2010 seems set to be a great year for Apple Blossom. All around there seems to be vast quantities of blossom on each tree – let us hope there are enough Bees to go around when it comes to pollination.

I was surprised when I looked more closely at the size and colour on the blossom of different trees and have reproduced some varieties here. As you may remember there was a lot of frost damage on a row of cordons but, touch wood, my main trees remain unaffected.

The late arrival of warm weather is playing into the hands of pollination as most varieties seem to have opened at the same time. This will bring the insects out and help cross pollination to produce a good crop of Apples.

Glowering skies loom over this tree but showers of rain are an occupational hazard for Apple blossom. As long as the rain drains from the tree and is not trapped in pockets to cause wood rot there is no problem.

I have to admit to a spray regime after blossom fall to protect my fruit to deter insects

This eating apple has dark red skin and I will have to look in my old note book to remind me of the variety. Still I am not surprised to see that it has pinker blossom than the James Grieve.

Each blossom was larger than the old half-crown and made a wonderful sight.

• Quantity of blossom is not a guarantee of a large crop. (Lack of blossom would guarantee lack of fruit).
• Good pollination and the ‘June Drop’ when baby fruit are shed to ‘encourage the others’ both have a bigger impact.
• I will be thinning out the crop as well so I get fewer but bigger apples.
• Reach for the skies as I have to pick the apples that grow at the top of this tree. More pruning ‘me thinks’!

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