What did you do in your orchard today?

[FarmerJamie]

The last cycle of heat/snow may have killed off the fig tree. Holding out hope as early blooming shrubs and trees are just now starting to bud out/bloom. I will keep watching

 

[CrealCritter]

I’m still very much learning how to prune this Crisp Pink apple tree - it’s grown taller than I anticipated, and I’m not sure I shaped it quite right. Since it fruits on both last year’s tips and short spurs, I tried to be careful not to over-prune the tip-bearing wood… though I’m not certain I got the balance quite right. Keeping a full-size tree open and well-structured is harder than I imagined, and I’m grateful it’s flowering and setting fruit this year - I hope I haven’t unintentionally held it back. I’ve heard the modern version, Pink Lady, is sold in stores, and I’d be thrilled to taste a Crisp Pink from my own tree. I’m going to do my best to care for it, with hope that I’ll get to enjoy some of its first apples.

Baby crisp pink apples on tip

Jesus is Lord and Christ

 

[CrealCritter]

The last cycle of heat/snow may have killed off the fig tree. Holding out hope as early blooming shrubs and trees are just now starting to bud out/bloom. I will keep watching

I haven't brought out our potted figs or bay laurel yet, but hopefully pretty soon. I’m still learning how to grow them - might be a little too cautious, honestly. IDK…

Some cold-hardy fig varieties are known to grow back from cold injury through from their roots. Since they produce figs on this year’s wood, you might still get some figs after all!

Jesus is Lord and Christ

 

[flowerbug]

...Keeping a full-size tree open and well-structured is harder than I imagined, and I’m grateful it’s flowering and setting fruit this year - I hope I haven’t unintentionally held it back. I’ve heard the modern version, Pink Lady, is sold in stores, and I’d be thrilled to taste a Crisp Pink from my own tree. I’m going to do my best to care for it, with hope that I’ll get to enjoy some of its first apples.

the quality of Pink Lady is so variable when purchased from the stores that we don't buy them any longer. when they are good they are great, when they aren't good they're blah. i don't like spending money on blah. i hope Crisp Pink turns out well for you.

 

[CrealCritter]

This seedling peach tree never fails to amaze me. This year, one branch produced some double blossoms - and some were pollinated by what seemed to be my honey bee friends. I’ve never seen anything quite like it… still scratching my head over how it happened.

Jesus is Lord and Christ

 

[CrealCritter]

I thought about our potted figs this evening. I hadn't done anything to them since I put them in the barn before the first frost last fall. I opened the door to the brood room, not expecting to see them growing - so I gave them some water and I'll make plans to trim them and harden them off outside on pallets until they can be put in full sun.

I'll probably pull them out Monday since they’re forecasting uppwr 30s lower 40s overnight this weekend. I’ll know better when I drag them out and can get a good look at them. But it appears they are pretty resilient for being overwintered in an unheated brood room.

Jesus is Lord and Christ

 

[murphysranch]

Like you said, I looked up the instructions on my winter spray. Its too late for me. I'll fight the peach leaf curl another way, I suppose.

The trees look so nice, since I had them professionally trimmed. What a good one that was!!

 

[CrealCritter]

I’ve found that managing peach leaf curl may be more effective when following a spray schedule that includes applications after leaf fall, during dormancy, and at delayed dormancy. I typically add a sticker-spreader as directed on the label to help the spray adhere better, especially during wet or humid conditions — it seems to make a noticeable difference during these key timing windows.

Peach leaf curl

Peach leaf curl is a common fungal disease caused by Taphrina deformans that primarily affects peaches and nectarines, though it can also impact almonds and apricots. The disease is characterized by distorted, thickened, and curled leaves that turn reddish, purple, or yellowish in spring, often...

search.brave.com

Jesus is Lord and Christ

 

[CrealCritter]

Cherries got their first cover spray early this evening — peaches and apricots got their second.

I know it sounds crazy, but we haven’t received any rain for weeks. Had to water two established apple trees - they were starting to show signs of stress.

I’m learning that no rain = low fungal pressure, but high insect pressure. Sprayed for both with sticker/spreader, because it’s bound to rain sometime… I mean, I hope so.

I believe I’ll have to net a few cherry trees - once they show the slightest hint of red, it’s game on for wild birds. And we’ve got plenty of them here. Not complaining - I actually like wild birds. Seems like they help control insects, too.

Cherry finishing up petal fall.

Peach hopefully you can see the peach fruitlets hanging. I l8ght have to brace the lower branches to keep them off the ground under peach load.

Bird netting i'm considering... but should would appricate any advise about birds netting. Thanks

Jesus is Lord and Christ

 

[Mini Horses]

Would the shiny strips tied among the limbs work? Of course, some constant breeze helps them to be effective...