Everything here at the orchard seems to be off to a great start of fruit development. The blackberries had a heavy bloom and with continued rainfall, there will be an abundant crop of berries. Peaches are in the stage of “cell growth” now and some varieties are starting to color. Although the squirrels have begun their picking of the peaches, our picking won’t begin for about two or three weeks. Apples continue their “cell growth” as well and production looks rather good. Gingergold apples will be the first variety that we’ll offer to our customers, probably the first week of August.
Fire Blight had reared it’s ugly head earlier this season but with the continued heat and dry weather conditions, it seems to have been halted and brought under control. Fire blight is a very destructive disease caused by bacterium that is carried by rain, bees, aphids or other insects. Once the tree is infected with fire blight the branches, especially the growing tips, begin to blacken as if scorched by a fire. Thus the name, fire blight.
It is a season long battle with insect pests in an orchard. We have noticed some aphids in the apple trees. Aphids affect the leaves and first appear at green bud. Aphids can stunt the leaves of the trees and leave messy secretions on the twigs. Aphids multiply fast. There can be twelve (12) generations per year, producing 50 babies each and so if left undisturbed, aphids can be a monumental challenge to the grower. “Nipping them in the bud” is the best way to control an infestation. There are numerous species of aphids such as Rosy, Wooly and Green Apple.
Weed control remains on our list of “to-dos” as does mowing the orchards on a weekly basis. When rainfall is minimal, the less competition there is in the orchard for water, the better it is for the trees and the fruit.
It’s been somewhat hot and dry these past few weeks but maybe with the good shower of rainfall last evening, this dry weather pattern will be broken. We are at the stage of fruit development that rainfall is necessary for good production.
As we celebrate the 4th of July, enjoy being with your friends and family, never forgetting how great it is to be able to celebrate our freedoms.