Little bit on pome fruit, mainly apples
Did you know apples are considered the kings fruit? I'll explain...
Apples grow on spurs that develop on a branch or trunk or both (both being specific to a "spur" varieties such as starkspur®). Spurs start to develop on two year old wood. One can increase the development rate of spurs on branches by bending the branch downward. The more the branch is bent downward the slower the branch will grow but the development of the branch spur maturity will increase. They sell all kinds of gadgets to aid in branch bending and limb spreading to help with this task.
For apples you want long branches that are two or more years in age. Mature spurs can be productive for many many seasons.
The cluster of flowers on the spur can and often does produce multiple apples if successfully pollinated. The king fruit is the apple in the center of the cluster. It grows the largest and is the first to ripen. Thinning all apples beside the king fruits will produce less apples ofcourse but much larger and higher quality king apples. It's said that these first ripening highest quality apples were first harvested and given to the king as a token of appreciation. Hence the term "kings fruit" was developed. The tradition is still is carried out today to some degree or another. Example is giving an apple to a teacher as a token of appreciation.
It used to be common practice in productive years to bag excess apples and hang bags on a fence for passerbys to take home to eat. This tradition has all but stopped due to greed, theft and fear. However there are still a few small tight knit communities that continue to practice this tradition. The term "share the wealth" was formed as a result of this tradition.
There are so many traditions regarding apples that it would be next to impossible to list them all. Apple pie anyone?
An apple is ripe when it naturally falls from the tree to the ground. This is the best means to harvest (naturally). Shaking the tree and branches can also aid in falls. But ensure the apples are ripe before shaking the tree.
Can you guess what apples we purchase in the stores, doubt they are kings fruit.
Here's method for making and preserving apple butter that pre dates canning. I thought you would enjoy
Jesus is Lord and Christ


