How to encourage crab apple tree growth?

[ashyghanda]

Been 3 years and my crabapple tree hasn't grown in height at all. Sometimes gets a bud on it but that's it. Can anyone help

   

[ashyghanda]

And does anyone know a good fertiliser ?

[JacobZ]

Hi @ashyghanda,

A warm welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community, it is fantastic to have you with us.

Young fruit trees frequently spend 2–4 years developing a robust root system; during this time, minimal top growth is normal and necessary for long‑term vigour, although little to no growth over 3 years is a bit odd.

Are you aware of what soil type you have? 

Stunted growth will often be related to soil conditions, and things like a heavy clay layer stopping the roots from breaking through could certainly be a factor. If you dig down around 30cm in the bare patch of the garden bed, can you take a photo of the soil and upload it?

If there is a heavy clay layer, then we would need to work on breaking it up through the use of gypsum, which is a clay breaker and compost, which will improve drainage, encourage varied microbiology in your soil as well as things like earthworms and burrowing insects that will help break through the clay layer.

In terms of fertiliser, I'd suggest Scotts Osmocote Citrus and Fruit Controlled Release Fertiliser. It is formulated specifically for use with citrus and fruit trees in mind. Sprinkle some at the base of the tree and water it in.

Allow me to tag our knowledgable gardeners, @Noelle, @mashthyme and @mich1972 for their thoughts and recommendations.

Jacob

[Noelle]

Hi @ashyghanda 

Is there any particular reason why the crab apple has a pot confining its root system?

[ashyghanda]

It's just a cover . Doesn't go into the ground

[ashyghanda]

Soil has no clay in it. Using osmocote fertiliser. Before putting tree in added rich soil improver and compost.

[MitchellMc]

Hi @ashyghanda,

I note that your soil is exceptionally sandy. Surrounding the plant, under the mulch, is it just about pure sand? How large a hole did you dig and fill with rich soil improver and compost before planting? If your soil is mainly sand, then you would have needed to dig quite a large hole, say 60cm wide and 60cm deep and then fill it with quality mix. Any less than that, and the new roots would now be seeking out nutrients in the surrounding sandy soil, which would be relatively devoid of them.

Just outside the pot ring, could you pull back the mulch and show us the condition of the soil?

Mitchell