Nutrient deficiencies can greatly affect the performance and productivity of apple trees. When practicing organic farming, most of the fertilisers used are organic, although small amounts of chemical fertilisers are important. Apple trees require various micronutrients in high levels at different growth stages such as Calcium, Nitrogen, Potassium, Phosphorus, Sulphur, and Magnesium. Besides, they require small traces of micronutrients like Molybdenum, Iron, Cobalt, Silicon, Copper, Zinc, Manganese, Sodium, Boron, and Chloride. Nitrogen is required in large amounts in the early stages and when the trees are growing vigorously. During the flowering and fruiting stage, NPK formulations with a high potassium percentage should be applied or sprayed.
Some indications of nutrient deficiencies in apple plants include:
• Slightly red leaves indicate lack of nitrogen.
• Yellow and green patches on fruits is an indication of potassium deficiency.
• Corky areas on apple fruits indicate boron deficiency.
• Curling backward of leaves is an indication of phosphorus deficiency.
• Deformed fruits.
The amount of fertilisers required by apple trees varies depending on the soil fertility, manure applied, and the growth stage. Several things can happen when incorrect amounts of fertilisers are applied.
For instance, excessive application of fertilisers makes the plants concentrate on producing a lot of shoots and leaves instead of fruits.
Failing to use fertilisers or applying extremely little fertilisers can lead to nutrient deficiencies, stunted growth, and poor health. Besides, the plants under-perform and their ability to fight pests and diseases reduces.
Know when to apply
• Fertilisers should be applied three times per year.
• The first application should be done before flowering.
• The second application should be made after flowering.
• The third application should be done a month later
However, in the early growth stages, and during vegetative growth, fertilisers can be applied at different times of the year depending on the nutrients required. Fertilisers should, however, be applied at controlled rates. Manure and other organic products should be applied regularly to keep the soil healthy and fertile.
Mulching, especially young plants, minimises the growth of weeds, enhances the soil texture, increases the organic matter, minimises water loss through evaporation, and increases soil micro-organisms.
-
Quick View
SC Sungura 301 Maize Seed
Original price was: KSh 590.00.KSh 530.00Current price is: KSh 530.00.Read moreSc Sungura 301 is an Ultra early maturing variety that takes 72-80 days to physical maturity. It is an excellent alternative to Sorghum and Millet cropping. This variety is tolerant to weather challenges, with wide regional adaptation under marginal conditions.
-
Quick View
Poultry chicken Feeder
KSh 230.00 – KSh 700.00Select optionsInstallation is simple, easy to replenish and manage the chicken feed/water.Light in weight
Keeps the feed/water clean for poultry consumption.Provision for hanging to keep it off the ground. Allows for interior visualization to see the level of feed -
Quick View
Elastrator Plier Plastic
Original price was: KSh 1,400.00.KSh 975.00Current price is: KSh 975.00.Add to cartElastrator Plier Plastic: Economy blue plastic pliers for applying rubber bands to dock and castrate baby calves and lambs.
-
Quick View
Fugo Pig Sow and Weaner
Original price was: KSh 4,500.00.KSh 4,350.00Current price is: KSh 4,350.00.Add to cartSOW and Weaner are currently available in 50 kg.
Fugo Pig Sow and Weaner is well formulated to be fed to sows because it contains high levels of protein and nutrients to boost appetite. The nutrients will boost the production of lean meat from the pig.
-
Quick View
Gam Chaff Cutter
KSh 42,000.00 – KSh 65,000.00Select optionsQuality Chaff CutterTwo Blade or Three Blade
Hardened cutting Blade to withstand pressurePortable, high quality, ease of use, and high dependability -
Quick View
Easy Gro Starter 1kg
Original price was: KSh 855.00.KSh 625.00Current price is: KSh 625.00.Add to cartEasy gro Starter is a water soluble fertilizer with NPK 18:20:21 and micro-elements for foliar feeding and fertigation. Suitable for plant growth periods that require relatively high nitrogen and phosphorus levels especially during early stages of the plant/planting time. It boosts the plant and give it a healthy and stronger start. This fertilizer is highly water soluble product readily taken up by plants
-
Quick View
Amistar fungicide
Original price was: KSh 5,000.00.KSh 4,650.00Current price is: KSh 4,650.00.Add to cartAmistar is a strobilurin fungicide based on naturally occurring substances found in certain species of wild mushrooms. The active ingredient in Amistar, azoxystrobin, controls a very wide spectrum of disease in wheat and barley. AMISTAR not only controls the key late-season flag leaf and ear diseases that erode yield and quality, but also promotes a …
-
Quick View
SPINACH INDIAN PALAK 4GM
KSh 250.00Add to cart- Partial sunlight (summer), full sunlight (winter)
- Water everyday
- Can grow on the balcony or terrace
- Harvest in 4-5 weeks
- All seasons
-
Quick View
Vuna Fertilizer
Original price was: KSh 4,500.00.KSh 3,700.00Current price is: KSh 3,700.00.Add to cartVuna fertilizer is a crop specific and soil specified fertilizer, a compound blended containing 12 assential plant nutrients .
-
Quick View
Sticky Traps 20 Pack
Original price was: KSh 7,500.00.KSh 6,250.00Current price is: KSh 6,250.00.Add to cartSticky traps are glue-based traps which are frequently used in pest control to catch insects and other pests. The sticky traps consist of a sticky glue layer mounted on a piece of cardboard that is tailored into any structure to protect the sticky surface.
-
Quick View
Fugo Starter Crumbs
KSh 1,100.00 – KSh 5,320.00Select optionsFast Gro Fugo Starter Crumbs: A complete meal for broiler chicks that provide proper bone development for faster and uniform growth as well as resistance to feed borne diseases while maintaining a high growth rate and feed conversion ratio.