Re: Apple-Crop: Early bearing
Jon, Is your program still alive and kicking? I imagine your job is safe, and soon be rolling ahead into another growing season. Got a kick out of your extension video on training systems and spreading. You are to be commended for the good work your doing on behalf of the industry. All sorts of things are happening at UVM but no PSS cuts yet except for the diary staff. I think all hell could break loose in mid May after school is out. Lorraine landed a big organic grant with some cooperators and has put in for a million dollar grant, with others, to keep her position alive. Terry is going the M.S. route with Lorraine for two years. The Berketts are here this week. Carol and I are all well, along with the kids. When you have a minute or two bring me up to date. Off to the Park. Jose Virgina Spys? That is a new one on me. Northern Spy? Good luck, notoriously late bearing as you may already know. I don't think having them on M.9 even helps. (Although it can't hurt!) FYI, you can see the wire limb benders in action that Mo Tougas speaks of here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cBC5oOo4oJw Jon Jon Clements Extension Tree Fruit Specialist UMass Cold Spring Orchard 393 Sabin Street Belchertown, MA 01007 VOICE 413.478.7219 FAX 413.323.6647 IM mrhoneycrisp Skype Name mrhoneycrisp 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. -- The 'Apple-Crop' LISTSERV is sponsored by the Virtual Orchardhttp://www.virtualorchard.net and managed by Win Cowgill and JonClements webmas...@virtualorchard.net. Apple-Crop is not moderated. Therefore, the statements do not representofficial opinions and the Virtual Orchard takes no responsibility forthe 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
Hello In our area we are used with making fruit from vigour, we try not to use chemicals or girdling, or root cuts, to lower the global shoot growth. This we think would drive the orchard to less potential. In most of the situation, no pruning (at least till fruit set comes), rope bending, low nitrogen supply can achieve the job. This is investment since it takes only 2 or 3 years of intensive care. What we call equilibrium is reached when the tree crops on a regular base, and makes the necessary and sufficient wood and buds for the next year. Depending on soil climate conditions, rootstock, variety habit, the equilibrium is reached for a tree volume that can be very variable (2 meters to 6 meters tall trees). Tree and row spacing at plantings must anticipate this tree volume, not so easy to tune. Jean Marc Jourdain www dot Ctifl dot fr France south west De : apple-crop@virtualorchard.net [mailto:apple-c...@virtualorchard.net] De la part de Harold Schooley Envoyé : mardi 10 mars 2009 20:32 À : Apple-crop Objet : Apple-Crop: Early bearing 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 Schooley Orchards Limited Simcoe, Ontario Canada
Re: Apple-Crop: Early bearing
We planted Northern Spy on bud-9 in 2002 at 5'X15'. Could have been 5'X14'. Very little pruning other than to keep the tree in balance, Axe system, some crop 2006 and full crop by 2008. No treatments. Raining here today but I was up to my knees in snow yesterday pruning. Art Kelly Kelly Orchards Acton, ME - Original Message - From: Jourdain Jean-Marc To: Apple-Crop Sent: Wednesday, March 11, 2009 4:46 AM Subject: RE: Apple-Crop: Early bearing Hello In our area we are used with making fruit from vigour, we try not to use chemicals or girdling, or root cuts, to lower the global shoot growth. This we think would drive the orchard to less potential. In most of the situation, no pruning (at least till fruit set comes), rope bending, low nitrogen supply can achieve the job. This is investment since it takes only 2 or 3 years of intensive care. What we call equilibrium is reached when the tree crops on a regular base, and makes the necessary and sufficient wood and buds for the next year. Depending on soil climate conditions, rootstock, variety habit, the equilibrium is reached for a tree volume that can be very variable (2 meters to 6 meters tall trees). Tree and row spacing at plantings must anticipate this tree volume, not so easy to tune. Jean Marc Jourdain www dot Ctifl dot fr France south west -- De : apple-crop@virtualorchard.net [mailto:apple-c...@virtualorchard.net] De la part de Harold Schooley Envoyé : mardi 10 mars 2009 20:32 À : Apple-crop Objet : Apple-Crop: Early bearing 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 Schooley Orchards Limited Simcoe, Ontario Canada
Re: Apple-Crop: Early bearing
What really worked for me was to top-work N Spy onto 8 Year old Bud 9 or M9 trees, some were old Gold Del some were Johnathan, top works were producing well in 3 years, Lee Elliott, Winchester, Il --- On Tue, 3/10/09, Harold Schooley schoo...@kwic.com wrote: From: Harold Schooley schoo...@kwic.com Subject: Apple-Crop: Early bearing To: Apple-crop apple-crop@virtualorchard.net Date: Tuesday, March 10, 2009, 2:32 PM 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 Schooley Orchards Limited Simcoe, Ontario Canada
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
In ye olden days they would use a strap with nails, or a metal chain, and whip or beat their apple trees around the trunks. That action wounded, or bruised, the trees and stressed them, just as super dwarfing rootstocks stress trees, and cause them to go into early bearing. Nova Spy, like its siblings Sweet 16 and Sandow, has branches that want to grow straight up, so they need to be bent to a more horizontal position, even if they are on dwarfing rootstocks. Bending the entire trees, as in espalier training, or in a hedge row along a wire, also encourages earlier bearing. If going into your orchard with a whip to beat your trees, I would suggest doing it after dark so nobody can see you. Daryl Hunter Keswick Ridge New Brunswick, Canada - Original Message - From: dmnor...@royaloakfarmorchard.com To: Apple-Crop Sent: Wednesday, March 11, 2009 2:20 PM 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: Early bearing
I see what you mean about doing this after dark. What would the neighbours think. Accidently running into them with the mower and taking some bark off one side works too if I recall. Harold Schooley _ From: apple-crop@virtualorchard.net [mailto:apple-c...@virtualorchard.net] On Behalf Of Daryl Hunter Sent: Wednesday, March 11, 2009 3:47 PM To: Apple-Crop Subject: Re: Apple-Crop: Early bearing In ye olden days they would use a strap with nails, or a metal chain, and whip or beat their apple trees around the trunks. That action wounded, or bruised, the trees and stressed them, just as super dwarfing rootstocks stress trees, and cause them to go into early bearing. Nova Spy, like its siblings Sweet 16 and Sandow, has branches that want to grow straight up, so they need to be bent to a more horizontal position, even if they are on dwarfing rootstocks. Bending the entire trees, as in espalier training, or in a hedge row along a wire, also encourages earlier bearing. If going into your orchard with a whip to beat your trees, I would suggest doing it after dark so nobody can see you. Daryl Hunter Keswick Ridge New Brunswick, Canada - Original Message - From: dmnor...@royaloakfarmorchard.com To: Apple-Crop mailto:apple-crop@virtualorchard.net Sent: Wednesday, March 11, 2009 2:20 PM 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 mailto:m...@tougasfarm.com To: Apple-Crop mailto:apple-crop@virtualorchard.net 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 http://yellowpages.aol.com/search?query=employment_agenciesncid=emlcntusye lp0005 employment help in your area.
RE: Apple-Crop: Early bearing
If cost is the issue it probably only takes about 20 seconds to girdle a tree with a girdling tool . 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 mailto:m...@tougasfarm.com To: Apple-Crop mailto:apple-crop@virtualorchard.net 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 http://yellowpages.aol.com/search?query=employment_agenciesncid=emlcntusye lp0005 employment help in your area. No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 8.0.237 / Virus Database: 270.11.10/1995 - Release Date: 03/11/09 08:28:00
Re: Apple-Crop: Early bearing
You can purchase lengths of wire from Finger Lakes Trellis Supply. They will supply galv or black, in any weight. If you use black 16 or 18 ga, they should rust away and not need to be retrieved. They are not in their catalog, so you'll need to email them for a price. Mo Tougas On Mar 11, 2009, at 2:12 PM, Harold Schooley wrote: 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: 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: Early bearing
http://www.plant.uoguelph.ca/treefruit/documents/ReturnBloomofApples.doc - Original Message - From: Harold Schooley schoo...@kwic.com To: Apple-crop apple-crop@virtualorchard.net Sent: Tuesday, March 10, 2009 2:32 PM Subject: Apple-Crop: Early bearing 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 Schooley Orchards Limited Simcoe, Ontario Canada No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 8.0.237 / Virus Database: 270.11.9/1993 - Release Date: 03/10/09 07:19:00 -- 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
M9 or M26 Harold _ From: apple-crop@virtualorchard.net [mailto:apple-c...@virtualorchard.net] On Behalf Of Patrick Curran Sent: Tuesday, March 10, 2009 4:14 PM To: Apple-Crop Subject: Re: Apple-Crop: Early bearing What rootstock do you have them on? On Mar 10, 2009, at 2:32 PM, Harold Schooley wrote: 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 Schooley Orchards Limited Simcoe, Ontario Canada
Re: Apple-Crop: Early bearing
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. (http://yellowpages.aol.com/search?query=employment_agenciesncid=emlcntusyelp0005)
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
Virgina Spys? That is a new one on me. Northern Spy? Good luck, notoriously late bearing as you may already know. I don't think having them on M.9 even helps. (Although it can't hurt!) FYI, you can see the wire limb benders in action that Mo Tougas speaks of here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cBC5oOo4oJw Jon Jon Clements Extension Tree Fruit Specialist UMass Cold Spring Orchard 393 Sabin Street Belchertown, MA 01007 VOICE 413.478.7219 FAX 413.323.6647 IM mrhoneycrisp Skype Name mrhoneycrisp 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. -- 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
Bending limbs, scoring, summer NAA, and minimal pruning all work. Years ago we used 2 pints of Ethrel with 1 pound of Alar 2 weeks after full bloom...quite effective. Mark Evans Frankfort, Michigan - Original Message - From: Harold Snschooley To: Apple-crop Sent: Tuesday, March 10, 2009 3:32 PM Subject: Apple-Crop: Early bearing 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 Schooley Orchards Limited Simcoe, Ontario Canada
