What did you do in your orchard today?

[CrealCritter]

For those of us who have or would like an orchard, big or small doesn't matter.

Today I planted Starkbros Standard Supreme XL bare root Sunrise and Moonglow pear trees. They were on sale and couldn't pass them up. They should go nice with our mature Bartlet and Asian Pear trees.

Jesus is Lord and Christ

 

[R2elk]

Picked cherries today.

 

[CrealCritter]

Only fair to post pictures of the Sunrise and Moonglow bareroots planted yesterday. They are not whips, more like sticks with 5/8 diameter plus trunks.

Jesus is Lord and Christ

 

[CrealCritter]

This would be awesome!!!!! Count me in. I have Fedco saved for next spring

I have but one favor to ask. Please remind me at the end of February beginning of March and see if we can try and coordinate a date when you will receive your root stock. I want to send you as fresh as possible scionwood for a greater grafting success rate.

Here is our full grown semi dwarf asian pear pollinator for our standard Bartlet. It produce good medium sized brown skinned pears. I pruned it pretty heavy this spring, it hadn't been pruned in a very long time. As you can see it still has some vigor and sent up numerous amounts of new growth that could be cut for scionwood. It should really take off now and fruit out nicely next year and the following years.

Here's our standard bartlet pear. The tree is huge and has to be about 35 to 40 foot tall so most definitely it's on a standard rootstock. I picked it standing on a 16 foot ladder with a fruit basket extended all the way and still could get to the top of the tree. I also pruned it pretty heavy this spring. Same as the asian, it wasn't pruned for a long time. It also responded positively and is sending up a lot of new growth that can be for scionwood.

The original orchard trees were planted in the mid 70's and all came from Stark Brothers. That's how I found out about the Stark Bro nursery next door in Mo. They must be doing something right... They've been in business since 1816

Jesus is Lord and Christ

 

[CrealCritter]

I checked and watered my air layers this morning. I'm very happy my M111 rootstock air layers are rooting. I would like cut these loose from the host tree and get them potted in 1 gallon pots by mid July. So I can graft them sometime in August.

This time I used CLONEX instead of powdered rooting hormone. I also wrapped the rooting balls with aluminum foil, I'm happy with changes. Aluminum foil makes it easier to pour water in the top of the rooting ball.

Jesus is Lord and Christ

 

[CrealCritter]

I believe my potted air-laye M111 root stocks are going to make it. I've watered them once a day since Monday. Will probably continue watering daily until Monday. Then back off to every other day.

The one on the right is a large diameter air layer from this spring. The M111 root stock produces tiny tart green apples. So based on the new growth showing near the base of this root stock. I may just try and chip bud graft in a fruit salad. Granny Smith, Red Delicious and Golden Delicious plus the M111 Crab. They all would pollinate each other. Being semi-dwarf, It would be an ideal tree for someone who has a smaller space but still would want apples. if the grafts are successful, I'll probably give the fruit salad to my daughter in law with pruning and care instructions. I think she would like that

Jesus is Lord and Christ

 

[CrealCritter]

Picked up good Bartlett pears that got blown off the tree by thunderstorms last night. I left the not good so good ones for bees and wildlife. Pears are nice you can pick them a little early to ripen off the tree. I'll probably pick the rest of them off the tree in a week or so.

Jesus is Lord and Christ

 

[Hinotori]

I thought about digging holes for the two plums I have in pots from last year. Didn't have the energy to do so.

I only have a few semi-dwarf trees. Plums do the best for us.

 

[Trying2keepitReal]

Right now I have 2 apple (unsure of kind, were at the house when we bought), an edible crab apple and tart cherry. Would love to add plums, pear, more apple and cherry

 

[CrealCritter]

Right now I have 2 apple (unsure of kind, were at the house when we bought), an edible crab apple and tart cherry. Would love to add plums, pear, more apple and cherry

If you want to try bench grafting in March, I could send you some bartlet and asian pear scionwood. I could also throw in both red and golden delicious apple scionwood if you want a stick or two.

You would need to obtain some rootstock though. M111 semi dwarf (M One Eleven is how you heard the experienced grafters say it) seems to be very popular and recommend by many. Fedco seems reasonable and sells rootstock in bundles of 10 or more. Plus they sell scionwood for many fruit tree varieties.

Sorry can't help with cherry scionwood this year maybe in a few years I can.

Jesus is Lord and Christ