Why Your Fruit Trees Are Struggling: Common Growing Errors

Planting fruit trees like apples, cherries, pears, or peaches is quite a rewarding and tasty endeavor. Here you control how the fruit is grown, ensuring it’s free from harmful chemicals. The flavor of freshly picked fruit far surpasses that of fruit that was harvested too early and shipped long distances.

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However, growing fruit trees is not as easy as it seems. The journey from planting to harvesting can be filled with mistakes that hinder your tree's growth and fruit production. To help you, we consulted a master arborist and conducted research to highlight common errors in fruit tree cultivation. Read on to discover these mistakes and learn the best practices to ensure your trees thrive and provide a bountiful harvest.

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Improper Land Preparation

Before planting, it is vital to prepare your site properly. This process can be complicated, so do it before ordering your trees. Remove any weeds and grass, as they can take away nutrients, water, and sunlight from your trees.

Weeds are particularly hard to eliminate once the trees are planted. To kill weeds and grass, cover the area with large thick mulch or a polythene, blocking out water and sunlight. Keep the cover on until the vegetation underneath has died. If you have time before planting, regularly tilling the soil over about 12 months can help clear the area of unwanted plants.

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Soil Type and Composition

Soil composition is crucial for the success of your fruit trees. Most need well-drained soil, especially peach trees, which struggle in wet, compacted clay.

The soil's pH level is also important. Ideal pH for fruit trees is between 6.0 and 6.5, which is slightly acidic. Start by testing your soil to see if it meets these needs. A soil test is affordable and can guide your next steps. If planting trees in different spots, check that all areas have similar pH levels. If adjustments are needed, add sulfur to lower the pH or lime to raise it. Remember, these changes take time; allow at least six months to a year for adjustments to take effect, and retest to check progress.

Wrong Timing When Planting

Timing is key when planting fruit trees. If you plant at the wrong time, the trees may not thrive. For optimal results, plant trees while they are dormant. Dormant trees have more carbohydrates stored in their roots, aiding growth. It is also ideal to plant trees during the rainy season even if you have water for irrigation. The atmosphere around the rainy season reduces shock as the soils have enough moisture and the air is very clean. Rainfall is also very rich in nitrogen; your fruit tree will thrive better for the few months between April and July in readiness to the drier months.  

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Improper Storage of Plants after Purchase

If you cannot plant your fruit trees right after you receive them, avoid storing them incorrectly. Poor storage can dry out the roots, hindering the tree's growth later on.

When considering how to store your trees, remember not to delay planting them for too long. Ideally, plant them as soon as you can, but do not wait more than two or three weeks. If you need to keep the trees before planting, find a cool spot that stays from direct sunlight. Protect the roots by keeping them slightly moist. You can cover the roots with damp soil, sand, or sawdust. If you have a bare-root tree, soak it in a bucket of water for about four hours before planting.

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Wrong Planting Depth

Planting a tree too deep is a significant issue because it's harder to fix than planting it too shallow. One major problem is scion rooting or burying the graft union. In a healthy tree, the scion—the part above the graft—should not develop roots. If the tree is too deep, roots can form here, harming the rootstock's health. Even if scion rooting doesn't happen, deep planting can slow the tree's growth. We have also seen farmers plant trees too deep such that the stem which forms part food manufacturing areas is buried too deep. The only plants that can be planted too deep are root tubers such as potatoes. The soil should just cover a few inches from where the rooting soil is.

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To prevent this, it’s important to plant fruit trees at the right depth. Before digging, measure to ensure the tree union is 4 to 6 inches above the ground. This helps keep the scion above the soil, even if the tree settles in moist earth. When planting on slopes, take extra care. Changes in the landscape can cause the tree to settle, which might bury the scion.

Improper Spacing

When setting up a fruit orchard, spacing is crucial. Young trees are small, making it hard to judge their future size. If trees are too close, it will be tough to pick fruit or prune them later. They will also compete for water, sunlight, and nutrients, affecting their growth.

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Consult your agronomist or expert on proper spacing for the different tree varieties that you intend to plant. Different trees have different growth patterns; some grow very tall and wide and need more space, while others have shrub-like characteristics and therefore need minimal spacing.

Improper Watering Program

Proper watering is vital for fruit trees, especially young ones. Insufficient water leads to drought stress, hindering growth and reducing fruit size. Trees may also drop fruit or leaves if they experience prolonged dry conditions.

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Water needs change as trees grow. Initially, provide about 1 inch of water weekly. If it isn’t raining, make it a priority to water your trees. Established trees require less frequent watering, about once a month, but you should water deeply each time. Watering in the morning helps the foliage dry, reducing disease risk.

Not Planning on Pollination

Pollination is key for fruit trees. Without it, flowers can’t be fertilized, and fruit won’t develop. Different fruit trees have unique pollination needs, which can lead to confusion during planting. 

Self-pollinating trees can fertilize their own flowers using pollen from nearby blooms or from their own blossoms. Many types fall into this category. In contrast, other fruit trees require cross-pollination, meaning pollen must be moved between flowers of different cultivars for fertilization to occur. To ensure these trees bear fruit, it's essential to plant multiple varieties for effective pollination. Researching the specific needs of your fruit trees is crucial before planting.

Lack of Knowledge on Fertilizer Requirements

If you're new to planting fruit trees, you might think they need the same fertilizer you've used for other trees. This assumption can be misleading. Standard fertilizers often have too much nitrogen for fruit trees. While nitrogen is necessary for growth, too much can lead to excessive leaf production at the expense of fruit.

When selecting fertilizer, focus on the nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (N-P-K) ratio. A recommended N-P-K ratio is around 17-17-17, which is standard as the fruit tree grows uniformly, it needs proper rooting from phosphorus, as good foliage growth from the nitrogen. Micronutrients like zinc, manganese, and iron are important for fruit trees to enhance overall growth and fruit quality.

Slow-Release and Fast-Release Fertilizers

In stores, you'll find both slow-release and fast-release fertilizers. Fast-release options can deliver too much nitrogen quickly, causing poor growth and potentially harming root systems. Instead, choose slow-release fertilizers. They provide nutrients steadily over time without damaging roots. Adding compost around the trees also encourages gradual nitrogen release, benefiting the trees and their fruit.

Pruning Schedule

Pruning fruit trees can also be tricky. A common error is not timing it right. Pruning in summer can hinder growth, while excessive pruning of young trees can delay fruit production and affect fruit quality.

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The best time to prune fruit trees is while they are dormant. This timing minimizes negative impacts on growth. For trees younger than 10 years, keep pruning light. Thinning out the limbs or shoots of your tree is essential. This process encourages better flower and fruit production. When you cut limbs, make sure to do so close to the branch collar, leaving no stub or partial growth.

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Lack of Proper Pest and Disease Management Know-How

Protecting your trees from pests is crucial. If ignored, pest issues can worsen, leading to less fruit, slow growth, and other serious problems. Consider both insects and certain animals that can harm your trees. To keep insects away without harsh chemicals, stay vigilant. Check your trees daily for any signs of pests. If you spot an infestation, act fast by using pheromone traps or sticky traps. Healthy trees withstand pests better, so follow proper planting and care guidelines for the best results.

Contact Richfarm Kenya via 0724698357/0723213602 to order certified, high-quality fruit and vegetable seedlings.