A bonsai term. In order to make a tree fit into a smaller footprint, species are selected based on how well they will grow oppertunistic buds on branches and trunks. Some specie do it better than others, apple is one of those.Decado wrote:Trunk's fine. What's back budding?
This is a little worrying.Decado wrote:Another thing I was wondering, since this is it's 3rd summer will I finally see more than just an inch or 2 of growth?
I know the tree is semi dwarf, I don't know about the root stock number though. The trees seem healthy they just don't like to grow. I planted them in my lawn but made the holes plenty big and I cover it with wood and grass mulch, I give them kelp meal and bone meal a couple times during the growing season. Could the fact that my grass is super invasive be causing problems with the trees?JONA878 wrote:This is a little worrying.Decado wrote:Another thing I was wondering, since this is it's 3rd summer will I finally see more than just an inch or 2 of growth?
A young tree like yours should be growing much stronger than that ....unless.
1. You have a very poor tree in the first place.
2. You have a tree on a very dwarfing stock.
3. The root stock is far too weak for the type of soil you have it planted in. ( for instance....a root stock nine on a very heavy soil will practically cease to grow)
So providing the tree seems healthy in every other respect, all you can do is give it plenty of feed and water during the season and do not let it over crop.
Not sure what I can do, I pull it and mulch a lot. It's so invasive.JONA878 wrote:It would help to remove the grass competition from around the tree for a while Decado.
The main problem though with grass is that it does use a great deal of the water that is available.
Keeping a small area clear will also allow you to give the tree a good mulch around its base which will also keep the soil moist.
IMO this is most likely your problem to slow growth.JONA787 wrote:3. The root stock is far too weak for the type of soil you have it planted in. ( for instance....a root stock nine on a very heavy soil will practically cease to grow)
So providing the tree seems healthy in every other respect, all you can do is give it plenty of feed and water during the season and do not let it over crop.
Don't I run the risk of hurting the roots?tomc wrote:IMO this is most likely your problem to slow growth.JONA787 wrote:3. The root stock is far too weak for the type of soil you have it planted in. ( for instance....a root stock nine on a very heavy soil will practically cease to grow)
So providing the tree seems healthy in every other respect, all you can do is give it plenty of feed and water during the season and do not let it over crop.
Spade some bark mulch into soil around your tree