5ft 'Bramley's Seedling' Apple Tree | M26 Semi Dwarfing Rootstock | 12L Pot | By Frank P Matthews™
'Bramley's Seedling' is the definitive English cooking apple. The fruits cook down to a smooth puree and as such are ideal for pies, crumbles, sauces, etc. They are famous for their sharp, acidic flavour and heavy crops. The fruits store well, lasting up for 3 months, so you will be able to enjoy great tasting apple dishes throughout the winter season and into the new year. The 'Bramley's Seedling' has been awarded the Award of Garden Merit given by the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS), which helps gardeners make informed choices about plants.
Variety Information
- Pollination: 3
- Self-Fertile: No - Triploid
- Harvesting: Period Late Estimated
- Time to Cropping: 2 Years
- Estimated Time to Best Yields: 5 Years
- Uses: Cooking, Juicing, Cider-Making
- Supplied As: 12L Pot
- Height on Arrival: 1.5m (5ft)
- Age: 2 Years with 4 year Rootstock
- Rootstock: M26
- Eventual Height & Spread: 3m 3.5m (10ft x 11.5ft)
Dwarfing rootstocks produce smaller trees than the one grown on its own roots. Some rootstocks have a greater dwarfing effect than others, with M27 producing the smallest tree. While having a smaller tree may sound like a negative, it is actually highly beneficial! Dwarfing trees will crop earlier in their lives; placing more energy into their fruiting instead of vegetative growth. Nonetheless, some dwarfing rootstocks, such as M26 and M27, need permanent staking to make sure that they aren't uprooted by strong winds.
Some apple trees are self-fertile, while others need a pollination partner from the same or neighbouring pollination group. Although self-fertile varieties form fruit without the help of a pollination partner, a pollination partner will still greaten their yields. Triploid trees cannot pollinate other trees, but they can be pollinated by another, and crabapples can pollinate apple trees.
Pots and Packaging
Larger pots (2L and above) are wrapped in waxed paper and then attached to a cardboard base so they stay stable in the box. The waxed paper prevents the compost from spilling out and gives the base some added protection from damp compost. For large numbers of plants, pallets may be used for shipping.
Preparation
The nursery will ensure the plant is moist while it's waiting to be picked up. Our quality control team waters the plant before packing them where necessary to make sure that the plant is suitably watered for transport. Plants with long delicate stems are secured with canes to prevent damage.
Plant on Arrival
Typically plants are delivered ready to plant and will take some time to settle, grow and look more like the product image above.
Bare root and containerised trees have differing planting requirements, detailed below:
- Watering: Bare root trees should have their roots soaked in water for up to 2 hours before planting, while with containerised trees, it is important to drench their root ball before planting.
- Pruning: Another difference is that for bare root trees, it is useful to prune their woody roots back a few inches. However, for containerised trees, you should free any spiralized roots growing around their rootball's circumference.
- Planting: With bare root trees, you should dig a hole to enable the graft point to be above the soil, while with containerised trees, the pot should sit no lower than an inch below the ground.
- With both, you should dig a hole that is twice the radius of their rootball. Stake your trees no more than 2 - 3 inches from the stem, and make sure that they are pointing away from the prevailing wind.
- Fill the planting hole with a mix of compost and garden soil, finishing with fertiliser and mycorrhizal fungi. Take care to not compress the soil.
- Once you are happy with your efforts, give your tree a generous watering.
- Add mulch on top (this can be bark and wood chippings, compost, manure, leaf-mould, and stones), and ensure that these do not touch the stem of the tree.
- Tie the stake to your tree (and leave space for growth), and place a rabbit guard around your tree to protect it from harmful pests.
- Apply fertiliser and replace decomposed mulch come spring. When autumn arrives, remove fallen leaves to prevent the risk of disease. You should also make sure that the ties are not rubbing your tree.
Advice on hot and droopy plants
If your plants are looking a little wilted right now, don’t worry! Plants like to be filled with water to keep their structure, and when it’s hot that water evaporates.
Just give them an off-schedule watering and they’ll be right as rain in no time! Be careful not to flood them - plants don’t like extremes.
- Hardiness: Apple trees can be found growing in far colder regions than the UK, and therefore its mild winters will not affect your tree. One issue that can affect fruit trees is frost-damaged blossom, but this is rarely the case with apples that flower late.
- Position: In the UK, the greatest barrier to successful fruiting is a lack of sunlight, so be sure to plant your apple tree in full sun. Choosing a sheltered location will help prevent uprooting and allow your tree to leverage more resources into fruiting.
- Soil: Soil types can be an unwelcome confusion as many plants will adapt to their conditions. Nonetheless, less than ideal conditions will certainly limit your tree’s growth. Waterlogged soils will starve your tree of oxygen, which plays a key role in photosynthesis; causing its roots to rot and creating an optimal environment for disease.
| Harvesting Period | Mid (Aug-Sep), Late (Sept-Oct) |
|---|---|
| Harvest Month | August, September, October |
| Is Collection/Mix? | No |
| Needs Ericaceous Compost? | No |
| Self Fertile | No, Triploid |
| Spacing | 3.5 |
| Species | Apple Trees, Fruit Trees |
| Time To Crop | 2 Years |
| Type | Apple |
| Uses | Cider |
| Eventual Height | 2m-4m |
| Eventual Spread | 2m-4m |
| Pollination Group | 3 |
| Annual Rate Of Growth | Fast Growing |
| Rootstock | M26 Semi-Dwarfing |
| Supplied As | Potted |
| Rootstock | Semi Dwarfing |
| Supplied As | 9L-14L Pot |
| Type | Fruit Trees |
| Shop By Category | Fruit Trees |