Help with apple trees

[Tilly2]

Three weeks ago I bought two Golden Delicious apple trees which were just two sticks in pots. One of them was planted inthe garden and is growing nicely with blossom already appearing. The other one is still in the original pot because I am waiying for my OH to put up some trellis.(That's another question)

I have cut this one down to about 12 inches high, above two buds because I would like to train it into a fan shape, when I get the trellis!!
This one , however, has not begun to 'sprout' at all. Have I damaged it by cutting it down? Will it stay dormant until it's planted in the ground? Any advice would be appreciated.

[Maydup]

Try to get it into the ground as soon as you can but don't expect too much of either of them this year. All well and good that the other one is in blossom but the potted one will catch up once its got some room to put down roots.

If the potted one is not in the ground by the end of April it will really struggle against the dryer months of June and July. Could you put it in anyway and wait for the trellis to follow?

[Tilly2]

Thank you, Maidup.
My plan is to train it against a south facing wall. The soil in this part of the garden is very dry. Other things I've grown there, Honeysuckle and Passionflower (on the old trellis) have not survived. Do you think it will be too hot and dry for an apple tree?

[ladybirder]

You will have to make sure you give it a good drink in the dry weather, and by that I mean a bucketful at a time, not a jugful, about every 4/5 days. This is especially important during its early years. But other than that there is no reason why it won't do well on a south facing wall.

[Maydup]

I have south facing apple trees but they are very old and have deep roots. As ladybirder says you'll need to be prepared to water it once a week throughout the summer and autumn and keep an eye on it when ever the ground is dry next summer. Ocne its roots are deep enough to find its own water you'll be fine.

[Hawkwalk]

to train it into a fan shape I would retain the main stem which would go straight up and the fan shape comes from selecting suitable side shoots. Now that you have cut the main stem down you do not have anything to produce side shoots from. You have cut to two buds so you will only get two shoots. You will now need to grow these two shoots appart and produce the fan from those which will take a while longer. It should still grow though.

[johnk]

Best to plant now and water regularly in the first year. leave the hose on the ground for 1/2 hour if your not banned or a bucket a day, it will need lot's of water. Once establihed the roots will go deep and less watering will be needed but once established if you water on gallons not just one or two as this will draw the roots toward the surface

[Tilly2]

Thanks for all your help with my apple trees. Not had the opportunity to reply before as I've been away for a few days. I have now planted the tree against the sunny wall and might put wires up instead of a trellis. That might be easier.

Johnk could you please write your last sentence again as I can't understand it. Thank you