Spring Crab

mistermoyogi

This tree has flowered very well during the past few years including this year; however, subsequent fruit formation has been sparse....I am thinking that I should hand-pollinate it after the flowers are fully opened....I like the coloration at this stage a lot.

Regards,
Tom

Attached Images

2008 Crab.jpg (61.8 KB, 122 views)

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lagunamadre

Absolutely beautiful, Tom. I'm partial to trees where the foliage, at least, is wider than it is tall. This one is GREAT ! Thanks for sharing. Larry

Joanie

Love it! Do you have other crabs nearby? Keeping them close together sure helps.

Joanie

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BunjinEnt

Nice Crab, Tom!

I get loads of fruit every season with mine. i let the bees do the work. I DO have Crabs a couple blocks away.

-Wm

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Yandrosxx

I wisk I could get my to bloom like that. Mine bloom on one or two branches every year, nothing more and it's always the same branches.

Like it much.

mistermoyogi

Thank you all for the kind words....this is always my first tree to "wake up" in the spring and it is so uplifting to the entire family to see it come into bloom...especially after this year's winter which seemed exceptionally long.

There are no other crab apples in the area nearby, and last year for some reason our bee population was way down - I do not recall seeing any during the growing season...this year when I first mowed the grass at the end of March I had a bumble bee tag along with me when I was mowing - very early to see one I thought -

Regarding hand pollination, what do you think would work better - an small artists paint brush or a Q-tip. Thanks!

Tom

Joanie

It would really be a good idea to buy another crab to use for pollination. I bought some from Evergreen Gardenworks, and the small flowers and fruit are very delightful! The species information seems to say that crabs need to have other crabs in the immediate vicinity. "Like the apple, the crabapple appears to require cross-pollination between cultivars by insects. All native crabapples are self-sterile. Self-pollination is impossible and pollinating insects are absolutely needed." (www.thebestlinks.com)

Your little gal needs a friend.

Joanie

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mistermoyogi

Thanks, Joanie....a fine idea you have indeed

Tom

Bonsai Barry

Often you see crabapples with beautiful blossoms and a boring trunk line. This is not the case with this tree. It is exceptional on several counts.

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