Hi Mo,
Another question about flower thinning: I guess in my first writing I should
have said I have been removing the whole blossom. Should I keep or remove the
small leaves that were around the buds?
I have been removing the whole cluster, leaves and all and still not confident
if I'm doing it right. Should I let the cluster open up more and just grab the
flower buds? Too many variances in the images of what is labeled "tight
cluster" on the web. Some images show the leaves completely unfurled where you
could just grab the flower buds,and others show the leaves still mostly wrapped
around the buds such that you'd have to remove the leaves with the buds. Or if
it doesn't matter either way.
Thanks,
Rye Hefley
So Cal
>________________________________
> From: maurice tougas <[email protected]>
>To: Apple-crop discussion list <[email protected]>
>Sent: Saturday, February 2, 2013 3:09 AM
>Subject: Re: [apple-crop] Removing Flowers by hand
>
>
>You're doing fine Rye. You will encourage growth and do no harm. You'll also
>reduce the potential for fireblight infections. We simply pinch the buds at or
>as they break "tight cluster". Prefer not removing entire spur as we may want
>fruit there next year. It's time consuming, but for fireblight reduction and
>increased growth response, worth it.
>
>
>Mo Tougas
>Grower, Tougas Family Farm
>
>
>
>On Fri, Feb 1, 2013 at 6:38 PM, Rye Hefley <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>
>>I am removing flowers by hand this year to promote scaffolding growth. When I
>>see a flower that is protruding from the bud (before it is open), I grab the
>>whole bud and pull it off. I started to wonder if this is in any way harmful
>>to my goal of scaffold growth. Is there a "right time" and "right way" to
>>manually remove flowers? I'm not looking to grow any fruit this year just
>>scaffolding.
>>
>>Thanks,
>>Rye Hefley
>>So Cal
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>>http://virtualorchard.net/mailman/listinfo/apple-crop
>>
>
>
>
>--
>Maurice Tougas
>Tougas Family Farm
>Northborough,MA 01532
>508-450-0844
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>
>
>
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