Red Delicious Apples & Iron Chlorosis

15 years ago

Are Red Delicious apples prone to iron chlorosis? Or is it the rootstock that has the problem? I have one I planted last year, but it was from Stark's and don't know the rootstock other than it should be semi-dwarf. None of the other fruit trees I have in that area show any signs of chlorosis. I treated the ground with iron sulphate recently, but it hasn't been long enough to really tell whether there will be any effect.

If the problem is coming from the rootstock, I can graft onto other apples, but if it is the variety itself that has a problem, then I may have to just let it go and keep trying to play with pH, etc.

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Comments (5)

calistoga_al ca 15 usda 9
15 years ago
I don't think the tree is the problem. I would test the soil and any irrigation water as it sounds like a chemical problem to me. Al
fruitnut Z7 4500ft SW TX
15 years ago
Red Delicious is no more prone to Fe chlorosis than any other apple. My experience is that Fe chl usually comes on in the spring when the soil is cold and wet. You cann't do anything about the cold (well you could but only so much) but you can avoid overwatering in spring.

Iron sulphate should help some. Chelated Fe applied to the soil works great if applied before the symtoms develope. Nothing will change the leaf color after the fact. If your soil isn't high in free lime, applying soil sulfur until the pH drops below 7 should help in the long run.

The Fruitnut
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Beeone
Original Author
15 years ago
Thanks for the comments. I was hoping Red Delicious wasn't prone to chlorosis. I wonder if the root stock could be, though?

My soil pH is somewhat high, around 7.8 or so, and excess lime is always rated as very high in soil tests. In fact, about 12-18 inches down you pretty much hit a layer of lime when you get to the normal percolation depth of natural rainfall. Ground water is also quite high in lime (naturally given the lime layer), and I don't expect I will be able to water with surface water for a while, if ever.

I've never had much luck with iron chelate, though I've only sprayed it as a foliar treatment. On the other hand, I use the iron sulphate with great success on evergreens and lawns and other landscape plants subject to iron deficiency.

Red Delicious seem to be much maligned, but I really like them. The few tree-fresh ones I've had have been really good, and the normal ones purchased in the stores (though somewhat bland) still have many times the flavor of newer varieties. Never really had an apple as tasteless as a gala or fuji.
fruitnut Z7 4500ft SW TX
15 years ago
beeone:

I haven't had any luck with iron chelate as a foliar either. But it will work as a preventive if soil applied before chlorosis developes. Apply a couple of tablespoons around the tree and water in early in spring. Then don't water anymore until really necessary. It will be leached away by excess water and excess water will aggravate the problem.

The Fruitnut
Beeone
Original Author
15 years ago
Thanks, Fruitnut. I'll give it a try in the spring. Unfortunately, the only water they get is what I irrigate with, which is usually given weekly. (We had 2" of rain around Memorial Day, the next rain was 1" on Labor Day.) Although we don't normally get such a huge amount at one time, that is about a normal total for March to Sept., so irrigation is a must. Still, I try not to completely flood them when I irrigate, just give them a good drink.

Red Delicious Apples & Iron Chlorosis

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calistoga_al ca 15 usda 9

fruitnut Z7 4500ft SW TX

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Red Delicious Apples & Iron Chlorosis

Comments (5)

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fruitnut Z7 4500ft SW TX

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