New apple tree failing

[fatgirlswims]

We planted a new apple tree. It’s about 2m in height and is a dwarf M26 rootstock.

since planting the leaves have curled and some of the fruits have dropped. It improved but today many leaves are yellow and falling off.

we planted it with a full bag of tree and shrub composts. And watered in and then had a few days of storms.

help!

It might be in shock. Ideally trees are better planted when they’re dormant in Autumn. Too much watering can also cause the leaves to turn yellow and drop. Leave it a few days and then water little and often rather than one big bucket. I’m sure it will perk up.

Completely wrong time of the year to plant an apple tree. They are best going in from autumn to the beginning of spring. The tree needs to establish its roots system in the colder months or it will go into shock and drop fruit before it’s ready.

I would get rid of this one and replant a new one later in the year. If not it will probably die anyway.

Thanks very much for replying. The nursery guarantee it for a year so we can try and nurture it and cross fingers!

Take all the remaining apples off it. Trying to produce fruit after being replanted is causing it too much stress.

How long ago did you plant it, and how often have you watered it since?

@thatsawhopperthatlemon
planted it 12 days ago. Watered it several times (very vague sorry) and had lots of storms.

is it a case of not enough water or too much water?

I will take the fruit off

many thanks

You don’t need to get rid of it! That’s a huge overreaction. I once dug up and replanted an apple tree in June - totally wrong time of year to do it but we chanced it and it was fine.

As PPs have said take fruit off and see how it goes.

You can't really overwater something in the ground unless you are on heavy wet clay. Taking the fruit off will help it to redirect its energy into establishing some roots. Fingers crossed it recovers.

Thanks I’m not getting rid of it! I’m going to try and save it

thanks all

A few things to think about. Was the root ball of the tree properly wet, as in soaked in a bucket of water for a few hours before planting? A dry rootball will not rewet once in the ground. You say you used a whole bag of compost but where did it go? Trees shouldn’t have compost under the rootball as this rots away and the tree will be planted too deep. Compost is best used as a mulch. Is it properly staked? Is it planted at the same depth as it was in the pot? How much water are you giving it? I’d be wanting to give it a 2 gallon/10 litre watering can full at least twice a week. If it’s in the lawn have you cleared a good circle of grass away from the tree?

Did you put the soil from the hole back into the hole after adding the whole bag of compost and firm it in well?