Horticulture production (limited to fruit trees providing fruit for human consumption) is the second largest Australian agricultural industry, estimated to be worth $7.56 billion (based on data from a 2011- 2012 report by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF)). Therefore, if you want to invest in fruit trees you are in very good company.

A Useful Checklist For Growing Apples

Apples represent the second largest portion of the Australian fruit industry worth $464.5 million; just a slightly lower amount than bananas which are worth $468.8 million. Fortunately, apples can be found growing in all the six Australian states. Therefore, you have quite a good chance of rearing a good apple orchid wherever you are.

However, you must observe various requirements, recommended by the Ministry for Culture and Heritage of the New Zealand Government, for your fruit trees to thrive:

I. Climatic Conditions

Apple trees require a cool to cold winter period for a dormant (rest) period, combined with mild summers. There should also be cool autumn seasons with dewy nights and reasonable amounts of rainfall. Such conditions are ideal for consistent production of the highest quality of red-colored dessert apples. However, there exist some apple varieties, such as the Cripps Pink that posses the capacity to flourish in areas with much warmer summer period.

The growing season is particularly critical, which necessitates consistently available moisture. Also take note that hail can seriously damage your fruit trees. You can try to avoid such damage by erecting special protective net fabrics over your plants.

II. Soil Conditions

The first aspect to consider is soil pH. The optimum soil pH range for good apple growth is 5.5 to 6.5.

The second aspect is quality of the soil. No plant would ever thrive on poor soils. Hence, the soil should contain enough nutrients to sustain plant growth. It should also be deep and well-drained, which allows greater penetration of roots. This is essential if you want your apple trees to withstand dry periods. Root rots would also be averted during excessively wet seasons. If drainage is poor, you can enhance it by installing drainage pipes before planting.

II.I Selecting The Best Site

Selection of a particular site for planting will influence the growth of your fruits trees. Various aspects to consider in selecting a site include:

(i) Frost: Although highlands offer good climatic conditions, they can be affected by low air temperatures. This damages apple trees in the short period before and after blossoming. The worst areas are usually valley floors with insufficient slope and obstructed by dense timber. Lower parts of slopes also face a similar hazard, especially if they don't have enough downside to accommodate air drainage.

(ii) Aspect: Hillsides facing the south are generally hazardous to growth of apple trees. This is because cold southerly airstreams occur during early spring. These winds cause cold conditions that hinder proper movement of pollinating insects at a time when the apple trees are blossoming. Some southerly facing slopes may be adequately protected by the surrounding topography. However, north facing slopes are generally the best for growing apple trees since they have less exposure to cool southerly winds, hence they are much warmer. Moreover, these slopes absorb more heat from the sun. Such conditions enhance growth of apple trees leading to earlier maturity of fruit trees.