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Chemical Fruit Thinning for Home Apple Tree #869991

Asked May 24, 2024, 5:38 PM EDT

Hi. I’m hoping you can provide (or tell me where I might find) guidance on using Monterey Florel (ethephon 3.9%) in lower quantities/concentrations than indicated in the package directions to thin (rather than eliminate) the fruit on my Honey Gold apple tree. I’ve tried, without success, for several years to bring my tree out of biennial bearing by hand-thinning in years with a heavy crop. (It’s difficult for me to reach the top half of the tree safely, so I’m only able to hand-thin the bottom half.) Any advice or direction to resources on using Florel (or other chemicals available to the home Gardner) to thin the fruit of a home apple tree would be very much appreciated. Thank you, Tiffany Walter

Dakota County Minnesota

Expert Response

Hi Tiffany,

Here is some information;

https://extension.illinois.edu/fruit-trees/removing-fruit#:~:text=Apples%20and%20Crabapples&text=Early%20in%20the%20blooming%20period,all%20the%20blossoms%20and%20leaves.https://cpg.treefruit.wsu.edu/bioregulator-sprays/apple-chemical-thinning/

I'm not finding any information about using this for thinning. Mu guess is that it wouldn't work if it wasn't used in the recommended strength. Have you tries pruning a third of your branches off ( especially those at the top). Here is a link to let you know you can take the height down;

https://yardandgarden.extension.iastate.edu/how-to/how-prune-neglected-apple-trees

The only other option is to try and spray parts of the tree and not the whole thing . I don't know how well that would work . I would severely thin the tree and try to "lower" it .


Good luck,

Sally Granath

St. Louis County MG



An Ask Extension Expert Replied May 27, 2024, 8:28 PM EDT

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