ratio of pollinator apple trees for 'Discovery' apple

smb09

If I will plant 30 'Discovery' apple trees (one cultivar only), how many (minimum number) pollinator apple trees do I need to buy?

pansyface

That would depend to some extent on how many other apple trees were nearby in other people’s gardens and how many pollinating insects were active in the area, the warmth of the weather and how easily they were able to visit your trees.

steephill

One flowering crab apple will do the job. Are these going to be grown in your research growing room or outdoors? If indoors then how are pollinating bees going to get access or do you plan to hand pollinate?

smb09

Thank you steephill for the reply. I will hand pollinate those trees in the growth chambers; but for the other trees going outdoors, I'd let the bees do the work.

smb09

thanks pansyface for the reply. there are no other apple trees in the area, and the place is quite shaded.

Lyn

Could I ask what you are actually doing with all these apple trees, that’s 60 so far? 

smb09

It's for a research study. I'll be working with one cultivar only, so i just need enough number of pollinator trees to facilitate fruit set..  

Lyn

And just to confuse us, you’ve changed your name😀

smb09

Sorry Lyn, but I don't intend to confuse you or anyone here. I'm seeking for technical assistance. I'm just new to this forum and I didn't know changing my name would even get noticed.