large unusual flower growing from apple tree - Ask Extension
Hi,
There is this huge flower on our apple tree. It's not a typical blossom in size or shape. Any ideas what or why it's growing here?
Thanks,
Tony
Knowledgebase
large unusual flower growing from apple tree #403620
Asked May 31, 2017, 1:19 PM EDT
Hi,
There is this huge flower on our apple tree. It's not a typical blossom in size or shape. Any ideas what or why it's growing here?
Thanks,
Tony
Deschutes County Oregon
Expert Response
Hi Tony, Have you ever noticed any thorns on this plant?
Thanks, Amy Jo
Thanks, Amy Jo
Hi Amy,
I can't find any thorns on the tree. One thing I noticed was this side of the tree (the thickest, strongest growing limb) bloomed later than the other main branches. I can't find any blossoms on this side that are turning into fruit. Not sure if that is somehow related, or maybe just due to lack of pollination?
Thanks,
Tony
Hi Toni, I just can't see enough detail of the leaf, bud and flower to know for sure. The flower reminds me of flowering quince (chaenomeles sp.), which will produce a large apple size fruit. But the terminal tip will have a single spine typically. I would wait to see what type of fruit set develops or you could bring a branch sample to our plant clinic at some point so that we can try to identify it. We are located on the fairgrounds in Redmond near parking lot D.