Latest Analysis of the Causes of Apple Trees Dropping Apples

Experienced fruit growers all know one principle: the higher the fruit-setting rate of apple trees during the flowering and fruit-setting period, the greater the yield during the apple harvest period. But during the fruiting period, some fruit growers will find that their apple trees keep dropping apples. If the amount is not large, it does not matter much, but once the amount is large, it will affect the fruit growers' income. Today Qinnongwang will explain the causes of apple trees dropping fruit, and what to do when apple trees drop fruit.

1. Causes of apple trees dropping apples

In fact, the phenomenon of apple trees dropping fruit is not uncommon, because apple trees themselves have the phenomenon of fruit drop, which is a normal growth process, but there is also fruit drop caused by unhealthy reasons. Let's follow Qinnongwang to learn about it!

1. Natural fruit drop

Apple trees will naturally drop fruit during the fruiting period. This is one of their growth habits, so in this case there is no need to worry too much. Generally, apple trees have 2 peak periods of fruit drop. The 1st is about 10 days after flowering, and the 2nd is from July to August.

2. Excessive tree vigor

Excessive tree vigor in apple trees can also cause fruit drop. The root cause is improper fertilization. Apple tree fruit drop may be caused by too much nitrogen fertilizer, or insufficient phosphorus and potassium, causing an imbalance in the carbon-to-nitrogen ratio in the tree, thereby causing excessive vegetative growth, an imbalance between vegetative growth and reproductive growth, and causing a large amount of fruit drop; it may also be that the apple tree has a small fruit load, so a large amount of nutrients has nowhere to go and is instead supplied to the growth of vegetative branches, which can also cause excessive tree vigor.

3. Fruit drop caused by pests and diseases

In this case, attention should be paid to observation. If the fallen apples show signs of rot, or if the trunk of the apple tree shows signs of rot, then it is necessary to consider whether pests and diseases have occurred in the orchard. Diseases such as rot disease, ring rot disease, and anthracnose can all cause apple trees to drop apples.

2. What to do when apple trees drop apples

To prevent apple trees from dropping fruit, the first thing is to analyze the specific cause of the fruit drop, and then treat the problem accordingly. It is not advisable to take measures blindly. Let's take a closer look below.

1. Bend branches to open the angle

Change the direction of upright apple tree branches by propping, bending, and other methods so that the branches are spread apart. This can enhance the ventilation and light penetration of the apple tree, inhibit excessively rapid branch growth, and allow the apple tree to grow better during the fruit-setting period.

2. Remove sprouts and skillfully pinch the tips

Very heavy tip pinching can effectively reduce nutrient consumption, allowing nutrients to accumulate on early-growing shoots, thereby speeding up the growth of young fruit and avoiding fruit drop caused by insufficient nutrients.

3. Reasonably supplement fertilizer and water

During the flowering and fruiting period of apple trees, do not encourage excessive tree vigor. Gradually reduce ammonia fertilizer, increase the amount of phosphorus and potassium fertilizer, and pay attention to watering. This can promote fruit expansion.

4. Frequently use foliar fertilizer

During the young fruit period, spray amino acids, rare earths, or other micro-fertilizers on the leaves once every 7 to 10 days. Spraying should be thorough, uniform, and complete. Foliar fertilizer has obvious effects, but after all, its fertilizer effect is limited. It is only an auxiliary measure and cannot replace soil fertilization.

5. Spray anti-drop agents

Spraying naphthalene acetic acid or other anti-drop agents after flowering has a significant effect on promoting fruit set and reducing physiological fruit drop. It should be noted that the concentration must be applied strictly according to the instructions on the label, and the dosage must not be increased or decreased at will.

6. Prevention and control of pests and diseases

If the trunk of the apple tree rots, it is rot disease, and methyl thio naphthalene acetic acid has a good effect; if the fruit rots, it is ring rot disease or anthracnose, and methyl thiophanate, metconazole, tebuconazole, etc. have relatively good effects.

The above are the causes of apple tree fruit drop and related prevention and control measures brought to you by Qinnongwang. Apple trees only bloom once and bear fruit once a year. Generally, fruit growers do not want their fruit trees to drop too much fruit. It is hoped that by reading this article, some help can be provided to all fruit growers.