1/4

In praise of fruit thinning.

It's that time of year again. If you have fruit trees it's time to help the 'June drop' along and thin out your fruit.

I find it really difficult, because you take off so many little fruits...

#ukgardening #gardening #growyourown #fruitthinning #apple

3/4

...There is less chance of branches breaking under the weight, especially with plums, but generally too.

You reduce the risk of biennial bearing - loads of fruit one year, almost nothing the next...

#ukgardening #gardening #growyourown #fruitthinning #apple

4/4

...Thinning fruit means you get a good crop of big, healthy fruit every year (other environmental factors allowing).

It's time consuming and needs a bit of practice choosing which fruits to pick, but it's really worth it.

#ukgardening #gardening #growyourown #fruitthinning #apple

2/4

...(apples, plums, pears etc.) it seems wasteful. But it really helps the tree.

Ventilation is better so less risk of fungal disease.

The tree puts more energy into the remaining fruit - so larger and healthier...

#ukgardening #gardening #growyourown #fruitthinning #apple

Fruit thinning continues with a plum today. They are very prone to overfruiting, which can lead to broken branches and small, unhealthy fruits if not addressed.

#gardening #garddio #horticulture #fruitthinning #plums

#FruitRes
Optimal fruit thinning with 2,000 mg/L carbaryl improves 'Fuji' apple quality on dwarfing interstocks, with NAA regulating key genes in fruit development.
Details: https://maxapress.com/article/doi/10.48130/frures-0024-0002
#AppleProduction #FruitThinning