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Apple

Complete care guide for premium tropical seedling. Follow these instructions for optimal growth and maximum yield.

Category

tropical

Price

KES 1,000

Time to Fruit

9 months

Complete Care Guide

Detailed care instructions for growing your Apple seedling successfully

Watering

Requires 1000-1800mm rainfall per year. Irrigation should be managed according to the main growth stages: Budbreak-flowering, Beginning of rapid shoot growth, Beginning of fruit fill, Harvest, Leaf fall. Drip irrigation is the best because it is precise. Regular watering is essential, especially during fruit development stages.

Sunlight

Full sun (6+ hours) required for optimal growth and fruit production. Avoid shaded areas to maximize yields and fruit quality.

Soil Requirements

Fertile, well-drained and well-aerated loamy-sandy soil, with a slightly acidic to alkaline pH of 5.5-6.5. Land preparation involves bush clearing, removing obstacles such as stones and rocks. Land for planting apples is prepared to a fine tilth. The top soil from the established hole is separated from the subsoil and mixed with 250g of TSP and 20kg of manure. On placing the tree inside the hole, the topsoil is first replaced and firmed around the root region to avoid air pockets. The subsoil is used to cover the hole and care should be taken as to level the planting hole with the surrounding area.

Temperature

Requires altitude of 1800m-2800m above sea level. Cool to moderate temperatures (10-20°C) are ideal. Some varieties like Wambugu Apple do well in all climates and mature only within 9 months. Wambugu apples are also highly disease resistant.

Fertilizer

Apply balanced NPK fertilizer during growing season. Use organic manure (20 kg per hole) at planting. Apply NPK 10-5-5 yearly, adjusting based on growth stage and soil conditions.

Spacing

Plant spacing is done depending on the rootstock, variety and the altitude of the site. The holes are dug in a square or rectangular layout. Recommended spacing is 3m X 2m or 3m X 3m. Adjust spacing based on variety and expected tree size.

Time to Fruit

Wambugu apples mature within 9 months. Fruiting occurs throughout the year as flowering takes place all through. 40-50 fruits a tree are harvested during the 1st year and this increases with time: 2nd year- 500+ fruits a tree, 3rd year -700+ fruits a tree, 5 years - 2000+ fruits a tree. A kilo holds 9-10 fruits. 1 kg could be sold at KES 300- KES 400. Do not plant Wambugu apple on leased land. It has very long lifespan. You can intercrop Wambugu with Beans or other crops for mulching or soil nutrition improvement.

Pest & Disease Management

  • Watch for codling moth and other common apple pests. Wambugu apples are highly disease resistant. Best quality and high yielding apples are produced through grafting. Seed propagation is used for rootstock production. The most common apple variety grafted locally is the famous Wambugu Apple. Other apple varieties grown include (mild flavor with a hint of banana, adapts to various climates)
  • Anna (sweet-tart, red skin with yellow patches, needs minimal chill, perfect for warm areas)
  • Top Red (early-bearing, bright red, crisp texture)
  • Braeburn (high yield, sweet-tart, red stripes on yellow)
  • Fuji (long shelf life, very sweet, crisp texture)
  • Golden Dorsett (low chill requirement, complements Anna for pollination, golden yellow, sweet flavor)
  • Cripps Pink/Pink Lady (late maturity, pink appearance, sweet-tart flavor)

Growing Timeline

Phase 1

Planting

Prepare soil, plant seedling, water thoroughly

Phase 2

Establishment

Regular watering, fertilizer application

Phase 3

Growth

Pruning, maintenance, pest management

Phase 4

Fruiting

Harvest and ongoing maintenance

Common Issues & Solutions

Slow Growth

Ensure adequate sunlight (6 hours) as specified. Apply appropriate fertilizer and maintain proper watering schedule. Check for root-bound conditions.

Poor Fruit Set

Ensure plant has reached maturity (Wambugu apples mature within 9 months. Fruiting occurs throughout the year as flowering takes place all through. 40-50 fruits a tree are harvested during the 1st year and this increases with time: 2nd year- 500+ fruits a tree, 3rd year -700+ fruits a tree, 5 years - 2000+ fruits a tree. A kilo holds 9-10 fruits. 1 kg could be sold at KES 300- KES 400. Do not plant Wambugu apple on leased land. It has very long lifespan. You can intercrop Wambugu with Beans or other crops for mulching or soil nutrition improvement.). Apply potassium-rich fertilizer during flowering. Maintain proper temperature and pollination conditions. Ensure adequate water during flowering.

Yellow Leaves

Often indicates nutrient deficiency or overwatering. Check soil moisture and apply balanced fertilizer according to care guide. Test soil pH and adjust if needed.

General Pest Problems

Use neem oil spray and maintain good sanitation. Remove affected leaves. Follow integrated pest management practices. Monitor regularly for early detection.

Quick Reference

Min Temperature

10°C

Ideal Sunlight

6+ hrs

Water Frequency

Regular

Soil pH

6.0-7.0

Ready to start growing?

Order this premium Apple seedling today and begin your agricultural success story