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Cox apple tree not fruiting

TootlesTootles Posts: 1,469
in Fruit & veg

Morning

 My cox orange pippin doesn't fruit. It's been in for five years and whilst it does blossom, the fruit doesn't develop. I live just on the border of where cox are recommended to grow. 

I'm in two minds as to whether or not to dig it out.  Any ideas as to what can be tried to give it one last chance?

thanks 

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Posts

  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Central Norfolk UKPosts: 58,670

    Cox's Orange Pippin needs a pollination partner from the right group in order to produce f ruit as it's self-sterile  ... is there one nearby?

    https://www.keepers-nursery.co.uk/searchpolpartner.aspx?id=COXORP 

    “I am not lost, for I know where I am. But however, where I am may be lost.” Winnie the Pooh







  • TootlesTootles Posts: 1,469

    Yep, when I bought the tree the nursery said to buy a James grieves to act as a pollinator. The James greeves produces lots of fruit.  It's about 20ft away from the cox. 

  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Central Norfolk UKPosts: 58,670

    Hmm ... maybe it's just going to take a bit longer ... 

    There's some info here which may help https://www.orangepippintrees.co.uk/articles/fruit-tree-age-when-fruiting-begins 

    “I am not lost, for I know where I am. But however, where I am may be lost.” Winnie the Pooh







  • WelshonionWelshonion Posts: 3,114

    Cox is one of the most difficult to grow sucessfully.  Why did you buy it if it is just on the edge of a suitable area?  Leave it to the professionals; they know all the sprays, etc the Cox will need.

  • ObelixxObelixx Vendée, Western FrancePosts: 19,447

    There's helpful WO!!

    Cox's Pippins are difficult but tasty and can be used as eaters or cookers so well worth persevering if the OP has the patience.   Otherwise, I'd consider finding another partner for the James Grieve and treating the Cox as ornamental for a few years.

    "We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing." - George Bernard Shaw
  • WelshonionWelshonion Posts: 3,114

    How interesting.  That's two people with the same advice - buy another, different apple tree.

    Coxes are lovely apples.

  • BobFlannigonBobFlannigon Posts: 619

    It's somewhat unhelpful to suggest you just buy another tree, we might just as well suggest you buy all your apples from a shop!

    Do both the trees flower at the same time? 

    Do you often get any frost during or after the tree blossoms?

    It might be that there simply aren't any pollinators.  It's well documented that our abundant use of pesticides and herbicides has a significant effect on bees.  If the answer to the above questions don't identify any problems maybe you could try to pollinate [some of] the tree by hand this year (using your other tree) and see if you get anything that way.

  • WelshonionWelshonion Posts: 3,114

    I assumed the OP would do some research first.

  • TootlesTootles Posts: 1,469
    Thanks for the advice. It always flowers, but not as well as the James G.  It flowers at the same time.
    Thanks for the pollinating tip, I'll give that a go. 
    I live on the border of where they can be grown, and not the other side of it! Plus, the garden centre where purchased is actually a specialist nursery and very highly regarded. I did ask their advice before I bought it and was told it would be fine. I've gone back since, and they said five years isn't very old so I should hang on. 
    I will give it some special care this year. I phoned into our local radio show, and the expert (John Stirland) said to do some root pruning and feed with potash. 
  • ObelixxObelixx Vendée, Western FrancePosts: 19,447
    Good luck.  Hope it works.
    "We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing." - George Bernard Shaw
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