Doll's Orchards, LLC

First, we offer a sincere “thank you” to all of our customers, old and new.  Without our great customers, we would not be able to have the successful harvest and sales season that we had.   Thanks again for buying from us and helping us “grow.”  No one appreciates our customers more than us.

To say we have had a busy harvest season would be an understatement.  In fact, the intense challenges that present themselves during harvest is the main reason that we haven’t been able to update our posts until now.  Harvest is complete, orders picked up and the closed sign is posted.  It has been a good harvest but not without its challenges.  While the closed sign is up, our plans for next year are being formulated.   This “down” time does not mean “no work” for us.  It is the time of year when behind the scene planning is done and we make an assessment of the problems that came up and how we can produce a better product for our customers.

This past season has seen the new trees in the “pick-your-own ” orchard develop beautifully, a new sales building constructed and a pond built for future irrigation of the trees.  Lots of efforts to get this new orchard operational for next season.

Pruning will be the next focus.  Trees are not quite dormant yet.  The late rains of fall have kept the trees from transforming into dormancy, “falling asleep.”  Many varieties still have their leaves but these are starting to drop as temperatures fall.  The ice storm of last week have impacted the leaves left on the trees as well.  Lots of growth this past year so that will make a busy pruning season.

With Christmas just around the corner, we wish all of you a great holiday season.  Good family, good friends and good times are what life is about.  Merry Christmas!

It has been a challenging and overwhelming harvest season so far.  Peaches were picked, orders filled and the rest taken to market.  Not really a great crop year for peaches.  Although, the flavor was there, the fruit had problems with summer diseases.  The hot, humid weather conditions caused more problems in the peach orchard than what we experienced in other years.

Apple harvest began the first week of August and continues.  We have picked the Gingergold apples as well as Zestar and Sansa.  We plan to finish the Gala and McIntosh and Honey Crisp this week.  September Wonder (early Fuji) will be on this week’s “to do” list as well.  Hopefully, we will get a reprieve from the rains and move picking crews into the Empire by the weekend.

It was a good feeling to get back into the marketing mode again.  Familiar faces as well as new customers have been buying our product at local markets.  We have been selling apples at the Greensburg, Indiana, North Vernon, Indiana, Batesville, Indiana Farmers’ Markets.  We take our apples to White’s Farm in Brookville, Indiana on Wednesday mornings as well.

Not surprising to any grower that the Gala apple has now taken first place honors as the favorite apple of consumers.  Gala apples has been the consistent number one selling variety at our orchard.  It has a great following, even better than Honeycrisp.

We continue to be challenged by summer diseases in the apple orchard too.  Way, way too much rain and humidity with temperatures in the 90’s.  Somewhat discouraging at times, but we are only caretakers of the land and just able to do what we can do.

Weed control continues to be the main order of business in the orchard.  Ideal growing conditions have made the control of grasses and broad leafs a real challenge.  It is an ongoing and continuous job.  Certain species of weeds seem to have developed a resistance to herbicides so weed eater usage continues to be an important deterrent.

There are some apple varieties showing signs of fire blight.  A contagious, systemic, bacterial disease, fire blight attacks the blossoms in early spring, then moves up the twigs and branches through the tree’s system.  Bees, insects, birds, rain and wind easily help the bacteria spread in the orchard.  The name “fire blight” comes from the scorched appearance of the infected leaves, stems and bark.  There is no single practice to control fire blight in an orchard and it can be deadly to new plantings.  Several trees in the pick your own orchard have been destroyed even after many attempts to salvage them.

Although the pick your own orchard will not be producing this season and thus not open to the general public, the plantings look very good.  The apple trees have put on new growth and are becoming very lush and green, thanks to the abundant rainfalls.  Plans for the installation of an irrigation system are underway.

Apple harvest will begin in about four weeks.  Seems like yesterday that the equipment was put away in winter storage and now it is coming out for another season.  Guess “time does fly when you’re having fun.”

Again, you are encouraged to visit your local Farmers’ Markets.  Now as the growing season advances into mid summer, a large variety of produce is appearing every week.  Tomatoes, corn, beans, peppers and zuchini are popular sale items at our market.  Soon to be supplemented by our fresh peaches and apples.  We plan to be able to see our friends, new and old, very soon at the markets where we participate.  Eat Healthy!

Summer Solstice is being celebrated today with a short respite from outdoor labors.  A much needed slow, steady rain has been falling since mid-morning and as it refreshes Mother Earth we are enjoying a day away from weed eaters and mowing equipment.  Rainy days do have a way of refreshing us as well.  The past five to six days of ninety degree temperatures have made our orchard work challenging.

Peaches are progressing and have gone through their “June drop.”  At this point we expect to have a fair size crop of mid to late season peaches.  Peaches are ripening “on schedule” with expected picking to begin about the third week of July.  We will be opening our markets with peaches followed by Gingergold apples.

We expect to harvest apples a little later than past years because bloom was late this year.  Fruit drop is just beginning to occur in the apples.  So far fireblight disease has not reared its ugly head in the apple orchard but dry, hot weather is the reason that it is still under control.  The apples have good fruit set and the crop looks very good.  Of course, we are only about mid season and still have a long way to go.  Summer storms play havoc with fruit, wind and hail are our nemesis.  An interesting read for current crop conditions in the State of Indiana is reported in Purdue University’s publication, “Facts for Fancy Fruit.”  (fff.hort.purdue.edu)

Farmers’ Markets are in full swing and again we encourage you to support your local growers.  Not only do you avail yourselves of fresh fruits and vegetables, you are helping your agricultural community.  Buying local gives you, the consumer,  transparency.  The buyer meets the grower with no middle man involved.  What grocery store can offer the consumer that advantage?

Although the trees’ bloom was later than normal, by just about two weeks later, the bloom period was good with favorable temperatures and little rainfall.  Favorable weather conditions enabled the bees to work feverishly and nonstop.  While the bees collect pollen for honey, we benefit from their efforts by achieving great fruit pollination.  Life is good for all parties concerned.

Favorable pollinating weather is temperatures in the seventy degree range, light winds and no rain.  Higher temperatures, let’s say in the eighties and above, burn the pollen.  Very windy days and rainy conditions keep the bees from flight as they stay out of the elements and remain in their hives.  Several local beekeepers transported their hives to the orchard to help keep a good percentage of honey bees out and about to assist us this year.

The trees in our pick-your-own orchard are growing quite nicely.  There will not be apples harvested from these trees this year.  Instead we are allowing them to develop one more year to gain extra vigor and strength.  These trees are a dwarf rootstock and the root systems are more shallow and need a little extra time to grow.

Summer is here and with it comes the scourge of weeds and unwanted vegetation in the orchard.  Dealing with weeds and grasses will be an ongoing task for the next three months. Although we grow by conventional means, we do not like to overuse herbicides on the orchard floor.  We get out the weedeaters.   Not really my favorite thing to do, but something that needs to be tackled with gusto and determination.  Too many weeds under and between the trees can take away much needed moisture from the fruit trees during the summer months when rainfall is sometimes minimal.

Just like semi-dwarf apple trees, dwarf trees are also produced from clonal rootstock.  Advanced developments have made the dwarf tree very desirable by commercial growers as well as back yard orchardists.  Dwarf trees work well for growers in high density plantings where many different varieties of apple trees are planted in small areas.  Not only commercial growers, but landscapers as well, have discovered the value of dwarf trees as an option in small yard plantings.

Dwarf apple trees can produce full crops in two to three years of planting, averaging about three (3) to six (6) bushels of fruit.  The life span of a dwarf apple tree can range from fifteen to twenty years.  Since dwarf trees grow to about ten (10) feet in height and about eight (8) to ten (10) feet wide, pruning and chemical maintenance are easier to perform.  Harvest very seldom needs a ladder.

Dwarf trees have limited root systems and are very susceptible to damage from high winds.  Staking dwarf trees is a benefit that assures that trunks don’t bend causing extensive damage to the roots.  Staking also prevents leaning over and breaking from heavy crop loads,  Besides susceptibility to wind damage, their shallow root systems make irrigation a necessity during drought conditions.  Dwarf trees also require annual pruning to ensure productivity and longevity.

Dwarf rootstocks for apples are classified as MM27, MM26, MM9, Geneva 16 and Bud9.  The challenge for nurseries is to continue to improve on the quality of all rootstock so growers have good choices.  Whether a commercial grower, backyard orchardist or a do-it-yourself landscaper, there are varying options available for successful plantings.

These posts were meant to be helpful and informative as to what type of apple tree to plant.  There are distinctive differences in standard, semi-dwarf or dwarf trees.  So develop an idea, make a plan, do research, consult your local nursery and do your planting and your efforts will come to fruition.

Today, the 16th of April, we are still experiencing snow flakes and cold temperatures.  We sure could use more springlike weather.  The peach trees are starting to bloom but the apples are about ten days behind normal bloom time.  It will be a later harvest season this year.  Mother Nature remains in control!

So, it’s conclusive – a “standard” size apple tree is not what will be the best choice for your planting.  Any other options – how about considering a semi-dwarf tree?

Almost all modern apple varieties in commercial use are propagated as semi-dwarf or dwarf trees.  Smaller size trees are easier to manage in an orchard setting and thus in greater demand by growers.  Since there is a definite distinction between semi-dwarf trees and dwarf trees, this post will be a discussion of semi-dwarf apple trees.

Rootstocks not produced by germinated seeds are propagated vegetatively.  These rootstocks are “clonal” rootstocks.  Clonal rootstocks produce smaller trees and sometimes are referred to as “dwarfing” or “size controlling.”  Several cloning techniques are used but basically cloning involves cutting back, and/or cutting from a tree to make the tree produce “suckers.”  These “suckers” are cut and rooted in sawdust, humus or loose soil.  After reaching a certain stage of development, scions are grafted to the rootstock and viola’, a compact alternative to a regular (standard) size tree.  This explanation oversimplifies the process for sure, but that’s the general idea.

Semi-dwarf as well as dwarf trees develop from clonal rootstock.  A semi-dwarf fruit tree is often used for backyard and commercial plantings.  Many nurseries and lawn and garden stores market semi-dwarf apple trees during the spring.  With proper pruning and management, semi-dwarf apple trees can grow to about twelve (12) to fifteen (15) feet tall and twelve (12) to fifteen (15) feet wide at maturity.  Semi-dwarf trees require annual pruning to maintain a desired height and width.  These trees will produce in four to six  years after planting and will produce larger crops than a dwarf size tree – about six  to ten  bushels per tree.

Because the rootstocks of semi-dwarf trees are genetically modified, their root systems are not deep.  Semi-dwarf trees need rich, slightly moist but well drained soil and are more prone to fall over in a very windy area.  Most semi-dwarf apple trees are not self pollinating and at least two trees will be needed to produce fruit.  Choose varieties that bloom at the same time and are classified as good pollinators.  Consult with your local nursery for advice regarding pollinators.  Semi-dwarf rootstocks from which to choose are MM111, MM106, MM7 and Geneva 30.

If  ” April showers bring May flowers,” we are beginning to wonder what these two weeks of March rains will bring other than soggy and very wet ground in the orchards.  Pruning is finished and cleanup almost complete but work on hold for awhile as the rains continue.  Trees are beginning to “green tip” but not too much Spring push yet as the temperatures have been other than Spring-like.  As it looks now, we will have a later bloom period than the past few years.

Up next — discussion of dwarf size trees.  Happy Easter!

Apple trees do not reproduce true to seed.  If you plant a seed from an apple variety that you thoroughly enjoy, such as a Gala, the tree that grows from that seed may taste really different or in fact, may have no distinct flavor at all.  The only way to get a tree identical to that of your favorite apple is to clone it by grafting.

Grafting involves cutting a piece of wood (scion) from an established tree and attaching (grafting) this piece of wood to another tree’s roots.  These roots are termed “rootstocks.”

Seedling rootstock is used to make a “standard tree.”  Standard trees are so named because these trees are what are considered the norm when discussing tree types.  A standard tree is what the general public perceives an apple tree to be, tall with a broad outreaching leafy canopy.

Seedling rootstock is developed by planting seeds from well established apple varieties such as Bittenfelder or Antonovka.  When the tree which sprouts from these seeds grows to a certain stage, scions from a desired variety, such as Gala, are grated to it to produce the variety of the chosen scion.  This is usually done at a nursery.  “Seedling” rootstock is used for the development of standard size trees because it is vigorous and strong with deep roots that are adaptable to poor soil and drought.

Standard trees grow to an average of twenty-five (25) in height, trunk size is eighteen (18) to twenty-four (24) inches in diameter with a leafy canopy of thirty (30) feet.  These trees make great shade trees and produce firewood but require more equipment and labor to maintain their vigor and growth.  While standard trees take seven (7) to ten (10) years to bear fruit, with proper care and maintenance they have a very long life span.  Although more disease resistant, a standard tree is really less economical in an orchard setting  because of the space and maintenance it requires.  Standard trees would work in a backyard setting.  However, make a thorough assessment of space available and your ability to maintain and manage its growth before choosing a standard size apple tree.  Happy planting!

We continue the annual pruning in our orchard.  Making progress but not finished yet!  Next post will be a discusssion of Semi-dwarf apple trees and their rootstock.

Our previous posts have had numerous references made to “rootstocks.”  What is rootstock and what role does rootstock play in an orchard planting?

Rootstock is basically what is underneath the ground or the roots of the tree.  It is the part of the apple tree that is below the grafted scion.  The rootstock works its way into the soil and sends nutrients to the rest of the tree encouraging growth and fruit development.  There are many varieties of rootstock available to growers, some more vigorous than others.  The type of rootstock determines the actual size of the apple tree.  Besides size, rootstocks also determine how soon a tree will produce fruit.  Apples have a greater variety of rootstocks than other fruits.  Most types of rootstocks available, but not all, were developed at research centers and universities.  Rootstocks are identified by a code of letters and numbers.

A general guideline for plantings of trees are standard, semi-dwarf and dwarf.  Standard trees have a strong, deep root system and grow very tall, about twenty-five (25) feet.  They grow seven (7) or more years before they produce fruit.  Semi-dwarf trees are more commonly used for backyards and commercial plantings.  This type of tree varies in height from fifty (50) percent to seventy-five (75) percent of the standard tree, usually fifteen (15) feet.  Dwarf trees can be used for landscaping purposes as well as fruit production.  This type of tree grows to about ten (10) feet but need special attention to promote proper growth and fruit production.

Our orchard has plantings of various types of rootstocks.  Over the years we have been satisfied with some types more than others.  It would be advantageous for us as a grower, if we could predetermine what rootstock would grow best in what area of the orchard.  However, it is a “trial and error” process as the topography in our orchard varies considerably.  This is just one of the challenges of growing fruit, nothing is the same and we learn something new every day.

Our next post will be a further explanation of the “standard” apple tree.  We continue to move forward with the winter pruning and look forward to attending the Horticultural Show in Indianapolis where we exchange ideas and learn new growing practices.