Flowering in the Apple Tree

Apple trees generally flower from March to April.

In early spring the first flower buds appear (white and pink). Once the petals open, pollination takes place with the help of pollinators.

Biological cycle of the apple tree

From the same flower bud come several grouped flowers, in a structure known as a "corymb".

The shape of the corymb resembles an umbrella and, in the apple tree, it has one dominant central flower relative to the others. This central flower, also known as the king flower, is usually the one that produces the largest fruit and the first to open.

Apple blossom is hermaphrodite (the same flower has functional male and female organs), which means self-pollination is possible.

Most varieties, however, need cross-pollination, by wind or by insect pollinators, in order to produce quality fruit. It is therefore advisable to have more than one variety in the orchard, with overlapping flowering periods.

Although every flower is capable of producing fruit of commercial standard, it is recommended that only one or two fruits be left per flower cluster, to avoid excessive competition between them and the smaller size that would follow.

Proposed distribution of pollinating cultivars in apple orchards. Source: Manual de Boas Práticas de Fruticultura – INIAV, I.P.

Did you know about the king flower in the apple tree?

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