Why does an apple tree always drop its apples

Experienced fruit growers all know one principle: the higher the fruit set rate of an apple tree during its flowering and fruit-setting period, the greater the yield at harvest time. But during the fruiting period, some growers find that their apple trees keep dropping apples. If the amount is small, it is not a problem, but a large amount will affect the grower's income. Today Qinnong Web will explain the reasons why apple trees drop fruit, and what to do when apple trees drop fruit.

I. Reasons why apple trees drop apples

In fact, the phenomenon of apple trees dropping fruit is not uncommon, because the apple tree itself has the phenomenon of fruit drop, which is a normal growth process, but there is also fruit drop caused by unhealthy reasons. Let's take a look together with Qinnong Web!

1. Natural fruit drop

Apple trees will naturally drop fruit during the fruiting period; this is one of their growth habits, and 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 fertilizer application. Apple tree fruit drop may be due to too much nitrogen fertilizer, or insufficient phosphorus and potassium, causing an imbalance in the carbon-to-nitrogen ratio in the tree, which leads to excessive vegetative growth, an imbalance between vegetative growth and reproductive growth, and causes 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 can only be supplied to vegetative branch growth, which also causes excessive tree vigor.

3. Fruit drop caused by pests and diseases

In this case, you need to pay attention and observe. If the fallen apples show signs of rot, or the trunk of the apple tree has rotted, you should consider whether pests and diseases have occurred in the orchard. Diseases such as rot disease, ring rot, and anthracnose will 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. 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 branches by propping, bending, and other methods so that the branches spread apart. This can enhance ventilation and light penetration in the apple tree, inhibit overly 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 in 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 apples, do not promote 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. Frequently use foliar fertilizer

During the young fruit period, spray the leaves with amino acids, rare earths, or other micro-fertilizers once every 7 to 10 days. Spraying should be meticulous, 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 reduced at will.

6. Pest and disease control

If the trunk of the apple tree rots, it is rot disease, and methionine 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 tree fruit drop and related prevention and control measures brought to you by Qinnong Web. 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 all fruit growers.