The apple tree is in beautiful blossom. And now the weather service has announced frost. If all the flowers freeze, there will be no apples. What can you do to get a good apple harvest despite the freezing cold?
How do I protect apple blossoms from frost?
To protect apple blossoms from frost damage, you can set up frost candles, install a frost sprinkler system or cover the tree with fleece. These methods increase the ambient temperature and prevent the flowers from freezing.
How do I save my apple blossoms from frost damage?
It is important to increase theambient temperatureof the apple blossoms. Four methods are available:
- Frost candles are set up under the tree and left to burn during the night under supervision (!).
- You are installing aFrost irrigationsystem.
- You protect your apple tree with fleece.
Unfortunately, these methods are sometimes expensive. You can calculate whether the cost-benefit ratio is right for you.
Why does irrigation protect my apple blossoms from frost?
It sounds paradoxical: ice can protect you from freezing. TheFrost protection systemsprays water onto the flowers, which solidifies on the branches in the cold night to form aice layer. By freezing, i.e. the change in the aggregate state, the water releases so-called heat of crystallization. This prevents the apple blossoms from freezing. Other types of fruit can also be protected from frost in this way.
Which apple tree variety blooms late and is not at risk of frost?
Aoldandtried and testedapple tree species is e.g. B. theKlarapfel This variety blooms relatively late and produces apples in August that taste aromatic and sweet, but unfortunately cannot be stored. The popular Cox Orange apple, on the other hand, is considered to have little frost tolerance.
Some trees sometimes bloom in September. However, this is usually not a good sign, but rather indicates stress.
How much frost can apple blossoms tolerate?
As soon as the temperature drops below thefreezing pointon a frosty night, individual flowers on a fruit tree can be destroyed by the icy cold. At minus4, 7degrees, 90% of all open flowers aredestroyed A heavy late frost can unfortunately lead to crop failure. If the flower buds are still closed, they can withstand frosty temperatures down to minus 8 degrees without dying.
Tip
Where can I get late-blooming apple trees?
Most garden centers or hardware stores only sell the standard apple varieties. If you want to delve deeper into the subject of apple science, “pomology” and find really good varieties, you have to visit one of the few “rice cutting gardens”. Here you can get advice from professional fruit growers and discover the right apple varieties.
