Ballerina Apple Tree

Hello folk.

I'm not very good in the edible gardening scene but do have several fruit trees I'm still learning about.

I have had this Ballerina Apple tree for about four years which I brought from the IoW .... previously my neighbour had it for several years. This is the first year I have seen this .... it has it's crop of apples having bloomed several months ago, but now it's blooming again at the same time. Is this normal?

 

Basically, LOL, no. How have you been pruning it? It doesn`t look to happy.

 

Evening David.

No, it's never been pruned ... you don't prune these trees .... it's VERY happy with lots of apples attached to the trunk! I've never known it to look any different in all it's life .... I'm sure you are familiar with Ballerina trees ?????

http://www.flemings.com.au/homegarden/ballerina.asp?CULT_ID=BAL10WEB

They are tall twigs with fruit attached to the stem. I 'think' mine may be a Bolero. It always has green skins flushed with pink, the flesh is flushed pink and crisp and delicious.

My question is do apple trees fruit and bloom at the same time as lemons and oranges do?

 

Generally no... they flower in spring and then fruit

 

As your tree is in Portugal I would expect that you would get better advice if you put your question on a Portuguese site. The difference in climate between there and the Isle of Wight is probably the main factor!

 

Thank you for your suggestion, Prastio

I have been coming to Portugal for 25 years and have lived here now for seven years and, albeit hotter, our fruiting/flowering seasons are similar, things are often just a bit ahead of the UK.

The lane to my house, about 200 meters long, is lined on one side by an orange orchard and on the other by a tangerine/orange orchard bordered by lemon, plum, apple and loquat trees (these protect the orange trees from any frost). The citrus fruit bloom and fruit all year round, ie, an orange tree will have blooms, green oranges and orange oranges on it at the same time. The plum, apple and loquat trees bloom in the spring followed by the fruit.

I have not seen Ballerina apple trees here and mine has only ever bloomed in the spring and then fruited ..... until now .... guess it's just having a mad moment. I'll come back here if it actually bears fruit on the second set of blooms.

 

I haven't seen many citrus trees blooming and fruiting all the year round on the Isle of Wight! I suggest that you have become acclimatised to your sunnier climes and don't appreciate how much difference just a few degrees of temperature and a slightly longer Summer can make.

Your location sounds blissful, by the way.

 

hello lady of leisure

we are holidaying in portugal on the 14th sept for 10 days just wondered which area you are in ??
we are flying to lisbon so will be in that area when we have picked a villa :rolleyes:

can you tell me what the weather will be like about that time if you know at all ?

and sorry i can't answer your question i have no idea about trees

many thanks lisa :thumb:

 

Olá Senhora dos Gatos!

I am in Algarve, the southern most province in Portugal. I believe Lisbon is in Estramadura on the West Coast .... the province of Alentejo separates us. End April/beginning of May we went to Palmela for my 60th/our 40th .... Palmela borders Alentejo and Estramadura .... a most beautiful part of the country and we plan on going back again .... and again!

It takes us 2 1/2 hours (straight shot) to Palmela,, half an hour more to Lisbon.

Climatewise .... we are HOT then as I suspect Lisbon will be .... not much difference that time of the year.

If you would like to talk privately, please PM or e-mail me and I'll be happy to whitter away for hours on end.

PS I ADORE your avatar and have it on my whirly-go-round of cats as my screensaver ... long before you put it as your avatar .... so you always make me smile. :thumb:

 

Vicky, trust me. You DO prune Ballarina AND Minaret fruit trees.:thumb::D

 

Evening David .... there has NEVER been anything to prune on this tree in the give or take nine years I've known it. Sorry, sweetheart. x

 

That`s because it`s not in very good condition and is not growing well. What are you feeding it? How often are you watering? It needs to make growth, but for some reason this isn`t happening.

 

I have only one thing to say.

Climate.

 

I would agree with that, Tweaky.:thumb:

 

Evening David ....

I am feeding it coffee grounds .... nitrogen. ... and lots of water (twice a day) because its hot here strangely enough. I invite you to personally come look at it .... it is exceptionally healthy!


Tweaky ....... bother off ..... xx