Why Apple Trees Keep Dropping Fruit and How to Fix It

Experienced fruit growers all know one principle: the higher the fruit set rate during the flowering stage of apple trees, the greater the yield at harvest. But during the fruiting stage, some growers find that their apple trees keep dropping apples. If the amount is small, it does not matter much, but once the amount is large, it affects the grower's income. Today Qinnong Net will explain the reasons why apple trees drop fruit, and what to do about apple trees dropping fruit.

I. Reasons Why Apple Trees Drop Apples

In fact, the phenomenon of apple trees dropping fruit is not uncommon, because apple trees naturally drop fruit as part of their normal growth process. However, fruit drop can also be caused by unhealthy factors. Let's take a look together with Qinnong Net!

1. Natural fruit drop

Apple trees naturally drop fruit during the fruiting period; this is one of their growth habits, so there is no need to worry too much about it. 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

Excessively vigorous apple trees can also produce fruit drop. The root cause is improper fertilizer application. Apple trees may drop fruit because of too much nitrogen fertilizer, or insufficient phosphorus and potassium, causing an imbalance in the carbon-to-nitrogen ratio within the tree, which leads to excessive vegetative growth and an imbalance between vegetative growth and reproductive growth, causing heavy fruit drop. It is also possible that the apple tree bears few fruits, so a large amount of nutrients has nowhere to go and is instead sent to the vegetative branches for growth, which can also cause excessive tree vigor.

3. Fruit drop caused by pests and diseases

This situation requires careful observation. If the fallen apples show signs of rot, or if the trunk of the apple tree has rotted, you should consider whether pests or diseases have occurred in the orchard. Diseases such as rot disease, ring rot, and anthracnose can all cause apple trees to drop apples.

II. What to Do When Apple Trees Drop Apples

To prevent apple trees from dropping fruit, you must first analyze the specific cause of the fruit drop, and then treat the root cause accordingly. Do not take measures blindly. Let's look at the details below.

1. Bend branches to open the angle

Use propping, pulling, and other methods to change the direction of upright apple branches so that the branches spread out. This can enhance ventilation and light penetration in 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 pinch tips skillfully

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. Supplement fertilizer and water reasonably

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

4. Use foliar fertilizer frequently

During the young fruit stage, spray the leaves once every 7 to 10 days with amino acids, rare earths, or other micro-element fertilizers. The spraying should be careful, uniform, and thorough. 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. Note that the concentration must be applied strictly according to the instructions, and the amount used must not be increased or decreased at will.

6. Pest and disease control

If the trunk of the apple tree rots, it is rot disease, and methamidophos naphthalene acetic acid works well; if the fruit rots, it is ring rot or anthracnose, and thiophanate-methyl, metconazole, tebuconazole, etc. work better.

The above are the reasons for apple trees dropping fruit and the related control measures brought to you by Qinnong Net. 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. We hope that reading this article can provide some help to fellow fruit growers.