Fruit drops and their importance

People who are adepts at gardening know that fruit trees commonly drop premature fruits and it is nothing more than a natural process of shedding a heavy fruit load.

Apples particularly are known to have several periods when this type of fruit drop occurs. The first fruit drop is right after the flower petals fall off and the life span of the tiny fruit is not more than three weeks. The fruits that drop are understandably the ones that did not get pollinated in time or the sperm cells from the pollen failed to reach the ovary.

With regard to most fruit varieties, lack of pollination occurs due to cold or wet weather or honeybee decline. Again, if the flower buds are exposed to freezing weather, then fruit drop may become inevitable.

A second drop takes place during late May or June when the fruits are about the size of marbles. This second drop is quite often called the "June drop." Apples and pears are notoriously prone to this second drop, as a result of competition between fruits for resources. Premature cherries are less likely to drop as readily as apples and pears and may stay on the tree for a longer period.

What people call a mid-summer fruit drop pertains mostly to plums. In apples, pears and cherries, mid-summer fruit drop is rare, unless there is a pest or disease infestation. Pre-harvest drop, occurs when fruit is infested with wormy pests that may cause premature ripening and fruit fall. It is a thumb rule that the picking season for fruits has commenced as soon as few mature fruits begin to fall off.

Experts say that most trees produce large quantities of flowers much in excess for a full crop and this is the chief reason why they are shedding fruits. Only one flower bloom in twenty is needed for a good crop, fruit drop in June can be nature's way of thinning the crop so the remaining fruit can survive and reach full size.

Most fruit trees have at least two seasons of fruit drop. The first occurs immediately after bloom and this is due to incomplete pollination. The second drop occurs three to four weeks later. The second called June drop is usually bigger and more dramatic because the fruits have developed to a larger size.

It is believed that fruit trees bear fruit when they become mature enough to blossom freely. It is also said that pollination, cultural practices and environment greatly influence the plant's ability to bear. Obviously growers do not have any control over these factors and have to depend on the whims of nature.

Some of the self-pollinating fruit, without outside agencies, are apricot, avocado, blackberry, citrus, fig, most domestic grapes, jujube, nectarine, peach, pomegranate, quince and strawberry. The fruits which rely on cross-pollination include apple, Japanese persimmon, pear, pecan, some varieties of plum and walnut.

Pecans deserve our special attention as a pre-pollination spray of zinc should produce large and healthy leaves. This spray should be applied 3 weeks after bud break. Then there are the pear problems. With spring blooms comes the pear horror named fire blight. It is so called because of the bacteria infection that causes limbs and blooms of trees to look as if scorched by fire. Unfortunately the best tasting pears such as Bartlett and Le Conte are the most susceptible.

So it is evident that fruit trees need constant care and attention. The object lesson is too many fruit are not good either for the tree or the fruit grower.
samehta is a Copywriter of flavored water, natural flavors, fruit drops .She written many articles in various topics such as flavored bottled water, bottled drinking water, flavored drops
. For more information visit: http://capellaflavordrops.com .

samehta is a Copywriter of flavored water, natural flavors, fruit drops .She written many articles in various topics such as flavored bottled water, bottled drinking water, flavored drops
. For more information visit: http://capellaflavordrops.com .