Apple trees produce fruit in such a way that they are self-sterile and always need pollen from another apple tree for fertilization during the apple blossom to produce a harvest. This pollination can be ensured using various measures.
How to pollinate an apple tree?
To successfully pollinate an apple tree, you should plant different apple varieties next to each other, attract insects such as bees and bumblebees and, if necessary, even transfer pollen by hand with a brush.
Plan different types of apples in the garden
Since apple trees are self-sterile, neither pollen from the flowers of the same tree nor those from a tree of exactly the same variety can be used for fertilization. It is therefore a good idea to plant as many different types of apples side by side as possible in your own garden. You can do without this if there are other apple trees in the neighborhood. While the varieties Boskoop, Jonagold and Jakob Fischer, for example, are only poorly suited as pollen donors, the following varieties can serve well as pollinator trees:
- Berlepsch
- Alkmene
- Piros
- Pinova
- Pilot
- Rewena
- Reglindis
Encourage and attract insects for pollination
Since bees, unlike many other insects, are flower-continuous, they have a special role in pollinating fruit plants. But you shouldn't underestimate flying insects such as bumblebees and wild bees when pollinating your apple trees. You can encourage the presence of these flying insects on site if you create an ideal living and nesting space in your own garden with a so-called insect hotel (€26.00 on Amazon). You also promote the quality of the location and the reproduction of your apple trees if you ensure a large supply of nectar and pollen in the garden all year round with suitable flowering plants.
Use a soft brush for pollination yourself
In some areas of Asian countries, due to the extinction of various insect species, it is already necessary for apple farmers to pollinate their trees by hand using a brush and apple pollen. If you only have one apple tree in your garden or only see a few flying insects, it might be worth trying pollination by hand. To do this, determine your own apple variety and get a branch of a different variety when the apple blossoms. Then, use a soft brush to transfer the pollen from this branch to the pistils of your apple tree.
Tips & Tricks
If there is enough space in the garden, it is always recommended to combine several varieties for ideal pollination and an extended harvest time. Especially with espalier trees, the alternating arrangement of different varieties can be easily achieved even in limited space.
