Re: [apple-crop] Arctic Apples again -
I jsut read the last data from Facebook that indicates they have over 1.3 billion users! When I see the erroneous information that gets posted to the news feed on Facebook about GMO's, Monsanto and the Arctic apple, and the number of people that believe this stuff.it scares me to think what the future of growers and farmers is going to become!! Dennis Norton IPM Specialist/Certified Nurseryman/IT Specialist Royal Oak Farm Orchard 15908 Hebron Rd. Harvard, IL 60033-9357 Office (815) 648-4467 Mobile (815) 228-2174 Fax (609) 228-2174 http://www.royaloakfarmorchard.com http://www.royaloakfarmorchard.blogspot.com https://www.facebook.com/royaloakfarmorchard/ - Original Message - From: Craig Tanner To: 'Apple-crop discussion list' Sent: Monday, March 30, 2015 3:25 PM Subject: Re: [apple-crop] Arctic Apples again - GMO apples may contaminate nearby organic and conventional apple orchards and could potentially cause valuable export markets to reject U.S. apples as happened in past when wheat and rice crops were found to be contaminated by GMOs. A - See more at: http://www.foe.org/projects/food-and-technology/genetic-engineering/no-gmo-apples#sthash.FRll2V3z.dpuf what? how? this statement makes my head spin Craig Tanner Tanners Orchard, Ltd. Speer, IL 309-493-5442 309-493-5741 fax 306-360-5610 cell -- From: apple-crop-boun...@virtualorchard.net [mailto:apple-crop-boun...@virtualorchard.net] On Behalf Of David Doud Sent: Monday, March 30, 2015 11:28 AM To: Apple-Crop Subject: [apple-crop] Arctic Apples again - Sorry to beat this, but I think it's in our interest to stay informed - if the powers that be want me to give it a rest, I will - I copy and paste an email that went out to subscribers to Well.org - it was forwarded to me - I am unfamiliar with this organization and a peek at their website doesn't impress and the website itself doesn't have any content about Arctic Apples - I've been made aware of at least one other organization promoting anti-Arctic Apple sentiment - http://www.foe.org/projects/food-and-technology/genetic-engineering/no-gmo-apples I investigated the claim that McDonald's and Gerber... and it's not as presented - they have 'no plans' because there is no product available to buy, but they have not rejected and Gerber specifically admits and defends using GMO products - Looks like battle lines are being drawn and strategies arctic-ulated - David Doud peach leaf curl spray this week - 2012 on this date was apple full bloom - not at silver tip yet this year, but soon - You're hearing from us because you subscribed via Well.org. Last year, we released the Origins documentary for free to over 700,000 people across the world. If you want to unsubscribe, click here. On Friday the 13th, the USDA approved the unnecessary, unlabeled, and poorly tested GMO apple. It was an unlucky day indeed for the apple growers, food companies, and people like us who want to protect our families from GMO foods. But it's not all bad news. Thanks to pressure from thousands of people like you, McDonald's and Gerber -- two of the biggest purchasers of apples -- have already confirmed that they have no plans to sell GMO apples. Their commitments will help keep this risky product off the market. Now, we need to get other fast food companies to join them. If we can get the top 10 fast food companies, including Burger King, Wendy's, Subway and Dunkin' Donuts, to commit to not sell the GMO apple, we may be able to prevent it from ending up on our plates! Tell these fast food restaurants to say NO to GMO apples! The apple in question - known as the Arctic Apple® -- was designed for purely cosmetic purposes. It was genetically engineered to not turn brown when cut. Of course, browning in apples can be prevented naturally by applying lemon juice or another source of vitamin C -- making this risky apple completely unnecessary. What's more, without natural browning, apples may look fresh when they are actually decaying. In fact, scientists believe apples' natural browning enzyme may help fight diseases and pests. In other words, if farmers grow these new apples, they may have to increase their pesticide use. And since they won't be labeled, we won't even know if the apples we're buying are pesticide-doused GMOs! The evidence is clear: this experiment is all risk, no reward. Fast food restaurants have no excuse -- they must say NO to GMO apples! Tell fast food companies that their customers don't want GMO apples! Like other
Re: [apple-crop] Announcing weekly apple IPM conference call green tipto harvest
I have participated in these IPM conference calls since their inception and the calls are a regular part of my annual IPM program. There is a wealth of information available through these calls for the Illinois, Wisconsin and Minnesota apple grower. You can learn what other growers are facing in terms of pests and solutions for those pests, particularly when resistance is an issue. I recommend these calls very highly! Dennis Norton IPM Specialist/Certified Nurseryman/IT Specialist Royal Oak Farm Orchard 15908 Hebron Rd. Harvard, IL 60033-9357 Office (815) 648-4467 Mobile (815) 228-2174 Fax (609) 228-2174 http://www.royaloakfarmorchard.com http://www.royaloakfarmorchard.blogspot.com https://www.facebook.com/royaloakfarmorchard/ - Original Message - From: Peter Werts To: 'Apple-crop discussion list' Sent: Monday, February 09, 2015 10:18 AM Subject: [apple-crop] Announcing weekly apple IPM conference call green tipto harvest AppleTalk IPM Conference Calls 2015 WEEKLY CALL TUESDAYS, Green tip to mid-August 8AM to 9AM Central Time The IPM Institute of North America, in collaboration with the University of Wisconsin Center for Integrated Agricultural Systems and the Wisconsin Apple Growers Association will offer another season of weekly conference calls with IPM consultant John Aue and other IPM experts. The weekly call allows you to stay informed on pest conditions, answer pressing questions and learn about other growers’ approaches to IPM. Call moderator John Aue shares his wealth of knowledge and experience as an IPM consultant for the tree fruit industry in Illinois, Minnesota and Wisconsin for over 25 years. Guest presenters from the University of Wisconsin, Michigan State University and Cornell have been regular participants and discuss a wide range of IPM and fruit production issues including: insect, weed and disease management, thinning and tree nutrition. Visit the blog, www.ecofruit.wisc.edu/appletalk. Call registration, http://www.ecofruit.wisc.edu/appletalk/signup-now-for-the-2015-appletalk-ipm-conference-call/ AppleTalk costs $125.00 provides access to all sixteen calls and blog. $65.00 allows blog only access, which includes content for registered users and call downloads. Please direct all questions to: Peter Werts, IPM Institute of North America, Inc. pwe...@ipminstitute.org or call (608) 232-1410 www.ipminstitute.org Thanks, Peter = Peter Werts Project Manager Specialty Crops IPM Institute of North America, Inc. 1020 Regent St. Madison WI 53715 Office: 608 232-1410 Cell: 612 518-0319 Fax: 608 232-1440 pwe...@ipminstitute.org www.ipminstitute.org -- ___ apple-crop mailing list apple-crop@virtualorchard.net http://virtualorchard.net/mailman/listinfo/apple-crop ___ apple-crop mailing list apple-crop@virtualorchard.net http://virtualorchard.net/mailman/listinfo/apple-crop
Re: [apple-crop] Mankar Ultra-Low Volume Herbicide Applicators
We have a single head Enviromist mounted to our small John Deere tractor that we have used for several years with no issues at all. The keys are how high you allow your weeds to get before application and how high you have to hold the shield above the ground. The higher the shield above ground, the greater likelihood of drift. Dennis Norton IPM Specialist/Certified Nurseryman Royal Oak Farm Orchard 15908 Hebron Rd. Harvard, IL 60033-9357 Office (815) 648-4467 Mobile (815) 228-2174 Fax (609) 228-2174 http://www.royaloakfarmorchard.com http://www.royaloakfarmorchard.blogspot.com - Original Message - From: Matt Pellerin To: Apple-crop discussion list Sent: Thursday, October 30, 2014 8:21 AM Subject: [apple-crop] Mankar Ultra-Low Volume Herbicide Applicators I have been researching different options for herbicide application in my orchard and came across Mankar ULV herbicide applicators. http://www.mankarulv.com/ The company promotes its shielded CDA applicators as virtually drift-free. However, I have read in some apple publications that the small droplets made by CDA applicators are inherently prone to drift. Does anyone have any clarifying information or experience with this equipment? Thanks, -- Matthew Pellerin Agricultural Manager Treworgy Family Orchards 3876 Union St Levant, ME 04456 www.treworgyorchards.com 207-884-8354 -- ___ apple-crop mailing list apple-crop@virtualorchard.net http://virtualorchard.net/mailman/listinfo/apple-crop ___ apple-crop mailing list apple-crop@virtualorchard.net http://virtualorchard.net/mailman/listinfo/apple-crop
Re: [apple-crop] Apples From China?
When the demand for apples in the United States is greater than the supply available in the United States, then I have no problem with imports from China or elsewhere..as long as we have a knowledge of how the fruit is grown and how pest control is administered. But I cannot see importing from China if we have an ample supply..we should support our own growers before supporting those from around the world. Dennis Norton IPM Specialist/Certified Nurseryman Royal Oak Farm Orchard 15908 Hebron Rd. Harvard, IL 60033-9357 Office (815) 648-4467 Mobile (815) 228-2174 Fax (609) 228-2174 http://www.royaloakfarmorchard.com http://www.royaloakfarmorchard.blogspot.com - Original Message - From: Ginda Fisher To: Apple-crop discussion list ; Mike Arvay Sent: Friday, August 15, 2014 9:58 AM Subject: Re: [apple-crop] Apples From China? Speaking as an apple consumer, I have concerns about China driving down price, and therefore quality, of U.S. grown fruit. But I tend to avoid food and children's toys that come out of China. (Like everyone else, most of my clothes and electronics have Chinese components. And I've had no problems with that.) -- Typed with Swype. Who knows what I meant to say? On August 15, 2014 10:26:03 AM EDT, Mike Arvay greenap...@deercreekorchard.com wrote: I'm curious on what the group thinks about this proposed amendment to the U.S. Fruit and Vegetable Regulation which will allow the import of apples into the U.S. from China.I don't want this to become a All things from China are bad. thread. But I can see both negative and positive possibilities on allowing this. They do recommend additional measures and actions other than the standard Port of Entry Inspection.http://www.regulations.gov/?utm_source=hs_emailutm_medium=emailutm_content=13804591_hsenc=p2ANqtz--B9po2Wh9EOEarH4oSyBng8hr9QeyW3LJQbTqn5DyDzYxmuMr2ciJZaLS1t7JjLaavRgsui8ZQ9El8DY6ATo7HsWEkbg_hsmi=13804591#!documentDetail;D=APHIS-2014-0003-0001Thanks.Mike ArvaySmall Grower in Central Indiana.apple-crop mailing listapple-crop@virtualorchard.nethttp://virtualorchard.net/mailman/listinfo/apple-crop -- ___ apple-crop mailing list apple-crop@virtualorchard.net http://virtualorchard.net/mailman/listinfo/apple-crop ___ apple-crop mailing list apple-crop@virtualorchard.net http://virtualorchard.net/mailman/listinfo/apple-crop
Re: [apple-crop] Planting density for Asian pears
Rick, In doing some research for our new planting program, I came across an article by Terence Robinson on high density pears that might be useful to you. We will be planting new apple trees over the next 5 years at a density of 3 x 12. The article on high density pears discusses trials with varying densities, 4 x 12 being one of them. Here's the PDF link: http://www.nyshs.org/pdf/NYFQ%202011/NYFQ%20Winter%202010.CMC/1.High%20Density%20Pear%20Production-%20An%20Opportunity%20for%20NY%20Growers.pdf Hope it helps! Dennis Norton IPM Specialist/Certified Nurseryman Royal Oak Farm Orchard 15908 Hebron Rd. Harvard, IL 60033-9357 Office (815) 648-4467 Mobile (815) 228-2174 Fax (609) 228-2174 http://www.royaloakfarmorchard.com http://www.royaloakfarmorchard.blogspot.com - Original Message - From: Weinzierl, Richard A To: Apple-crop discussion list Sent: Friday, August 01, 2014 9:12 AM Subject: [apple-crop] Planting density for Asian pears A new grower bought an Asian pear orchard that was planted a few years ago north of Peoria, IL. Except for pollenizers, it’s all ‘Shinko’, and apparently its resistance to fireblight is very good – I saw only one or two infections in hundreds of trees. They have planted trees at very high density (4 feet in-row by 12 feet between rows); the trees are at least 12 feet tall. Is anyone familiar high-density production of Asian pears? And if so, do you have any pruning recommendations? It’s obvious the density and prior pruning practices will not work together. The fact sheets and similar references that I’ve seen suggest much lower tree densities (218 to 242 trees per acre). Any general thoughts on managing the trees at high density … and what spacing would you recommend for the additional plantings they intend to make? Rick Weinzierl Professor and Extension Entomologist IL SARE PDP Coordinator Department of Crop Sciences, University of Illinois S-334 Turner Hall, 1102 S. Goodwin Avenue Urbana, IL 61801 217-244-2126 -- ___ apple-crop mailing list apple-crop@virtualorchard.net http://virtualorchard.net/mailman/listinfo/apple-crop ___ apple-crop mailing list apple-crop@virtualorchard.net http://virtualorchard.net/mailman/listinfo/apple-crop
Re: [apple-crop] Narrow Tall Spindle Layout
matthew, We have been growing tall spindle in northern Illinois in a pick-your-own orchard for around 5 or 6 years now. The system has been improving over the years and currently the newer spacing being recommended by Dr. Terence Robinson from Cornell is around 12' x 3'. I highly recommend watching the videos at YouTube he did at the Winter Apple School in Henderson County, NC found at http://youtu.be/gJF4wLgXnK8 After viewing this video and others on the BRCC TV - The Educational Channel on YouTube covering the Tall Spindle System, we will be making the recommended changes to our current system of 14' x 4'. Hope this helps. Dennis Norton IPM Specialist/Certified Nurseryman Royal Oak Farm Orchard 15908 Hebron Rd. Harvard, IL 60033-9357 Office (815) 648-4467 Mobile (815) 228-2174 Fax (609) 228-2174 http://www.royaloakfarmorchard.com http://www.royaloakfarmorchard.blogspot.com - Original Message - From: Matt Pellerin To: apple-crop@virtualorchard.net Sent: Wednesday, July 02, 2014 2:55 PM Subject: [apple-crop] Narrow Tall Spindle Layout I am a grower in central Maine that operates a pick-your-own orchard. I will be planting a tall spindle orchard next year. I would like to plant the rows as narrow as possible in combination with shorter trees so the customers can reach more of the fruit. My orchard tractor is 54 wide. How narrow can I plant my tall spindle orchard with this equipment? Also, what would be the appropriate tree height at the narrow row spacing? Thanks, -- Matthew Pellerin Agricultural Manager Treworgy Family Orchards 3876 Union St Levant, ME 04456 www.treworgyorchards.com 207-884-8354 -- ___ apple-crop mailing list apple-crop@virtualorchard.net http://virtualorchard.net/mailman/listinfo/apple-crop ___ apple-crop mailing list apple-crop@virtualorchard.net http://virtualorchard.net/mailman/listinfo/apple-crop
Re: [apple-crop] Deer, Fireblight, Liquid Fence
Lee, we use a product called Repells All by Bonide that lasts up to 2 months and is made up of Dried Blood , Putrescent whole egg solids, Garlic oil, Acetic Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Cloves, Fish oil, Onions, Meat meal, Seaweed, Vanillin, Vitamin E, and Wintergreen oil. It comes in a 6 lb. bag as granules and is also available in liquid. The granules are a bit less expensive and are rainfast within 6 hours. A six pound bag costs about $30 and covers about 5,000 square feet. We use it in our sugar cube melons to keep the raccoons off them and around our young trees to keep the deer off them. One bag covers about 3 to 4 400' rows of trees. I don't know if this would be less expensive for you, but the product really does work for us. Dennis Norton IPM Specialist/Certified Nurseryman Royal Oak Farm Orchard 15908 Hebron Rd. Harvard, IL 60033-9357 Office (815) 648-4467 Mobile (815) 228-2174 Fax (609) 228-2174 http://www.royaloakfarmorchard.com http://www.royaloakfarmorchard.blogspot.com - Original Message - From: lee elliott To: apple-crop@virtualorchard.net Sent: Monday, June 09, 2014 7:52 AM Subject: [apple-crop] Deer, Fireblight, Liquid Fence Deer browsing on young trees is spreading fireblight, I know this is true, a small fenced in area in my orchard has little to no fireblight while the rest is fire blight city, I am using Liquid Fence,on newly planted trees, its a product made from putrified egg whites, this stuff really works but has to be applied every 10 days or after major rain storms, problem is its is very expensive, a bottle that treats 4 gallons is $30 at the local farm store. I would like to know how to make some myself, does anyone know how to do this?? Lee Elliott, winchester, Illinois On Fri, 6/6/14, apple-crop-requ...@virtualorchard.net apple-crop-requ...@virtualorchard.net wrote: Subject: apple-crop Digest, Vol 42, Issue 14 To: apple-crop@virtualorchard.net Date: Friday, June 6, 2014, 11:00 AM Send apple-crop mailing list submissions to apple-crop@virtualorchard.net To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit http://virtualorchard.net/mailman/listinfo/apple-crop or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to apple-crop-requ...@virtualorchard.net You can reach the person managing the list at apple-crop-ow...@virtualorchard.net When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific than Re: Contents of apple-crop digest... Today's Topics: 1. Re: Sprayer Calibration Between Training Styles (Fleming, William) -- Message: 1 Date: Fri, 6 Jun 2014 09:17:17 -0600 From: Fleming, William w...@exchange.montana.edu To: Apple-crop discussion list apple-crop@virtualorchard.net Subject: Re: [apple-crop] Sprayer Calibration Between Training Styles Message-ID: 0ed0d5ff52b2b3469bc620dba56ed85c8963169...@excms.msu.montana.edu Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Nick, as long as you are getting sufficient coverage in both growing systems I would personally find it easier to mix up two different tanks with different quantities of material rather than mess with swapping nozzles. Bill Fleming Montana State University Western Ag Research Center Corvallis, MT 59828 -Original Message- From: apple-crop-boun...@virtualorchard.net [mailto:apple-crop-boun...@virtualorchard.net] On Behalf Of Nick Lucking Sent: Friday, June 06, 2014 12:54 AM To: apple-crop discussion list Subject: Re: [apple-crop] Sprayer Calibration Between Training Styles Thanks for the responses. So when you guys use the spray controllers do you try to maintain the same GPA across all blocks? Seems like if you don't have one (like me) and you mix a tank to apply across multiple training styles with varying row spacing the pesticide rate per acre would be out of whack between them. Here's my scenario. 1.5 acres is conventional free standing and 1.5 is tall spindle. When I did TRV calculations last season and checked the GPM of sprayer nozzles obviously with the difference in row spacing the rate was way higher for the tall spindle block. When I adjusted the gear speed so the GPA would match the free standing block, tractor speed was way too fast ~4 MPH. I suppose I could get another set of smaller nozzles for the tall spindle block to try to keep things even between blocks. Any further advise? Cheers, Nick Lucking Cannon Valley Orchard Cannon Falls, MN ___ apple-crop mailing list
Re: [apple-crop] Apple Bloom and Crop Potential
Nikki, We have had drip irrigation and/or drip tape in our 16,000 tree orchard since 1993/94. In 2012 we installed sub-surface drip in our apple tree maze. We have never been effected by drought in any years since the original installation. We have 8 wells on our 120 acres and rotate wells from year to year. Two main wells supply our 4 orchards and each orchard has 6 zones that we can run all at the same time or rotate as needed. We usually run 6 hours on in each of our 4 orchards and get water on all 4 orchards in a 24 hour period. You might even consider drip tape as a stop gapwe use it for new plantings prior to installing sub-surface. We store it on electric cable reels...attach the reels to the back of a tractor with 3 point hitch and drive it down the tree row as one man lays it under the trees. Tie it off at the end and go to the next. We use blue line for the supply and T-connectors to connect each row to the blue line. Blue line gets connected to our main supply line. Rolling the line sup on reels makes the system quite portable, especially in an emergency such as you have. Just a thought! Dennis Norton IPM Specialist/Certified Nurseryman Royal Oak Farm Orchard 15908 Hebron Rd. Harvard, IL 60033-9357 Office (815) 648-4467 Mobile (815) 228-2174 Fax (609) 228-2174 http://www.royaloakfarmorchard.com http://www.royaloakfarmorchard.blogspot.com - Original Message - From: Brian Heatherington To: Apple-crop discussion list Sent: Monday, May 19, 2014 9:47 PM Subject: Re: [apple-crop] Apple Bloom and Crop Potential Nikki, Can you transition to drip irrigation? A little water goes a long way with Ram tubing or solid lines with hand punched emitters if your trees are further apart. Some vineyards in CA are also burying drip lines to eliminate all evaporation. Microsprinklers are another option but not as efficient. Drip will eventually save you a lot of money if you have to buy water. We had a heavy bloom here in the south after a winter that bottomed out at 5 below. Nice crop set except Fuji (didn't get it thinned enough last 2 years). Rethinned 22+ mm fruit today with Ethrel, Sevin, NAA mix in different combinations by variety as we finally had a good thinning window. Pink Lady, Jonagold, Honeycrisp are looking good after first thinning with about a 40% further reduction needed. CrimsonCrisp required only a light thinning with MaxCel and is set (great sunburn-proof apple, easy crop load to manage). GingerGold looks great with a 50% reduction needed. GoldRush, Gala, SunCrisp are still carrying a 300% crop and I'm hoping rethinning will eliminate weeks of hand thinning. The peach crop looks good, except for some bud loss and one dead tree, all occurring on the French variety Manon. Bloom was late, but the crop developed quickly and will be close to normal schedule. Gloria continues to be a winner. It blooms predictably late every year, can set a heavier crop without loss of flavor, has no brown rot (with a good spray program), and shows no sign of bacterial spot. However, I store peaches at 33 deg. F., 98% humidity, and it does start to lose flavor quicker than most cultivars under those conditions. Might need a higher temperature? Not a bad fruiting year so far, but I do have some anthracnose canker on the trunks of some apples that were damaged by sudden winter fluctuations several years ago. Brian Heatherington Beech Creek Farms and Orchards 2011 Georgia Highway 120 Tallapoosa, GA 30176 -- ___ apple-crop mailing list apple-crop@virtualorchard.net http://virtualorchard.net/mailman/listinfo/apple-crop ___ apple-crop mailing list apple-crop@virtualorchard.net http://virtualorchard.net/mailman/listinfo/apple-crop
Re: [apple-crop] Codling Moth Trap and Attractant
Brian, If you have a significant number of trees to monitor, I would recommend the use of the trece Delta VI trap with liners and the CM-DA codling moth lure. The lures are good for about 8 wweks and the traps are reusable. I have some that I have used for 4 seasons. Much less expensive that cardboard ones over th elong haul. You contact Jim Hansel at Great Lakes IPM at 800-235-0285 or at http://www.greatlakesipm.com. Hope this helps! Dennis Norton IPM Specialist/Certified Nurseryman Royal Oak Farm Orchard 15908 Hebron Rd. Harvard, IL 60033-9357 Office (815) 648-4467 Mobile (815) 228-2174 Fax (609) 228-2174 http://www.royaloakfarmorchard.com http://www.theorchardkeeper.blogspot.com - Original Message - From: Raby, Brian To: Apple-Crop Sent: Thursday, April 10, 2014 2:12 PM Subject: [apple-crop] Codling Moth Trap and Attractant All, I've got a young orchard that will start producing for me this year so I figured I better get serious with my pest control. In some of the research information I've been finding on-line, studies have shown that the combination of Pear Ester (PE) and Acetic Acid (AA), along with a clear insect trap, will significantly increase your ability to capture/monitor Codling Moth activity in the orchard. Where can one buy this fabulous combination? Every time I search for Pear Ester or clear insect trap, I get taken to more research articles. A link to where this can be purchased will be outstanding. Your comments on how well (or not) this combination worked for you would be appreciated as well. Brian Raby Hortonville Farms Sheridan, IN -- ___ apple-crop mailing list apple-crop@virtualorchard.net http://virtualorchard.net/mailman/listinfo/apple-crop ___ apple-crop mailing list apple-crop@virtualorchard.net http://virtualorchard.net/mailman/listinfo/apple-crop
Re: [apple-crop] Peach question
From what I have experienced, Mark, sounds like you are talking about callus tissue that can appear around the pit. The tissue is not mold, fungus, bacteria or the result of any type of disease. It is naturally occurring as you say, and is entirely safe to eat along with the rest of the peaches that they appear in. But, there are times when peaches that have split pits will mold on the inside because air is available to the inside of the peach. Split pits are usually caused by too much rain. A little molding around split pit fruit is usually okay. The difference between callus tissue and split pit mold is that the mold generally occurs in conjunction with the split pit and is actually mold. I understand that the mold is harmless as well. Hope this helps! Dennis Norton IPM Specialist/Certified Nurseryman Royal Oak Farm Orchard 15908 Hebron Rd. Harvard, IL 60033-9357 Office (815) 648-4467 Mobile (815) 228-2174 Fax (609) 228-2174 http://www.royaloakfarmorchard.com http://www.theorchardkeeper.blogspot.com - Original Message - From: Mark Angermayer To: Apple-crop discussion list Sent: Thursday, February 20, 2014 10:55 AM Subject: [apple-crop] Peach question I had a guy ask a question yesterday for which I didn't have a good answer. He had purchased peaches from another orchard and complained the peaches had mold next to the pit. What he described was a white substance next to the pit, not unusual in freestone peaches. At one time I read an article which described in specifics what the white substance was, but I can't remember now. I told him it probably wasn't mold, and that it was natural. I'd like to have a more specific response for my own customers. Anyone know what the white spots are next to the pit, sometimes seen when breaking open a freestone peach? Mark Angermayer Tubby Fruits Bucyrus KS ___ apple-crop mailing list apple-crop@virtualorchard.net http://virtualorchard.net/mailman/listinfo/apple-crop ___ apple-crop mailing list apple-crop@virtualorchard.net http://virtualorchard.net/mailman/listinfo/apple-crop
Re: [apple-crop] Tall spindle trellis
I agree with your assumptions, Dave. We have over 200 rows of trees, about 1/3 being tall spindle. We build out trellises with 12' posts, typically 8 thick posts (6 on shorter rows of 400' or less) leaving 4 feet in the ground.and 8 above with our top trellis wire being on top of the post at 8'. We keep our trees at 8 to 8.5', mostly m9 and m26 rootstock If we leave the posts at 3' depths, frost heave (Illinois/Wisconsin border) will move them out of the ground a few inches each year, even with cross-anchors on the base. We also loosen the tension on the wires, 4 on tall spindle , 2 or 3 on the central leader depending on rootstock, central leader being mostly M7. Our rows run from 300' to 900' and we space the center posts at 50' intervals. We have found that loosening those wires in the late fall after harvest but before the first frost keeps the posts from moving when frost goes deeper than 4'as it has this winter. If we don't get those wires tightened back up before the growing season starts, the tall spindle trees will start leaning and those end posts will go with them from our prevailing winds. When attaching the wire to center posts, we allow them to slide through the staple, which eventually puts more of the stress on the end post, but we also adjust the tension throughout the growing season. Since we are also a U-Pick operation, we have to be concerned with safety, so we do not use wire stabilizers at the ends of the row to brace the end post. We brace the end of row post with a 6' post angled back into the row as pictured at http://fruit-crops.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/3.10-slender-spinle-apple-bolzano.jpg with another post 4' in the ground at the base of the angle post 1' above ground for additional bracing. If we don't get the brace at least 6' long, our posts will start to lean into the row. This system seems to have worked well for us over the years with minimal maintenance from leaning posts. We have found the publication Support Systems for High Density Orchards at http://www.al.gov.bc.ca/resmgmt/publist/300Series/336000-1.pdf to be quite helpful. And, fortunately for us, we were a family of residential home builders prior to getting into the orchard business and my father in law has an engineering degree!! Dennis Norton IPM Specialist/Certified Nurseryman Royal Oak Farm Orchard 15908 Hebron Rd. Harvard, IL 60033-9357 Office (815) 648-4467 Mobile (815) 228-2174 Fax (609) 228-2174 http://www.royaloakfarmorchard.com http://www.theorchardkeeper.blogspot.com - Original Message - From: David A. Rosenberger To: Apple-crop discussion list Sent: Thursday, February 20, 2014 12:29 PM Subject: Re: [apple-crop] Tall spindle trellis In theory, trellis rows could be “as long as you want them to be,” but in reality there are almost certainly limits to the amount of tension the end-posts can handle without coming out of the ground. Consider the worst case scenario: Trees that have grown to 3-ft above the wire (i.e., 13 ft tall) with 2000 bushels/A evenly distributed over the upper 12 ft of the canopy (i.e., none within 1 ft of the ground). That could mean that 25% of the fruit are above the 10-ft top wire, and in my experience those upper limbs will tend to fall toward the leeward side of the tree due to wind effects. Let’s assume that trees are on 10-ft row spacings and that 10% of the total crop is above the wire and off-center to the leeward side. If I’ve done the math correctly so far, that means that every acre will have 4-tons of apples off-center and at least 10-ft above ground. At 10-ft between rows, it will require 4,356 ft to make an acre. Thus, with rows 1000-ft long, there will be roughly 1 ton of off-center apples 10-ft above the ground. Now add a 40 mph crosswind just before harvest, and (for those in the east) assume that you just had 10 inches of rain due to a hurricane coming up the coast. The line posts will provide some support, but ultimately the greatest stress will be on the end-posts, and that stress will increase with the total length of the trellis. Even on short rows of only 300 ft, I have gradually seen trellises go off-center with time (i.e., line posts begin to lean a bit) due to wind effects, uneven cropping on the two sides of the trees, and slope (which leads to uneven frost-heave effects). If the trellises are tilted just a bit under the scenarios outlined above, then the stresses on the end posts will be multiplied. Admittedly, my observations are mostly with wider trees and wider row spacings, and those planting systems probably was more prone to going off-center than a narrow tree wall. Nevertheless, the side-ways forces on trellises should not be ignored. You may quibble with some of my assumptions, but I really would like to see/hear an engineers perspective on how long rows can be given various soil types, diameter of both line
Re: [apple-crop] honey crisp prices
Cliff, with Kentucky being in Zones 6a, 6b, and 7a, are you sure Honeycrisp will gow there? They are typically a Zone 3,4 or 5 apple, doing better in Zone 3. If you end up planting Honeycrisp, it will be interesting to see if they do well for you! We have done blind taste tests with our customers here at Royal Oak Farm Orchard in northern Illinois with Honeycrisp and our original Jonagored. We peel the samples and ask customers to taste and tell us which is Honeycrisp. Only about 10% can get it right!! We had been charging $3/lb until this past season when we had the biggest crop ever. We went down to $2.38/lb by end of season and still had about 20 bushels left in the cooler that have since been sold wholesale..as low as $35/bu. Prices were effected this past season by our Midwest bumper crop.we will have to wait and see wheer they open next season!!! Dennis Norton Certified Nurseryman/IPM Specialist Royal Oak Farm Orchard 15908 Hebron Rd. Harvard, IL 60033-9357 Office (815) 648-4467 Mobile (815) 228-2174 Fax (609) 228-2174 http://www.royaloakfarmorchard.com http://www.theorchardkeeper.blogspot.com - Original Message - From: England's Orchard and Nursery To: 'Apple-crop discussion list' Sent: Wednesday, January 29, 2014 6:19 PM Subject: Re: [apple-crop] honey crisp prices Well Fellows guys and girls Honey Crisp it is then I was looking for those 15 to 20 more apple to fill in a block of Apples and I have made my choice Thank you for this intriguing discussion Cliff Thank you Clifford England England's Orchard and Nursery 2338 HIGHWAY 2004 Mc Kee, KY. 40447-8342 Specializing in alternative crops. www.nuttrees.net Email: nuttr...@prtcnet.org Ph. # 606 965 2228 See us On FACEBOOK @ https://www.facebook.com/Kynuttrees From: apple-crop-boun...@virtualorchard.net [mailto:apple-crop-boun...@virtualorchard.net] On Behalf Of Hugh Thomas Sent: Wednesday, January 29, 2014 6:28 PM To: Apple-crop discussion list Subject: Re: [apple-crop] honeycrisp prices In my personal view, based on personal taste preferences, which are subjective of course, Honeycrisp should not be called an apple. It is so far above everything else that it is in its own realm. -- ___ apple-crop mailing list apple-crop@virtualorchard.net http://virtualorchard.net/mailman/listinfo/apple-crop ___ apple-crop mailing list apple-crop@virtualorchard.net http://virtualorchard.net/mailman/listinfo/apple-crop
Re: [apple-crop] M9-Nic29 winter hardiness
Hugh, we have been growing Granny Smith, Zestar and Pristine here at Royal Oak Farm on M9 in far northern Illinois for about 4 years now and have had good results. We also have Honeycrisp on Bud9 planted at the same time and they are half the size of the M9. We have decided to not use Bud9 again due to its slow growth pattern for our silty clay loam soil type. Hope this helps! Dennis Norton Royal Oak Farm Orchard 15908 Hebron Rd. Harvard, IL 60033-9357 Office (815) 648-4467 Mobile (815) 228-2174 Fax (609) 228-2174 http://www.royaloakfarmorchard.com http://www.theorchardkeeper.blogspot.com - Original Message - From: Gary Snyder To: Apple-crop discussion list Sent: Thursday, October 24, 2013 12:33 PM Subject: Re: [apple-crop] M9-Nic29 winter hardiness Hugh: According to the Washington Tree Fruit Research Commission M9-Nic29 rootstock is under the category of (fair) for cold hardiness. Their rankings range Tolerant, Good and Fair. Gary Snyder C O Nursery From: apple-crop-boun...@virtualorchard.net [mailto:apple-crop-boun...@virtualorchard.net] On Behalf Of Hugh Thomas Sent: Thursday, October 24, 2013 10:18 AM To: Apple-crop discussion list Subject: [apple-crop] M9-Nic29 winter hardiness Does anyone have any experience with the winter hardiness of M9-Nic29 rootstock? -- ___ apple-crop mailing list apple-crop@virtualorchard.net http://virtualorchard.net/mailman/listinfo/apple-crop ___ apple-crop mailing list apple-crop@virtualorchard.net http://virtualorchard.net/mailman/listinfo/apple-crop
Re: [apple-crop] the American economy.
Here at Royal Oak Farm Orchard we have discovered how to make a FORTUNE selling U-Pick apples..start with a LARGE one! Dennis Norton Royal Oak Farm Orchard 15908 Hebron Rd. Harvard, IL 60033-9357 Office (815) 648-4467 Mobile (815) 228-2174 Fax (609) 228-2174 http://www.royaloakfarmorchard.com http://www.theorchardkeeper.blogspot.com http://www.revivalhymn.com - Original Message - From: England's Orchard and Nursery To: apple-crop@virtualorchard.net Sent: Saturday, September 15, 2012 4:17 PM Subject: [apple-crop] the American economy. Hot varieties, roping off areas, ripe fruit, running out of lottery money all very good tips. The last one a little scary... Yes the Lottery is one that is on all of our minds this time of year. Cliff Thank you Kumme and Clifford England England's Orchard and Nursery 2338 HIGHWAY 2004 Mc Kee, KY. 40447-8342 Specializing in alternative crops. www.nuttrees.net Email: nuttr...@prtcnet.org Ph. # 606 965 2228 See us On FACEBOOK @ http://www.facebook.com/englands.nursery?ref=tn_tnmn -- ___ apple-crop mailing list apple-crop@virtualorchard.net http://virtualorchard.net/mailman/listinfo/apple-crop ___ apple-crop mailing list apple-crop@virtualorchard.net http://virtualorchard.net/mailman/listinfo/apple-crop
Re: [apple-crop] Assail
Our experience with Assail protection has been 7 to 14 days with a surfactant and no rain. I always subtract 2 days of efficacy for every 1 of rain. I came across an article back in '05 that discussed the new insecticides' effectiveness and saved a copy to http://royaloakfarmorchard.com/pdf/New_insecticides.pdf. Doen't say much about how long protection lasts, but some good info none the less. Hope it might be helpful. Dennis Norton Royal Oak Farm Orchard 15908 Hebron Rd. Harvard, IL 60033-9357 Office (815) 648-4467 Mobile (815) 228-2174 Fax (609) 228-2174 http://www.royaloakfarmorchard.com http://www.theorchardkeeper.blogspot.com http://www.revivalhymn.com - Original Message - From: Arthur Kelly To: Apple-Crop Sent: Sunday, August 26, 2012 11:43 AM Subject: [apple-crop] Assail We know that, from experience, Imidan and Guthion offer 14 days of protection from Apple Maggot and Right Guard offers 12 hours of protection. How many days does Assail protect against Apple Maggot? This early maturity/harvest and late AM emergence is making things interesting. We are at 4.5 flies per unbaited trap on 8/24. Imidan on 8/13 or Danitol on 8/29. Mix in SWD and an ongoing peach harvest and it's getting complicated. Art Kelly Kelly Orchards Acton, ME -- ___ apple-crop mailing list apple-crop@virtualorchard.net http://virtualorchard.net/mailman/listinfo/apple-crop ___ apple-crop mailing list apple-crop@virtualorchard.net http://virtualorchard.net/mailman/listinfo/apple-crop
Re: [apple-crop] spray program software
John, There is Trac Software from Cornell found at http://www.nysipm.cornell.edu/trac/ and a Spray Record Spreadsheet from Penn State at http://agsci.psu.edu/frec/resources/online-resources/2011Spraysheet.xls/view. Hope this helps! Dennis Norton Royal Oak Farm Orchard 15908 Hebron Rd. Harvard, IL 60033-9357 Office (815) 648-4467 Mobile (815) 228-2174 Fax (609) 228-2174 http://www.royaloakfarmorchard.com http://www.theorchardkeeper.blogspot.com http://www.revivalhymn.com - Original Message - From: John Bruguiere To: apple-crop@virtualorchard.net Sent: Wednesday, February 29, 2012 5:50 PM Subject: [apple-crop] spray program software can anyone recommend a computer software program for spray records? John Bruguiere Dickie Bros. Orchard On 2/27/2012 10:50 AM, Fleming, William wrote: We used a device from the same company with the same mode of action to repel birds. Work great for a couple of days till they got used to it then it was worthless. Luckily it had a 30 day money back guarantee, I sent it back. Think the deer repeller has a similar warranty; maybe you should go for it and tell us how it works. Bill Fleming Montana State University Western Ag Research Center 580 Quast Ln Corvallis, Montana From: apple-crop-boun...@virtualorchard.net [mailto:apple-crop-boun...@virtualorchard.net] On Behalf Of Jerry (skip) Sietsema III Sent: Sunday, February 26, 2012 5:40 AM To: apple-crop@virtualorchard.net Subject: [apple-crop] electronic deer shield pro deer control Does anyone have any opinions on these units? Do they work and are they annoying to neighbors?skip sietsema ___ apple-crop mailing list apple-crop@virtualorchard.net http://virtualorchard.net/mailman/listinfo/apple-crop -- Dickie Bros. Orchard www.DickieBros.com Ph: (434) 277-5516 -- ___ apple-crop mailing list apple-crop@virtualorchard.net http://virtualorchard.net/mailman/listinfo/apple-crop ___ apple-crop mailing list apple-crop@virtualorchard.net http://virtualorchard.net/mailman/listinfo/apple-crop
Re: Apple-Crop: Fruit Penetrometer
You can try http://www.cropmeters.com/Fruit-Firmness-Testers-Penetrometers/View-all-products.html these are much less expensive than the FT 327 McCormick Fruit Tester which is now about $250.00 . Hope this helps! Dennis Norton Royal Oak Farm Orchard 15908 Hebron Rd. Harvard, IL 60033-9357 Office (815) 648-4467 Mobile (815) 228-2174 Fax (609) 228-2174 http://www.royaloakfarmorchard.com http://www.theorchardkeeper.blogspot.com http://www.revivalhymn.com - Original Message - From: Fleming, William To: Apple-Crop Sent: Friday, August 20, 2010 5:32 PM Subject: RE: Apple-Crop: Fruit Penetrometer They aren't cheap. Best price I found was $150 here http://www.amazon.com/General-Purpose-Firmness-Penetrometer-Sclerometer/dp/B003H3VNQC Just as accurate as the electronic one in the lab. Bill Fleming Montana State University Western Ag Research Center 580 Quast Ln Corvallis, Montana -Original Message- From: apple-crop@virtualorchard.net [mailto:apple-c...@virtualorchard.net] On Behalf Of BMH Sent: Friday, August 20, 2010 3:11 PM To: Apple-Crop Subject: Apple-Crop: Fruit Penetrometer Can anyone recommend a supply source for a simple fruit penetrometer for pears and apples, primarily for field use? -Brad Brad M. Hollabaugh General Manager Hollabaugh Bros., Inc. Biglerville, PA -- The 'Apple-Crop' LISTSERV is sponsored by the Virtual Orchard http://www.virtualorchard.net and managed by Win Cowgill and Jon Clements webmas...@virtualorchard.net. Apple-Crop is not moderated. Therefore, the statements do not represent official opinions and the Virtual Orchard takes no responsibility for the content.
Re: Apple-Crop: Apple Maggot
Art, I have used Assail for apple maggot control for several seasons now with very good results. I have been able to time our sprays so any second generation of codling moth is usually hit as well. We just did our AM spray about a week ago for this season. I usually do not include Assail in my first generation codling moth sprays so that I am only using it once per season. I use the Cornell Apple Maggot Monitoring form found at http://nysipm.cornell.edu/publications/apple_man/files/am.pdf and I use unbaited traps so my threshold is one fly/trap. I have never had to do a second spray for apple maggot. Hope this helps! Dennis Norton Royal Oak Farm Orchard 15908 Hebron Rd. Harvard, IL 60033-9357 Office (815) 648-4467 Mobile (815) 228-2174 Fax (609) 228-2174 http://www.royaloakfarmorchard.com http://www.theorchardkeeper.blogspot.com http://www.revivalhymn.com - Original Message - From: Arthur Kelly To: Apple-Crop Sent: Thursday, August 05, 2010 6:24 AM Subject: Apple-Crop: Apple Maggot Does anyone have any experience with Assail as an apple maggot control? Art Kelly Kelly Orchards Acton, ME
Re: Apple-Crop: Dodine and captane fungicides applied during bloom
Came across this article this morning and thought it quite interesting. http://westernfarmpress.com/mag/farming_fungicides_reduce_hinder/ Dennis Norton Royal Oak Farm Orchard 15908 Hebron Rd. Harvard, IL 60033-9357 Office (815) 648-4467 Mobile (815) 228-2174 Fax (609) 228-2174 http://www.royaloakfarmorchard.com http://www.theorchardkeeper.blogspot.com http://www.revivalhymn.com - Original Message - From: Jose Manuel Pereira Cardoso zemane...@gmail.com To: Apple-Crop apple-crop@virtualorchard.net Sent: Monday, April 26, 2010 6:07 AM Subject: Apple-Crop: Dodine and captane fungicides applied during bloom Hi greetings to all I don't know if every one is aware that dodine and captane fungicides applied during bloom period have some affects on pollen germination, and reduction in fruit set is observed. I ask someone who have verified this or a have knwlodge of a paper discusssings this subject. -- JMP CARDOSO -- The 'Apple-Crop' LISTSERV is sponsored by the Virtual Orchard http://www.virtualorchard.net and managed by Win Cowgill and Jon Clements webmas...@virtualorchard.net. Apple-Crop is not moderated. Therefore, the statements do not represent official opinions and the Virtual Orchard takes no responsibility for the content. -- The 'Apple-Crop' LISTSERV is sponsored by the Virtual Orchard http://www.virtualorchard.net and managed by Win Cowgill and Jon Clements webmas...@virtualorchard.net. Apple-Crop is not moderated. Therefore, the statements do not represent official opinions and the Virtual Orchard takes no responsibility for the content.
Re: Apple-Crop: Thinning SunCrisp
One of the best little tools I have seen is Philip Schwallier's (from MSU) power point presentation on Enhancing Return Bloom with Summer NAA. We also grow Suncrisp and have used his various models with much success as part of our overall thinning program. Based on the recent article on the MSU Advisory web site, you should be able to adapt it for your location. The article is at http://www.ipmnews.msu.edu/fruit/Fruit/tabid/123/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/167/Apple-thinning-2009.aspx and the PPT presentation is at http://www.portal.msue.msu.edu/objects/content_revision/download.cfm/revision_id.267445/workspace_id.-30/Poster%20Return%20Bloom%20-%20NAA.ppt/. I also have a copy in PDF format if you do not have Power Point that I would be happy to e-mail you. Hope this helps! Dennis Norton Royal Oak Farm Orchard Office (815) 648-4467 Mobile (815) 228-2174 Fax (609) 228-2174 http://www.royaloakfarmorchard.com http://www.theorchardkeeper.blogspot.com http://www.revivalhymn.com - Original Message - From: f...@juno.com To: apple-crop@virtualorchard.net Sent: Thursday, May 07, 2009 9:43 AM Subject: Apple-Crop: Thinning SunCrisp I am managing a block of SunCrisp (NJ 55) apples that are going biennial. I can't seem to lay my hands on any published material suggesting rates and timing of chemicals to achieve sufficient thinning. I do plan to follow up with ethephon. I'm hoping someone in the Mid Atlantic region who is familiar with variety could at least point me in the right direction. Evan Owen Autumn Hills Groton, MA Be your own boss today! Easy startup businesses. Click here. http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL2141/fc/BLSrjpTEJJs9YDIsY0qnCBIP8XjJS82gWdutZMpwIbUcCSLLdjQE9R3vRTK/ -- The 'Apple-Crop' LISTSERV is sponsored by the Virtual Orchard http://www.virtualorchard.net and managed by Win Cowgill and Jon Clements webmas...@virtualorchard.net. Apple-Crop is not moderated. Therefore, the statements do not represent official opinions and the Virtual Orchard takes no responsibility for the content. -- The 'Apple-Crop' LISTSERV is sponsored by the Virtual Orchard http://www.virtualorchard.net and managed by Win Cowgill and Jon Clements webmas...@virtualorchard.net. Apple-Crop is not moderated. Therefore, the statements do not represent official opinions and the Virtual Orchard takes no responsibility for the content.
Re: Apple-Crop: Early bearing
We have found that branch bending has worked the best for us on B9 and M9 as well as M26. We use the rubber bands now and find that they require the least amount of time of any other technique. We use the bio-degradable in May and they are gone by August or just after terminals have set. With the wires, you have to go back and retrieve them later which does take some time. With either vertical axe or tall spindle, pruning is at a minimum, so more time is saved on pruning. In my opinion, this is the most cost effective method of all. We are now in the process of going back to our vertical axe trees planted 8 x 14 and are converting them to tall spindle as we interplant new trees between 4-5 year olds and doubling density to 4 x 14. If anyone is interested in more detail feel free to contact me. Dennis Norton Royal Oak Farm Orchard Office (815) 648-4467 Mobile (815) 228-2174 Fax (609) 228-2174 http://www.royaloakfarmorchard.com http://www.theorchardkeeper.blogspot.com http://www.revivalhymn.com - Original Message - From: Maurice Tougas To: Apple-Crop Sent: Tuesday, March 10, 2009 7:00 PM Subject: Re: Apple-Crop: Early bearing I've found all the techniques mentioned work to some degree. I suspect that the more of them employed, the more likely you will succeed. One mentioned only briefly was the bending of branches below horizontal. It can be is very time consuming, and very effective. People of course have been using spreaders, weights, kite string, pea string, rubber bands,.. but what we've been using for a few years now are 18-24 inch pieces of soft 14 or 16 ga wire. Either bend a small loop at each end in the shop, or carry them straight in bundles and make quick loops in orchard. Quick and easy, and can be repositioned later. If 18 is too short, loop two together. Mo Tougas Tougas Family Farm Northborough, MA On Mar 10, 2009, at 6:58 PM, jscr...@aol.com wrote: My experience is that in Virginia Spys are late producers. Scoring really works. There are more and less severe scoring, you might want to try several types on some limbs. The least severe is one cut around the trunk under the scaffold limps. The most severe would be to remove about 1/8 inch section. Some remove a larger section and replace it upside down. It is most important to cover any such wound to keep it from drying and from fire blight. I have used several layers of masking tape. It will come off by itself later. One or two weeks after bloom is when I have made the scoring. Good luck, you can really get their attention with scoring. John Crumlpacker Timberville, Virginia 540 896 6000 In a message dated 3/10/2009 4:00:47 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, schoo...@kwic.com writes: Would someone care to divulge a recipe for getting slow-to-bear varieties into production sooner. I have Northern Spy in mind using Ethrel or NAA or combinations. Apogee perhaps. Other techniques? Harold Schooley Orchards Limited Simcoe, Ontario Canada Need a job? Find employment help in your area.
Re: Apple-Crop: Early bearing
We purchase the 6 rubber bands from Peach Ridge Orchard Supply in Michigan. You can find the information on them at http://www.peachridge.com/treetraining/training.htm, third item down. Dennis Norton Royal Oak Farm Orchard Office (815) 648-4467 Mobile (815) 228-2174 Fax (609) 228-2174 http://www.royaloakfarmorchard.com http://www.theorchardkeeper.blogspot.com http://www.revivalhymn.com - Original Message - From: Harold Schooley To: 'Apple-Crop' Sent: Wednesday, March 11, 2009 1:12 PM Subject: RE: Apple-Crop: Early bearing What is the length of these rubber bands and where available? Harold -- From: apple-crop@virtualorchard.net [mailto:apple-c...@virtualorchard.net] On Behalf Of dmnor...@royaloakfarmorchard.com Sent: Wednesday, March 11, 2009 1:20 PM To: Apple-Crop Subject: Re: Apple-Crop: Early bearing We have found that branch bending has worked the best for us on B9 and M9 as well as M26. We use the rubber bands now and find that they require the least amount of time of any other technique. We use the bio-degradable in May and they are gone by August or just after terminals have set. With the wires, you have to go back and retrieve them later which does take some time. With either vertical axe or tall spindle, pruning is at a minimum, so more time is saved on pruning. In my opinion, this is the most cost effective method of all. We are now in the process of going back to our vertical axe trees planted 8 x 14 and are converting them to tall spindle as we interplant new trees between 4-5 year olds and doubling density to 4 x 14. If anyone is interested in more detail feel free to contact me. Dennis Norton Royal Oak Farm Orchard Office (815) 648-4467 Mobile (815) 228-2174 Fax (609) 228-2174 http://www.royaloakfarmorchard.com http://www.theorchardkeeper.blogspot.com http://www.revivalhymn.com - Original Message - From: Maurice Tougas To: Apple-Crop Sent: Tuesday, March 10, 2009 7:00 PM Subject: Re: Apple-Crop: Early bearing I've found all the techniques mentioned work to some degree. I suspect that the more of them employed, the more likely you will succeed. One mentioned only briefly was the bending of branches below horizontal. It can be is very time consuming, and very effective. People of course have been using spreaders, weights, kite string, pea string, rubber bands,.. but what we've been using for a few years now are 18-24 inch pieces of soft 14 or 16 ga wire. Either bend a small loop at each end in the shop, or carry them straight in bundles and make quick loops in orchard. Quick and easy, and can be repositioned later. If 18 is too short, loop two together. Mo Tougas Tougas Family Farm Northborough, MA On Mar 10, 2009, at 6:58 PM, jscr...@aol.com wrote: My experience is that in Virginia Spys are late producers. Scoring really works. There are more and less severe scoring, you might want to try several types on some limbs. The least severe is one cut around the trunk under the scaffold limps. The most severe would be to remove about 1/8 inch section. Some remove a larger section and replace it upside down. It is most important to cover any such wound to keep it from drying and from fire blight. I have used several layers of masking tape. It will come off by itself later. One or two weeks after bloom is when I have made the scoring. Good luck, you can really get their attention with scoring. John Crumlpacker Timberville, Virginia 540 896 6000 In a message dated 3/10/2009 4:00:47 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, schoo...@kwic.com writes: Would someone care to divulge a recipe for getting slow-to-bear varieties into production sooner. I have Northern Spy in mind using Ethrel or NAA or combinations. Apogee perhaps. Other techniques? Harold Schooley Orchards Limited Simcoe, Ontario Canada Need a job? Find employment help in your area.
Re: Apple-Crop: Pruning established open-center apple trees
Steven, I don't know if you were looking to purchase a video, but I do have a video by Gary Moulton that is one of the best I have seen on all aspects of pruning, including the pruning of open center trees. It's available on my blog at http://www.theorchardkeeper.blogspot.com. I hope this helps! Dennis Norton Royal Oak Farm Orchard Office (815) 648-4467 Mobile (815) 228-2174 Fax (609) 228-2174 http://www.royaloakfarmorchard.com http://www.theorchardkeeper.blogspot.com http://www.revivalhymn.com - Original Message - From: Steven R. Kanner, MD To: apple-crop@virtualorchard.net Sent: Sunday, February 22, 2009 9:15 AM Subject: Apple-Crop: Pruning established open-center apple trees I have a small 3-acre orchard, half of which are long-established red spy and McIntosh, which I have rehabbed reasonably well over the past 6 years. I could use advice on pruning the larger open-center trees, especially what to do on the top scaffold limbs. How many of the suckers to eliminate, how to stop telephone-pole development and so forth. There is an excellent peach-pruning video on the UMass Fruit Advisor which greatly clarifies the strategy for pruning peach trees. There is also a good one on central leader apples on short root-stock. Can someone point me to a comparable video, or clear written advice, to deal with the pruning strategy for the heirloom open-center trees, especially the top level of the canopy? Thanks. Regards, SRK Steven R. Kanner, MD 12 Bypass Road Lincoln, MA 01773 srkanne...@post.harvard.edu
Re: Apple-Crop: Stooling Beds
Lee, In my research I have come across the Farmer Trainer training manual on Tree Crop Propagation and Management that has a module on stooling. The manual can be found at http://www.gtz-treecrops.org/TrainingManuals.htm and the module in PDF format is at http://www.gtz-treecrops.org/Downloads/Manuals/Propagation/Mod04.pdf. In future Google searches try rooting and stool bed preparation. it produced some pretty good results for me in my own research. Also, the American Horticultural Society's Plant Propagation book has several pages with excellent photos on the beds themselves. You can find it at http://tinyurl.com/b85n8d interested. I hope this is what you were looking for. Dennis Norton Royal Oak Farm Orchard Office (815) 648-4467 Mobile (815) 228-2174 Fax (609) 228-2174 http://www.royaloakfarmorchard.com http://www.theorchardkeeper.blogspot.com http://www.revivalhymn.com - Original Message - From: lee elliott To: Apple-Crop Sent: Wednesday, January 28, 2009 5:09 PM Subject: Apple-Crop: Stooling Beds From: Lee Elliott pippm...@yahoo.com Subject: Apple-Crop: Stooling beds To: Apple-Crop apple-crop@virtualorchard.net Date:Wed, 1-28-09 How to start a stooling bed, can't find anything on Google
Re: Apple-Crop: wanted: Bean sprayer hitch
David, Would a Model 5170, 1170, 5200, 1200 swivel clevis work. If so you might be able to get a replacement at http://johnbeansprayers.durand-wayland.com/ . We have a Durand-Wayland air blast that is about 15 years old and have good luck getting parts through them. It still works great! Also, we have a used Air King that is for sale with a similar hitch. Don't know if it would work or not. Send me a photo and I can check it out. Dennis Norton Royal Oak Farm Orchard http://www.royaloakfarmorchard.com http://www.theorchardkeeper.blogspot.com http://www.revivalhymn.com - Original Message - From: David Doud To: Apple-Crop Sent: Thursday, March 06, 2008 8:14 PM Subject: Apple-Crop: wanted: Bean sprayer hitch I have a (very) old Bean 500g high pressure sprayer with a broken clevis - I want to find a new (used) piece so I can use the sprayer for some hand gunning this spring - anybody got one of these mouldering in the fence row somewhere? - or who can direct me to the sprayer salvage yard? - the piece I need is the clevis that the hitch pin fits thru - this clevis is attached to the sprayer with a large bolt to the rest of the (rotating) hitch assembly - I'll be happy to send a picture if that would help anyone - thanks David Doud - northcentral Indiana - still very much winter here - snow and ice and more coming -
Re: Apple-Crop: Apple Harvest
We were running about a week ahead of schedule until this week when the temps started hitting the 40's at night and 60's during the day. We are about 1 mile south of the Wisconsin/Illinois border. Now we seem to be just about right since we have hit the lows of 41 and 43 over the past several nights. Once the temps lowered I have left some varieties on the trees a bit longer so the Brix can increase. Cortland and Liberty seem to not have been effected by the heat, but Gala Jonamac, Ozark Gold and McIntosh ran ahead by at least a week. But we have the best Ozark Gold we have ever had! Since we sell direct to the public we can leave the apples on the tress until they hit 14, except Honeycrisp that I leave unit they hit 16 or 18. We had an exceptionally hot summer followed by 18 of rain in August. This was the most humid August I ever remember. Maybe the dew points had something to do with the ripening schedule. Dennis Norton Royal Oak Farm Orchard http://www.royaloakfarmorchard.com http://www.theorchardkeeper.blogspot.com http://www.revivalhymn.com - Original Message - From: Bill Shoemaker To: Apple-Crop Sent: Thursday, September 13, 2007 6:48 AM Subject: Re: Apple-Crop: Apple Harvest We seem to be way ahead of schedule in northern Illinois as well. Similar story, an early start, warm but not especially hot, then very wet, particularly through August. I can't remember another season when the crops matured so early, though I remember hotter seasons. Anyone else notice this and have an explanation? We escaped the notorius Easter freeze so perhaps an earlier start to the season coupled with the warmer than average temperatures? Bill Shoemaker, Sr Research Specialist, Food Crops University of Illinois - St Charles Horticulture Research Center www..nres.uiuc.edu/faculty/directory/shoemaker_wh.html Hello apple people, The apple harvest here in Ireland is about two weeks ahead of schedule,
Re: Apple-Crop: Fruit cracking/splitting
From what I understand, there are two types of fruit cracking,both of which are genetic. We have had an issue with it in Gala is the past. Physiological Cracking often occurs on Stayman and other varieties when a high percentage of fruit may split or crack, starting in July. This type of cracking is usually related to the water status in the tree and fruit, but there seems to be no way to suppress cracking to acceptable levels. We took our Stayman out for this reason and replaced with Honeycrisp. Maturity Cracking develops on varieties such as 'Golden Delicious' cultivars and 'Gala', often at the stem end, as the apples become mature. This type of cracking can be minimized by harvesting fruit as the first fruits start to crack and applying foliar calcium sprays, which speaks to the nutrient deficiency. Under severe conditions, fruit cracking can also occur with Cork Spot during the growing season, and is characterized by localized green to brown sunken spots on the fruit or in the flesh. The spots in the flesh, which may or may not develop just under the skin, are brown, corky, dead tissue, and are more prominent toward the calyx half of the apple. The spots in the flesh have a bitter taste. The corky dead tissue sometimes appears inside the crack if the disease is severe enough. Since foliar calcium sprays help with the Cork Spot type disorders and has almost cured our Gala cracking in the past, I would recommend a regular foliar spray program for your trees if you don't have one. We typically apply 3 lbs/acre with every spray we do providing there is no tank mix issue with a particular chemical. At the beginning of August we double the rate since we typically do only one spray in August or September. If anyone is interested I will be happy to forward more details on our calcium spray program. Hope this helps! Dennis Norton Royal Oak Farm Orchard http://www.royaloakfarmorchard.com http://www.theorchardkeeper.blogspot.com http://www.revivalhymn.com - Original Message - From: david kollas [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: Apple-Crop apple-crop@virtualorchard.net Sent: Friday, August 03, 2007 10:05 AM Subject: Re: Apple-Crop: Fruit cracking/splitting Since this fruit-cracking topic appeared, along with the photos, I have found two 30 year old Empire trees on which a single branch or scaffold has produced several fruits with symptoms apparently identical to those in the photos from Maine. On one tree about 4 inches length of the branch base, where connected to the central leader, was 90% girdled by dead bark, possibly an infection from a small pruning wound there. In the other tree, the affected scaffold showed a significant percentage of older leaves that were small and rolled, some with white chlorosis along central rib. More recent leaves looked normal. Other scaffolds on the tree were normal, and only the abnormal scaffold produced cracked fruit. These observations suggest to me that nutritional deficiency of some sort may be involved, in these cases, related to poor movement of water and/or other nutrients in the vascular system. From now on, if I find more examples, I will look for signs of injury, such as winter freezing, drought, disease, or physical damage to tissues that carry nutrients to the affected fruit. Absence of any comment by others of nutrient-stress indicators on Karmijn may indicate that we are looking at very different disorders. David Kollas Kollas Orchard Tolland, Connecticu On Friday, August 3, 2007, at 06:11 AM, Con.Traas wrote: Richard, I do get similar cracking on my Karmijn from time to time, but not with too much severity, so I never went into it too carefully. It is clearly year-dependant, but why is a more difficult issue. I have not associated the problem with cold post blossom weather, as we often get that, but perhaps it is a factor. I think wet summer weather may play a part also. I do feel that the trees with a lighter set are more prone, as are trees that don't get a program on GA4+7 for russet reduction. However, the crop load on trees getting the GA treatment is usually higher than that on trees which do not get it, so whether it is an indirect or direct effect of the GA is difficult to guess. I do also feel that there are some trees that seem more prone year-on-year than others. Is this clonal variation, or a rootstock effect, or could there be a contributing latent virus, either in the rootstock or scion? As you can see, I am contributing no answers to your question; only more questions. However, I do think that treating the tree in such a way to maximise crop load (which is seldom too heavy on Karmijn) reduces the problem. By the way, I was intrigued to read that Derry's Karmijn are under cover. I would love to hear more about this. Con Traas The Apple Farm Ireland -Original Message- From: apple-crop@virtualorchard.net [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of Richard J. Ossolinski
Re: Apple-Crop: Iron in irrigation well
We are in northern Illinois and have the same problem. We use a phosphoric acid injection system once per season to clean out the system. We have 7 wells around the orchard, but use only 2 for irrigation with 2 pump houses. The system is not very expensive and we picked it up from Trickl-eez in Michigan. You can find them at http://www.trickl-eez.com/. We switched over to drip tape from ram for our field uses such as rapsberries, pumpkins, squash and gourds. The drip tape is about 1/10th the cost of ram and it is cheaper to replace it each season rather than clean out the ram. for our 11,000 trees, we continue to use ram with the injection system. Here's their recommendations for cleaning out a system. Hope this helps! The University of Georgia College of Agricultural Environmental Sciences Cooperative Extension Service Drip Chemigation: Acid Darbie M. Granberry, Extension Horticulturist; Kerry A. Harrison, Extension Engineer; William Terry Kelley, Extension Horticulturist Acidification to Remove Mineral Deposits Acid Injection Mineral precipitates can form deposits (scale) that clog emitters. The most common deposits are calcium or magnesium carbonates and iron oxides. Since precipitation occurs more readily in water with a high pH (above 7.0), precipitation of these compounds can be prevented by continuous injection (whenever the system is operating) of a small amount of acid to maintain water pH just below 7.0. A more popular control method is to remove deposits as they are formed by periodic injection of a greater volume to acid. Enough acid should be injected continuously for 45 to 60 minutes to reduce the water pH to 4.0 or 5.0. Phosphoric acid (which also supplies phosphate to the root zone), sulfuric acid, or hydrochloric (muriatic) acids are commonly used. The selection of a specific acid depends on cost and availability, water quality, the severity of clogging, and nutrient needs of the crop. The amount of acid required to treat a system depends on (1) the strength of the acid being used, (2) the buffering capacity of the irrigation water and (3) the pH (of the irrigation water) needed to dissolve mineral precipitates in lines and emitters. The required pH of the irrigation water (target pH) depends on the severity of mineral deposits. Experience is helpful when estimating target pH. To determine the volume of a selected acid needed at a specific site, estimate the target pH and run a titration test (as described below) using the selected acid and irrigation water from the site. This test will indicate the volume of acid required to lower the pH of a selected volume of water to the target pH. Titration provides an acid volume:water volume ratio that can be used in conjunction with the system flowrate to determine the appropriate acid injection rate. The acid injection rate is determined by dividing the volume of water by the flowrate of the irrigation system and multiplying the result by the volume of acid added to reach the target pH. Titration A water container, a non-corrosive measuring cup, beaker or pipette calibrated in small increments such as milliliters, and a portable pH meter are needed to run the titration test. The volume of the container may be as small as 10 liters (about 3 gallons) or as large as 55 gallons. In general, the smaller the increments used when measuring and dispensing the acid into water, the smaller the required container. To run the titration test, put a known volume of water (from the site) into the container and check the pH. Add a small amount of acid (1-3 ml for 3 gallons, 4-8 ml for 30 or more gallons) to the water, stir and re-check the pH. Continue this process until the target pH is attained. As the acidity of the water nears the target pH, add acid in very small increments (1 ml); otherwise, the pH may quickly drop below the target pH and necessitate repeating the test. Always add acid to water. Caution: Never add water to acid. The following example illustrates how to determine the required volume of acid and the appropriate acid injection rate. Example:For a system with a flowrate of 200 gal/min. · Based on the severity of mineral deposits in the system, a target pH of 4.5 and an injection period of one hour are selected. · Put 50 gallons of water into a 55-gal drum. Check the pH. Meter indicates pH of 7.4. · Add 8 ml phosphoric acid. Check the pH. Meter indicates pH of 6.9. · Add 7 more ml phosphoric acid. Check the pH. Meter indicates pH of 6.0. · Add 4 more ml phosphoric acid. Check the pH. Meter indicates pH of 5.3. · Add 1 more ml phosphoric acid. Check the pH. Meter indicates target pH of 4.5. · 20 ml (8+7+4+1) of phosphoric acid were required to lower the pH of 50 gal of water to the target pH of 4.5. · Divide 50 gal by the system flowrate of 200 gal/minute and multiply the result by the ml of phosphoric acid required to reach the target pH.
Re: Apple-Crop: Referral needed - orchards and sheep
If you run livestock in your orchard and your orchard is a U-Pick orchard, just don't let your liability insurance company know you have livestock among your trees. Ours requires the orchard be fenced in to keep livestock out! Dennis Norton Royal Oak Farm Orchard http://www.royaloakfarmorchard.com http://www.theorchardkeeper.blogspot.com http://www.revivalhymn.com - Original Message - From: Smith, Tim [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: Apple-Crop apple-crop@virtualorchard.net Sent: Tuesday, June 26, 2007 2:34 PM Subject: RE: Apple-Crop: Referral needed - orchards and sheep I'm sorry, I stand corrected. It isn't against the law to run livestock in an orchard. I guess you can choose to run livestock in your orchard, just not while fruit is present? Read the letter from Ronald Gaskill carefully. Are you certain that frozen domestic livestock waste, thawing in the spring will never be an actual or perceived issue re: E. coli? What happened to spinach sales after that incidence? I stand by my opinion (opinion!) that production of livestock inside the orchard environment would not be considered a good practice by most consumers. Timothy J. Smith WSU Extension, Chelan, Douglas Okanogan Counties -Original Message- From: apple-crop@virtualorchard.net [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Arthur Harvey Sent: Tuesday, June 26, 2007 10:44 AM To: Apple-Crop Subject: RE: Apple-Crop: Referral needed - orchards and sheep This is not correct. The example given of animals in orchards during the fall, does not violate organic rules. Many, if not most, organic farmers in Maine apply manure in the fall in order to avoid the cumbersome composting rules. I know, because I inspect those farms for a certifier. --- Smith, Tim [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Hello apple-croppers, There is specific language in the organic rules, and many import/export agreements forbidding the use of uncomposted animal poo as a fertilizer. I don't believe the direct deposit of the animal byproducts would be considered as o.k. You may not wish to join in with the system that sets these conditions, but if you direct market, it would be best if you didn't let your customers see the sheep in the orchard. It just doesn't look very clean, if you catch my drift. Unless you plan to utilize diapers on the various animals that may graze under/in your trees, it seems that the market would at least be nervous about possible E. coli issues. I don't believe orchards and livestock have ever really been really compatible, and may be even less so now. It sounds like such a good idea in the books, but chickens and goats (sheep, hamsters, cattle, warthogs, etc.) never really add much to the otherwise wholesome image of low-impact fruit production. Timothy J. Smith WSU Extension, Chelan, Douglas Okanogan Counties -Original Message- From: apple-crop@virtualorchard.net [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Bill Howell Sent: Monday, June 25, 2007 10:10 AM To: Apple-Crop Subject: Re: Apple-Crop: Referral needed - orchards and sheep Several years ago we worked with Linda Hardesty of WSU's Department of Natural Resource Sciences on a LISA grant to study the potential of using sheep to control under story growth in a mature cherry orchard. The pasture treatments were - 1. what existed naturally, 2. a planted mixture of orchard grass and Bird's foot trefoil. Grazed and non-grazed plots were set up for each treatment. You should contact Linda ([EMAIL PROTECTED] ) for more advice on forage for sheep in an orchard setting for Western Washington. A larger part of the experiment for us was convincing sheep not to eat cherry foliage. Those efforts included barriers (movable pens, fencing, head elevation restrictors for the sheep) and aversion training (similar to what some alcoholics might endure to wean themselves from the bottle). We only had problems with debarking when the animals were allowed to stay in the orchard for extended periods of time. It was best only to allow them in the orchard for short feeding cycles. Bedding down was best allowed in a nearby pen. All in all, it was a very interesting study. However, in the end I found the effort more than the wool and meat were worth. I valued my trees as significantly more important than the small livestock operation. Someone else might figure out a better way. Linda tells me she knows of a few growers who allow sheepherders to sweep their flocks through large orchards in the fall to clean up weeds, leaves and fruit drops. Bill Howell Yakima Valley, WA - Original Message - From: Stina Booth [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: Apple-Crop apple-crop@virtualorchard.net Sent: Saturday, January 03, 1970 3:54 AM Subject: Re: Apple-Crop: Referral needed I tried sheep under my full sized pear trees, and ended up having to put fences around each tree as the sheep were climbing up in the tree to eat the young fruit and the leaves. I pulled the sheep
Re: Apple-Crop: Early season hail damage
I'm curious. Did anyone experiencing hail damage do a strep spray within 24 hours of the hail (trauma)? Dennis Norton Royal Oak Farm Orchard http://www.royaloakfarmorchard.com http://www.theorchardkeeper.blogspot.com http://www.revivalhymn.com - Original Message - From: Daryl Hunter To: Apple-Crop Sent: Saturday, June 23, 2007 5:24 PM Subject: Re: Apple-Crop: Early season hail damage Glen, Not far away from you, across the border in Keswick Ridge, New Brunswick we got hit twice in the same day with severe hail damage. I've posted some pictures to illustrate. http://naturetone.tripod.com/hail/index.htm These fruit are about 3/4 to 1 inch in diameter. Obviously fruit in the lower canopy got less damage, bruising but not cutting. (Ignore the advertising on these two pages it is automatic when using free web sites.) Daryl Hunter Keswick Ridge New Brunswick Canada - Original Message - From: Maurice Tougas To: Apple-Crop Sent: Saturday, June 23, 2007 12:37 PM Subject: Re: Apple-Crop: Early season hail damage Glen In early July 2001 we experienced a pretty good hail storm on our 25 acres of apples. All fruit had at least dents, many multiple skin pierces. Crop insurance adjuster called it 100% loss. We sell all of our crop retail, mostly pyo. It was heartbreaking for the entire season to look at all those damaged fruit every day. We spent the next month thinning out as many torn fruit as we could. That was a good move. At harvest we explained to all customer that the fruit had been Kissed by Mother Nature. We found that most (99% )customers were content, though they did not purchase as much fruit as they would have. I felt we had already sustained a loss of volume, and an increase in expenses, and so could not afford a loss on price, and so we raised our price 15% over the last years price. That turned out to be the best decision we made, as our dollar sales that year were the best in 20 years. I know it is counter intuitive, but the numbers do not lie.Be upfront with your customers. They have a stake in your continuing in business. Remind them of that! Last night we saw hail for the second time this season. Last year, twice, and twice in 2001. In the previous 20 years, we saw hail 1 time. Is this pattern typical for a short period, or are we entering a prolonged pattern? Maurice Tougas Tougas Family Farm Northborough,MA On Jun 22, 2007, at 10:08 PM, Karl Townsend wrote: The grower and I would appreciate hearing from folks who have experienced similar situation and what were the eventual effects of the early season not-cutting hail dents. Thanks, Glen Those dents will leave a dead and pithy spot in the apple just under the surface. Not number 1 grade. I'm sure no two hail storms are exactly the same. In the last 25 years we've had early hail three times. I think it pays for farm market orchards to go through the trees and hand thin most of the hail marks out. The remaining fruit will be larger and higher quality. And its easier to sort bad apples out now so you don't have an awful time at harvest. Of course if you've got 70% plus damage, save your time - go fishing. I feel for you, its a real heartbreak. Karl
Re: Apple-Crop: Strains of Red Delicious
We have been removing our Red delicious trees for the past 3 years and replacing with Ginger Gold, Sansa, Crispin, Early Auvil Fuji and Honeycrisp. But we have kept our Dixie Red Delicious since it has become a customer favorite over standard Red Delicious. Dixie Red Delicious has an intense and completely red color with superior white flesh makes it a favorite. It's a better late keeper in cool storage and has a late September harvest. Ours came from Stark Brothers. Dennis Norton Royal Oak Farm Orchard http://www.royaloakfarmorchard.com http://www.theorchardkeeper.blogspot.com http://www.revivalhymn.com - Original Message - From: Bill Shoemaker To: Apple-Crop Sent: Wednesday, May 09, 2007 8:23 PM Subject: Re: Apple-Crop: Strains of Red Delicious Hello everyone, I am going to plant more Red Delicious in 2008. David Barclay I'm glad to hear you say this David. I've never stopped liking Red Delicious apple, I just won't buy them in mass retail outlets. Frankly, every variety seems to be abused by the distribution system so much they develop bad reputations, Red Delicioud being the worst case scenario. When New Zealand introduced Gala I told my wife it's a matter of time before the marketing system ruins them. The last few years we've had more disappointments with Gala than satisfaction. These varieties are redeemable. I'm not sure our system of distribution and mass-marketing of apples is. We have an old-strain non-spur Red Delicious tree at the Research Center. I look forward to the crops every year. I actually let them ripen before we pick them! Bill William H. Shoemaker Sr Research Specialist, Food Crops St Charles Horticulture Research Center University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign -- CoreComm Webmail. http://home.core.com
