Position – The Pink Lady apple tree should be planted in full sun, with 6 – 8 hours of sunshine daily. Each tree should be planted between 5 to 8 metres away from the next to give them room to grow and mature.
Size – The Pink Lady apple can grow to between 6 and 7 metres high and has a width or spread of the same, making it a sizeable tree.
Soil Type – This type of apple tree does well in well-drained, slightly acidic soil; with a pH of between 6.0 and 6.8. It is not drought tolerant.
Mulch – Remove any grass and then apply a layer of about 5 to 8 centimetres of mulch (such as pine needles, bark, wood chips or straw).
Watering – Apples need a moderate amount of water regularly. Be aware of dry spells and slightly increase the amount of water you give your tree when it starts to fruit.
Fertilising – Fertilise your Pink Lady apple tree once a year with a product that is rich in calcium and potassium. Only add other nutrients if there are visible signs of a deficiency. Apply the fertiliser about 30 centimetres away from the trunk and extend it all the way along the ground to the drip line (where the leaves end).
Pruning – The best time to prune your tree is when the tree is dormant. This should be done either during late winter or very early spring. Cut off any branches that are hanging down, dead or diseased. You should also remove all of the unwanted shoots that come out of the tree trunk right up until the canopy. This helps the nutrients to get to the boughs with the fruit more efficiently.
Harvesting – The Pink Lady harvest is one of the latest to harvest. This normally begins between late October and early November.
