Adding Up the Losses
It was a week ago now. Temperatures dropped to the mid-20’s or lower, and the effect in some orchards was not pretty. Site played a major role in how well apple flowers and developing fruits survived. In the southern part of the state, most orchards fared OK. There was some minor damage, primarily in low spots where cold air settles, but there is still a good crop. In more northern locations, the situation is much less rosy with some orchard blocks nearly empty of fruit now.
- An apple, already a few days past petal fall, showing the effects of a hard frost last week. Photo: W. Lord
What is next? Severely damaged fruits will drop soon. Less severely damaged fruits may hang on and grow, but will likely bear russet scars come fall as a reminder of that cold, May morning.
For now it appears that the future will be frost free, but given the spring so far, who knows!
Bill Lord, May 17, MMX
Posted: May 17th, 2010 under Fruit Growers Journal.
Comments
Comment from Bill
Time May 17, 2010 at 8:12 pm
Wait a bit before thinning. I like to thin when fruits are between a half and an inch in length.
Comment from Tom Kaye
Time June 1, 2010 at 2:57 pm
Our 2nd year Reliance Peach had a lot of fruit which we had to thin out. The Veteran Peach had far less. Was weather a factor or just the luck of the draw between the two varieties?
Comment from Tom Kaye
Time May 17, 2010 at 3:26 pm
We survived the “frosts” of last week (low 30s). My trees are on their 2nd season and small fruits are forming, mostly on peaches, nectarines & plums. At what point should I thin them out? I know it’s not good to allow young fruit trees to produce too much fruit but would like a little . . . just for a taste!