Why Are My Apples So Small? Causes and Solutions

As an apple tree owner, your goal is to harvest big, crisp, juicy apples. But despite your best efforts, you end up with fruits that are tiny and underdeveloped. So what causes apples to be so small? Read on to learn the key reasons behind small apples and solutions to help your tree produce larger, tastier fruits

Common Causes of Small Apples

There are several potential factors that can result in disappointingly small apples:

• Overcrowding – Too many fruits competing for the tree’s resources results in small apples. Apple trees can set more blossoms and fruits than they can support.

• Biennial Bearing – Apple trees tend to bear heavy crops one year followed by a light crop or no fruit the next. The heavy crop exhausts the tree so fewer resources go to fruit development the following year.

• Harsh Weather – Extended heat, drought, rain during pollination, late spring frosts, etc. can stress the tree leading to reduced fruit set and small apples.

• Diseases & Pests – Problems like apple scab, codling moth, brown rot, etc. rob energy, damage fruit, and cause drop. This limits fruit size.

• Poor Pollination – Inadequate pollen transfer due to lack of pollinators or compatible pollinizer trees results in weak fruit set and stunted growth.

• Nutrient Deficiencies – Lack of essential nutrients limits the tree’s ability to set and expand fruit. Nitrogen, boron, and calcium are especially important.

• Root Damage – Restricted roots from girdling, pot-binding, compacted soil, etc. reduces nutrient and water uptake needed for good fruit development.

• Insufficient Light – Too much shade leads to poor fruit bud formation and small fruits unable to fully mature,

Once you pinpoint the factor(s) involved, take corrective actions to get your apple tree producing the large, high-quality fruits you want next season.

Solutions for Small Apples

Here are some tips to prevent and correct issues with small apples:

Thin Overcrowded Fruit – In early summer, remove small apples to leave one fruit per 6 inches of branch for dessert apples or 8-10 inches for cooking apples. This ensures adequate resources per apple.

Prune for Good Structure – Prune to open up the canopy to light and air. Remove inward facing branches and crowded areas. Promote an open vase shape.

Fertilize Judiciously – Apply a balanced 10-10-10 fertilizer in early spring and a nitrogen fertilizer after fruit set. Excess nitrogen leads to more small apples.

Control Pests & Disease – Implement preventive measures like sanitation, dormant oil sprays, etc. If problems arise, use organic pesticides as needed. Get professional help for serious issues.

Select Pollinizers – Plant compatible apple varieties that bloom at the same time nearby for cross-pollination.Include flowering shrubs and herbs to attract pollinators.

Improve Soil & Roots – Amend soil with compost, avoid compaction and girdling, and occasionally rejuvenate potted trees with fresh soil. Address damaged roots.

Choose Less Susceptible Cultivars – When selecting apple tree types, opt for cultivars with disease resistance, late bloom times, and a tendency for large fruit.

Protect from Weather – Use irrigation during droughts. Cover blossoms during rains. Install windbreaks. Cover young trees and blossoms during late frosts.

Monitor Light Levels – Apples need full sun, which means at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily. If light is inadequate, prune back competing trees or relocate your apple tree.

With proactive orchard management and care for your apple trees, you can minimize issues with small, underdeveloped apples. Pay close attention in the year after a heavy crop when biennial bearing leads to smaller fruits. A little diligent care goes a long way for mature, robust apples.