhappy tops will show it. In future do not amend individual planting holes. Refill holes with same soil that came out, providing organic matter by instead mulching after planting.
Howdy AnnaW, Ron is correct. You are better off not to admend the soil for back filling. As to why your trees are dying, I can only guess they are not hardy enough for your area. Many less hardy materials will grow like a charm in the first year and then kaput. I firmly believe they are not winterkilled as most will say. I coined the word "spring kill". Trees survive the winter and begin to move (as indicated by your obeservation on buds trying to leaf out) too early and then got zap by sub-zero temperatures. Since you'll be buying more hardy materials on hardier rootstock, you should be harvesting in a couple of years. Incidentally, if you do not have consistant snow cover throughout winter, please do not use Ottawa 3 as the rootstock in zone 3 or 4. Peace Thean
Hi Annaw; I worked for a major cherry grower for several years- its likely that the cherries died because of your location. Stella and Skeena will get damage some years in the Okanagan. Spartan might be okay for your area as it has pretty good winter hardiness. Gala and Jonagold would likely get injured there as well.You need to look at different hardier varieties for your area. Good luck
That is very strange as to why they would die out like that. Maybe use triple mix soil will help? What is an ottawa rootstock#3? I live in Toronto...what type of apple should I plant?
