DWARF APPLE TREE FULL OF FRUIT

We had a downpour of rain this morning, so much so that the noise of it actually woke me up.  It is very welcome because we are still having a prolonged period without rain here in the UK.  They say it is the longest dry spell we have had since 1976.  That's 42 years!  I have to be imagining it but it seems like the James Grieve apples on my miniature apple tree have grown much bigger overnight. 

James Grieve apples on miniature apple tree

James Grieve apples on miniature apple tree

 The thing is, as I mentioned in an earlier post, the apple tree is actually a Coronet 'family' apple tree and originally had Cox's Orange Pippin apples growing on it, but that branch seemed disease and so, taking a chance, I cut it right off.  (You can just see the stump of that diseased branch on the trunk, under the labels in the images). The chance was that I could end up with no apples at all as, although James Grieve is somewhat self-fertile, it benefits with having another type of apple tree with which to cross-pollinate.  Like a Cox's Orange Pippin.  So, all things considered, and also considering I have done a fair amount of thinning-out of the apples, it's not a bad crop. 



James Grieve apples on miniature apple tree

By the way, the apples are absolutely outstanding.  If you like an apple with crunch, with that tang of acid, this might be the one for you.  James Grieve can be used both as a dessert apple or for cooking.  Not a bad apple to have if you only have a mind to grow one type.  You know, I saw a full size James Grieve apple tree when I visited East Riddlesden Hall recently.

James Grieve apples on miniature apple tree