Apples and pears 13
be supported by "maypoling". This involves be supported by "maypoling". This involves driving a tall stake into the ground near the driving a tall stake into the ground near the stem of the tree and tying rope or thick stem of the tree and tying rope or thick string from its top to each branch that will string from its top to each branch that will benefit from support.
benefit from support.
Protection from wasps and birds Protection from wasps and birds
Apples and pears (especially the early vari Apples and pears (especially the early vari eties) sometimes need protection against eties) sometimes need protection against wasps and birds. The trees can be netted or wasps and birds. The trees can be netted or collars placed around the fruit stalks against collars placed around the fruit stalks against birds (see page 17) but wasps are more diffi birds (see page 17) but wasps are more diffi cult to combat. One remedy is to find and cult to combat. One remedy is to find and destroy the wasps' nests. They can also be destroy the wasps' nests. They can also be trapped in jam jars partly filled with beer and trapped in jam jars partly filled with beer and sugar. However, these two methods guaran sugar. However, these two methods guaran tee only partial control, and the most posi tee only partial control, and the most posi tive (if tedious) protection against wasps is to tive (if tedious) protection against wasps is to enclose each fruit, or cluster of fruits, in a enclose each fruit, or cluster of fruits, in a muslin bag or piece of nylon stocking. muslin bag or piece of nylon stocking. Harvesting and storing
Harvesting and storing
The time for picking apples and pears varies The time for picking apples and pears varies according to the season and the locality so it according to the season and the locality so it is not possible to give exact picking dates. As is not possible to give exact picking dates. As
a guide, the earliest varieties of apples are a guide, the earliest varieties of apples are ready for picking in late July to early August. ready for picking in late July to early August. Apples
Apples A good test for ripeness is to lift theA good test for ripeness is to lift the fruit in the palm of the hand and if it leaves fruit in the palm of the hand and if it leaves the spur easily with its stalk intact, it is ready. the spur easily with its stalk intact, it is ready. Another sign is the first windfalls (discounting Another sign is the first windfalls (discounting drops from strong winds and codling moth drops from strong winds and codling moth attack). With the later ripening varieties, the attack). With the later ripening varieties, the color of the pips is an indication. They should color of the pips is an indication. They should be beginning to change color from white be beginning to change color from white to straw-coloured and eventually to brown. to straw-coloured and eventually to brown. With dessert apples in particular the skin of With dessert apples in particular the skin of the fruits becomes more brightly colored. the fruits becomes more brightly colored.
Ear
Early varieties are best picked whely varieties are best picked whe n slightlyn slightly immature because they soon go mealy. Pick immature because they soon go mealy. Pick those apples that have colored rather than those apples that have colored rather than clearing all the apples in one go. Usually clearing all the apples in one go. Usually those apples in full sun are ready first and those apples in full sun are ready first and those in the middle of the tree last. Handle those in the middle of the tree last. Handle the fruits very gently because bruised fruits the fruits very gently because bruised fruits do not keep. Put the fruits carefully into a do not keep. Put the fruits carefully into a picking container lined with soft material picking container lined with soft material and transfer them just as gently into their and transfer them just as gently into their final container.
final container.
Late apples reach maturity in storage Late apples reach maturity in storage
sometime after pic king, depending upon the sometime after pic king, depending upon the variety. Most should be off the tree by about variety. Most should be off the tree by about the third week of October, but there are a the third week of October, but there are a few varieties which keep better and acquire few varieties which keep better and acquire more flavor if left on as long as possible, birds more flavor if left on as long as possible, birds and winter gales permitting. These include and winter gales permitting. These include
'Granny Smith'.
'Granny Smith'.
Store only sound fruits (see page 90 for Store only sound fruits (see page 90 for details of storage).
details of storage). Pears
Pears The correct time for picking pears isThe correct time for picking pears is harder to assess than it is for apples. The best harder to assess than it is for apples. The best test of readiness is to lift the pear in the palm test of readiness is to lift the pear in the palm of the hand and with a slight twist and tug, it of the hand and with a slight twist and tug, it should leave the spur with its stalk intact. should leave the spur with its stalk intact. There is also an almost imperceptible change There is also an almost imperceptible change in the ground color of the skin from dark in the ground color of the skin from dark green to lighter green.
green to lighter green.
Early and early mid-season pears (August Early and early mid-season pears (August to September) must not be left on the tree to September) must not be left on the tree until they are fully ripe otherwise they may until they are fully ripe otherwise they may go "sleepy", that is very soft, mealy and go "sleepy", that is very soft, mealy and brown at the center. Pick them when they brown at the center. Pick them when they are almost ready but still firm, and then let are almost ready but still firm, and then let them mellow in storage. Their storage life can them mellow in storage. Their storage life can be extended considerably by keeping them be extended considerably by keeping them
under cool conditions (3°-7
under cool conditions (3°-700C/37°-45°F).C/37°-45°F). Late pears should be left on the tree until Late pears should be left on the tree until they leave the spur easily; the first sign of they leave the spur easily; the first sign of windfalls is an indication. The fruits are hard windfalls is an indication. The fruits are hard at this stage but will mellow in storage. Keep at this stage but will mellow in storage. Keep them under cold conditions and bring the them under cold conditions and bring the pears into room temperature to finish ripen pears into room temperature to finish ripen ing whenever required. (See page 82 for ing whenever required. (See page 82 for details of storage).
details of storage). Pests and diseases Pests and diseases Apples
Apples The most troublesome diseases areThe most troublesome diseases are scab, mildew and canker and the most scab, mildew and canker and the most troublesome pests are aphids, leaf-eating troublesome pests are aphids, leaf-eating caterpillars, sawfly and codling moth larvae. caterpillars, sawfly and codling moth larvae. Scab and mildew can be controlled by Scab and mildew can be controlled by regular spraying with benomyl or captan regular spraying with benomyl or captan starting at bud burst and finishing in July. If starting at bud burst and finishing in July. If canker occurs, cut out the rotting wood and canker occurs, cut out the rotting wood and paint the clean wounds with a canker paint. paint the clean wounds with a canker paint. In bad attacks also apply liquid copper sprays In bad attacks also apply liquid copper sprays after harvest and at 50 per cent leaf-fall, and after harvest and at 50 per cent leaf-fall, and the following year at bud burst. Check that the following year at bud burst. Check that the soil is not badly drained (see pages 10-11). the soil is not badly drained (see pages 10-11).
Use a systemic aphicide against aphids. Use a systemic aphicide against aphids. Thinning
Thinning MaypolingMaypoling Grassing down the orchardGrassing down the orchard
4 In mid-June,
4 In mid-June, thin the fruits using sharpthin the fruits using sharp scissors or press the fruitlets off with the scissors or press the fruitlets off with the thumb and finger, leaving the stalk behind thumb and finger, leaving the stalk behind
In mid-July,
In mid-July, thin again to leave one or twothin again to leave one or two dessert apples per cluster 4-6 in apart, dessert apples per cluster 4-6 in apart, cooking apples 6-9 in apart. Pears need less cooking apples 6-9 in apart. Pears need less
5
5 On small On small trees,trees, to support branches withto support branches with a heavy crop, drive a tall stake into the a heavy crop, drive a tall stake into the ground near the stem of the tree. Tie a ground near the stem of the tree. Tie a
6
6 After After four or four or five years,five years, sow grass in thesow grass in the orcha
orcha rd. Sow a fine lawn mixtrd. Sow a fine lawn mixt ure at 2 ure at 2 ozoz per square yard, leaving a grass-free area per square yard, leaving a grass-free area
Apple
Apples s and and peapears 14rs 14
Spraying with dimethoate one week after Spraying with dimethoate one week after petal fall controls sawfly larvae. Use a general- petal fall controls sawfly larvae. Use a general- purpose fruit spray against codling moth purpose fruit spray against codling moth caterpillars in mid-June and again at the end caterpillars in mid-June and again at the end of June.
of June. Pears
Pears The most troublesome disease of pearsThe most troublesome disease of pears is scab and the most troublesome pests are is scab and the most troublesome pests are aphids and leaf-eating caterpillars.
aphids and leaf-eating caterpillars.
For scab spray with captan or benomyl at For scab spray with captan or benomyl at bud burst, repeating every two weeks as bud burst, repeating every two weeks as necessary until late July.
necessary until late July.
The whole business of pest control can be The whole business of pest control can be greatly simplified if a general-purpose fruit greatly simplified if a general-purpose fruit spray containing an insecticide and fungicide spray containing an insecticide and fungicide is used on a systematic schedule throughout is used on a systematic schedule throughout the growing season.
the growing season.
In winter, during dormancy, spray with a In winter, during dormancy, spray with a dormant oil. Then use the general-purpose dormant oil. Then use the general-purpose spray (1) just before blossoms open, (2) when spray (1) just before blossoms open, (2) when three-fourths of the flower petals have fallen, three-fourths of the flower petals have fallen, (3) two weeks after petal fall, and (4) every (3) two weeks after petal fall, and (4) every 10-14 days thereafter until about three weeks 10-14 days thereafter until about three weeks before harvest.
before harvest.
Adding a "sticker" (a gluey liquid) to the Adding a "sticker" (a gluey liquid) to the spray keeps it from being rapidly diluted by spray keeps it from being rapidly diluted by the rain. If the "sticker" is not used, it may be the rain. If the "sticker" is not used, it may be necessary to increase the frequency of spray necessary to increase the frequency of spray in wet or very humid weather to every seven in wet or very humid weather to every seven days.
days. Propagation Propagation
Apples and pears do not com
Apples and pears do not com e true from seede true from seed nor are they satisfactory from cuttings, so nor are they satisfactory from cuttings, so they are propagated by budding or grafting they are propagated by budding or grafting on to suitable rootstocks, a task normally on to suitable rootstocks, a task normally performed by the fruit tree nursery. performed by the fruit tree nursery. Biennial bearing
Biennial bearing
Biennial bearing or the carrying of a heavy Biennial bearing or the carrying of a heavy crop one year and little or none in the next, is crop one year and little or none in the next, is a common problem with apples and pears. a common problem with apples and pears. Certain varieties are prone to it, although Certain varieties are prone to it, although almost any variety can fall into this habit. It almost any variety can fall into this habit. It is more likely to happen to trees which are is more likely to happen to trees which are starved or receiving insufficient moisture, starved or receiving insufficient moisture, which makes them unable to carry a heavy which makes them unable to carry a heavy crop and at the same time develop fruit buds crop and at the same time develop fruit buds for the following year. Frost destroying the for the following year. Frost destroying the blossom one spring can sometimes be the blossom one spring can sometimes be the start of biennial bearing. Once the tree is into start of biennial bearing. Once the tree is into this cropping pattern it is difficult to correct, this cropping pattern it is difficult to correct,
BIENNIAL BEARING BIENNIAL BEARING
1 In spring,
1 In spring, before a heavy crop year,before a heavy crop year, rub one-half to three-quarters of the rub one-half to three-quarters of the fruit buds from the spurs, leaving one or fruit buds from the spurs, leaving one or two per spur.
two per spur.
2 Each March,
2 Each March, apply 4 oz per squareapply 4 oz per square yard of a balanced fertilizer, such as yard of a balanced fertilizer, such as 10-10-10, and sulfate of ammonia at 10-10-10, and sulfate of ammonia at 2 oz per square yard. Mulch small 2 oz per square yard. Mulch small trees with a 2 in layer of well-rotted trees with a 2 in layer of well-rotted manure over a radius of 2 ft. manure over a radius of 2 ft.
3
3 In late August,In late August, apply a further 2 ozapply a further 2 oz per square yard of sulfate of ammonia. per square yard of sulfate of ammonia. In dry weather water copiously, giving In dry weather water copiously, giving at least 1 in of water (41/2 gal per square at least 1 in of water (41/2 gal per square yard) over the rooting area every ten yard) over the rooting area every ten days until rain restores the balance. days until rain restores the balance.
gardener can try which sometimes improve gardener can try which sometimes improve the situation.
the situation.
In early spring before an expected heavy In early spring before an expected heavy crop year, half to three-quarters of the fruit crop year, half to three-quarters of the fruit buds are rubbed off the spurs, leaving about buds are rubbed off the spurs, leaving about one or two per spur. This lessens the burden one or two per spur. This lessens the burden of too heavy a crop in that year and may of too heavy a crop in that year and may enable the tree to develop fruit buds for the enable the tree to develop fruit buds for the next year.
next year.
In conjunction with bud rubbing, a policy In conjunction with bud rubbing, a policy of more generous feeding and watering of more generous feeding and watering should be adopted in "on" and "off" years. should be adopted in "on" and "off" years. But remember the danger of over-feeding But remember the danger of over-feeding pears.
pears.
First, clear away grass or weeds from the First, clear away grass or weeds from the base of the tree over a radius of at least 2 ft. base of the tree over a radius of at least 2 ft.
Eac
Each Marh Mar ch appch app ly a balanced fertilizer suchly a balanced fertilizer such as 10-10-10 at 4
as 10-10-10 at 4 oz per square yaoz per square ya rd and rd and sulsul fate of
fate of ammamm onia onia at 2 at 2 oz per square yard.oz per square yard.
rotted manure or compost to a depth of 2 in rotted manure or compost to a depth of 2 in over a radius of 2 ft but keep the material clear over a radius of 2 ft but keep the material clear of the stem.
of the stem. In late
In late August August apply a furthapply a furth er 2 er 2 oz peroz per square yard of sulfate of ammonia. Through square yard of sulfate of ammonia. Through out the growing season, whenever the con out the growing season, whenever the con ditions are dry, the tree should be irrigated ditions are dry, the tree should be irrigated copiously
copiously by applyiby applyi ng at least 1 ng at least 1 in of waterin of water (41/2
(41/2 gal per gal per square yard) over square yard) over the rootthe root ing areaing area every ten days until rain restores the balance. every ten days until rain restores the balance.
If bud rubbin
If bud rubbin g does not work, an alternativeg does not work, an alternative technique is to induce the tree to crop technique is to induce the tree to crop biennially over half the tree by removing half biennially over half the tree by removing half the blossom. Alternate branches are selected the blossom. Alternate branches are selected and marked in some way. Half the branches and marked in some way. Half the branches are designated to crop in the even years are designated to crop in the even years (1980,1982, and so on) and half the branches (1980,1982, and so on) and half the branches are designated to crop in the odd years are designated to crop in the odd years (1981, 1983, and so on). Each spring, those (1981, 1983, and so on). Each spring, those
ticular year must be rigorously deblossomed. ticular year must be rigorously deblossomed. At first this deblossoming represents quite a At first this deblossoming represents quite a task, especially with a large tree, but after the