Apple trees in the desert

[castanea]

"Apple Trees in the Desert

Many of the problems faced by tropic apple growers is because they treat their apple trees like they would a tropic fruit tree like avocado or mango. But apple tree roots are much more efficient in pulling up water and nutrients from the soil, which allows them to be grown in the desert. Unfortunately, they are often killed in the tropic nursery from over-watering with inadequate drainage, or mixing manure into the planting hole soil. The roots are either drowned or burned.

But the deep, efficient roots are valuable to the rural tropic apple farmer, as after the trees are established, they can survive the dry season just fine. Heat and cold will not bother them, and the vigorous roots are adaptable to poor soil. They may not grow as fast as a banana tree, but it will be around 100 years after the banana tree is gone."

www.kuffelcreek.com/applenursery.htm

Kuffel Creek Apple Nursery of Uganda, Ltd.

[Marches]

Jul 2, 2016 16:39:05 GMT -5 castanea said:

"Apple Trees in the Desert

Many of the problems faced by tropic apple growers is because they treat their apple trees like they would a tropic fruit tree like avocado or mango. But apple tree roots are much more efficient in pulling up water and nutrients from the soil, which allows them to be grown in the desert. Unfortunately, they are often killed in the tropic nursery from over-watering with inadequate drainage, or mixing manure into the planting hole soil. The roots are either drowned or burned.

But the deep, efficient roots are valuable to the rural tropic apple farmer, as after the trees are established, they can survive the dry season just fine. Heat and cold will not bother them, and the vigorous roots are adaptable to poor soil. They may not grow as fast as a banana tree, but it will be around 100 years after the banana tree is gone."

www.kuffelcreek.com/applenursery.htm

Kuffel Creek Apple Nursery of Uganda, Ltd.

Can't think of the name, but wondering if the hardy Russian variety that has a large tap root would be useful in breeding a variety for the desert because of the taproot. Sometimes adaptations for harsh winters translate into useful traits for arid ones.

[castanea]

An Uganda apple grower:

"Apples lifted me from poverty - Kisolo

I love farming and I believe it is my calling. I grow different types of fruits like passion fruits, cocoa and avocados but I major in apples

However, out of the 25 farmers who underwent that training, I am the only one who remained growing apples. Because I have persisted and have stood the test of time.
There are now more than 500 apple trees on my farm, managed 96 per cent by us (as family members). The four per cent represents the input from the technical personnel, whenever the need arises.
I grow a variety of apples including Tropical, Hannah, Golden Delicious, Mexican, Green Giant and Winter Banana, which is the pollinator.

The latter attracts the bees, which visit other plants. Winter banana is very vital when growing apples. Each plant especially if its Golden Delicious and Green Giant, it can yield more than 300 fruits. This is compared to the other types can yield 40-50 fruits."


www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Farming/Apples-lifted-poverty-Kisolo/-/689860/3281406/-/kavdfvz/-/index.html

[prairiegarden]

Jul 8, 2016 3:55:53 GMT -5 Marches said:

Can't think of the name, but wondering if the hardy Russian variety that has a large tap root would be useful in breeding a variety for the desert because of the taproot. Sometimes adaptations for harsh winters translate into useful traits for arid ones.

 I've been told apple trees grown from seed all have tap roots, which they lose or alter  when they are transplanted. No idea if it's true, but some people are using that as another reason to grow trees from seed where they are planted,rather than buying grafted rootstock.  It may be one of those internet things though.

You may be thinking of the antonovka apple tree which is widely used as rootstock for cold climate apples, although  I believe it is a standard  sized tree. Both apples I planted this year are on that rootstock.

[Marches]

Jul 25, 2016 0:32:48 GMT -5 prairiegarden said:

Jul 8, 2016 3:55:53 GMT -5 Marches said:

Can't think of the name, but wondering if the hardy Russian variety that has a large tap root would be useful in breeding a variety for the desert because of the taproot. Sometimes adaptations for harsh winters translate into useful traits for arid ones.

 I've been told apple trees grown from seed all have tap roots, which they lose or alter  when they are transplanted. No idea if it's true, but some people are using that as another reason to grow trees from seed where they are planted,rather than buying grafted rootstock.  It may be one of those internet things though.

You may be thinking of the antonovka apple tree which is widely used as rootstock for cold climate apples, although  I believe it is a standard  sized tree. Both apples I planted this year are on that rootstock.

Yes that is the one I had in mind.