A Little Science...

Hi! This is Peggy, aka Orchard Lady, Apple Lady, Peach Lady, etc.

As part of the growing season each year, it is important to do frequent walk-throughs in the orchard. In the course of a walk through, the trees can be monitored for many variables such as insects, diseases, weeds, vermin damage and of course, what fruit is growing. These walk-throughs help to determine what needs to be done for optimum production and tree health.

Spring temperatures during blossom time are especially critical. This is when the buds, blossoms and baby fruits are especially tender and vulnerable to very cold temperatures. In a study done by Michigan State University Extension, Van Buren (www.canr.msu.edu/vanburen/crittemp.htm), a comprehensive list, with pictures can be found.

Without getting too technical, most tree fruit buds and blossoms can tolerate 30 degrees for about half an hour before damage sets in. At 28 degrees for over half an hour, a 10% kill can be expected and around 25 degrees, a 90% or greater kill. Also, in our observation, pears and apples are more tolerant than the stone fruits, such as peaches.

While our blossoms were beautiful and abundant this spring, over the course of blossoming we experienced at least 5 nights of critical temperatures and it appears that our stone fruit is above a 90% kill. Apple's and pears blossomed later and have escaped most of the devastion.

On the downside, no stone fruit crop, but on the upside, the trees get a chance to rest from cropping and put all of their energy into becoming healthier and stronger with proper care all season.