What did you do in your orchard today?

[CrealCritter]

Thunderstorms are forecast for tomorrow, so I added a sticker spreader to the first peach cover spray - mostly to help with rain fastness. I’m still learning whether it makes a real difference, but so far, the coverage seems to be holding better than without it.

The bees have done their part — early apple blooms set a good number of clusters, and now the petals are falling to reveal tiny fruit. I’m so grateful for them… I think I’ve mentioned before how much I admire their restless work? (Forgive me if I’m repeating myself. I find them to be fascinating.) I’m hoping to get the first apple cover spray on early next week.

I haven’t checked the pears yet — I’ve been focused elsewhere. It’s been dry this spring, so fire blight isn’t on my radar right now. Last year’s floods took out the more vulnerable pear varieties — the ones still growing may simply be better adapted to our conditions. I’m paying attention, learning what survives, and adjusting as I go.

Jesus is Lord and Christ

 

[Mini Horses]

There's more work, watching/learning and love going into an orchard than just "seeing a tree grow". I admire & appreciate the dedication & care it takes. this is your calling.

 

[CrealCritter]

There's more work, watching/learning and love going into an orchard than just "seeing a tree grow". I admire & appreciate the dedication & care it takes. this is your calling.

Don’t know about all that… but I’ve managed to plant 22 apple trees so far - 14 grafted last year still to go, bringing the total to 36. They’re doing well on semi-dwarf rootstock, and I’ve grafted many myself. You can see the first row of 14 on the left. The next 14 are waiting for tank and I to get them in the ground. I think some of the rows may be established enough next year to try organic herbicide - just a grass strip between rows should make mowing and caring for the trees much easier.

P.S. Truth be known… I do most of the planting. While tank protects me from the wild, ravenous fowl around here .

Jesus is Lord and Christ

 

[CrealCritter]

Some Rich May peach fruitlets - thankfully, they look clean - and a bit of shot hole on a few leaves. I’m sharing this in case it’s helpful, and I hope the photo gives a clearer picture. Looking back, I think I may have waited just a little too long on the first cover spray — I’m still learning the right timing, and I’ll be more mindful next year. The leaves matter for the tree’s health, even if we don’t eat them… and I’ll try to care for them better.

Jesus is Lord and Christ

 

[Mini Horses]

Showed up fine!! Nice crop start.

 

[murphysranch]

Most of my fruit trees are just starting to bud. Wonder if I'm too late for any copper fungicide spray?

 

[flowerbug]

i'm not sure if "shot hole" is a technical term or can it apply to any of insect, fungal or hail damage?

 

[CrealCritter]

i'm not sure if "shot hole" is a technical term or can it apply to any of insect, fungal or hail damage?

Thanks for the question, it's a good one Although I dont like the term "disease" it's what the scientific community calls it. In order to understand, properly identify (diagnose) and treat a condition, I had to learn how to understand "scientificese" which is a whole new language to me when it comes to fruit trees in general.

But to answer your question: with the help of AI generated content.

“Shot hole” is a technical term in plant pathology, most commonly used to describe fungal or bacterial diseases — especially in stone fruit trees like peach, cherry, and almond — where spots on leaves dry up and fall out, leaving small holes. It’s not typically used for insect or hail damage, though those can look similar at a glance. The bacterial form (caused by Xanthomonas arboricola) and fungal form (caused by Wilsonomyces carpophilus) are the main culprits. So while “shot hole” can describe the appearance of damage from other causes, it’s a diagnostic term for specific diseases in agriculture.

Hopefully you can see a little shot hole in the picture. Hopefully it looks like my first cover spray caught it at the beginning of its cycle and I'll be able to control its progression with subsequent cover sprays.

Jesus is Lord and Christ

 

[CrealCritter]

I had hoped for a little better resistance to cedar apple rust (CAR) for Pristine. But it looks like I may have been asking a little to much for here, not surpised though... Car pressue is high here with all the eastern red cedar trees around. It's OK though... I know how to treat for CAR.

There is a bit of an advantage for grafted apples and not spraying the first and second years to see what pops up the second year and develop a targeted spray program the year 3. This is PRI apple row. Hopefully from the picture you can see CAR hit the newer leaves within the last week. It's all clues to help diagnose and preventivly treat next year.

Jesus is Lord and Christ