Issues in Orchard Establishment. Site Selection Orchard Design Site Preparation Scion/Rootstock Selection Orchard Economics

Transcription

1 Issues in Orchard Establishment Site Selection Orchard Design Site Preparation Scion/Rootstock Selection Orchard Economics

2 Orchard Site Selection Average temperature* Avoid extreme highs and lows Avoid winter fluctuation *Most important factor during cultivar selection Spring frost dates Techniques to avert damage Overhead irrigation Trunk wrapping/painting Other Factors Precipitation & Timing Relative Humidity Light (photoperiod) Well drained soil 4-5 of rooting depth

3 Orchard Site Selection continued Close proximity to water may alleviate wide temperature fluctuation Elevation, slope, aspect also play a major part Soil Fertility (CEC), texture, structure need to be addressed Water Table Height TREES HATE WET FEET! Stage of development 10% kill ( F) 90% kill ( F) Apples a Silver tip 15 2 Green tip /2-inch green Tight cluster First pink Full pink First bloom Full bloom Post bloom 28 25

4 Frost damage

5 Problems with wet feet

6 Orchard Design

7 V-system on trellising Central Leader Slender Spindle

8 Rootstocks Older rootstock Mark (Mk. Or MAC-9) 70% the size of M9 Per acre yield decreases as individual tree size increases Smaller varieties may require addition management strategies

9 Pollenization Overview Apple: Cross-pollination is always needed to produce an adequate fruit crop. Have a bloom period that overlaps that of the variety to be pollinated. Have a diploid chromosome make-up. Produce viable pollen. Be grown in close proximity to the variety to be pollinated.

10 Pollenization continued

11 Orchard Soil Nutrient Management ph should be maintained around Nitrogen is usually the limiting factor in orchard production (not in most VT orchards) Multiple elemental deficiencies are common Fertilization will NOT cure problems caused by biotic factors or stress Assess your problem prior to implementing a solution!

12 Soil Conditions Problems: < 5.3 Bark measles due to excess Mn Ca and Mg deficiencies become more acute N and K become less available Al can build up to become toxic

13 Soil Conditions Problems: >6.5 B, Cu, Mn, Zn, and Fe uptake seriously reduced

14 Nitrogen usage during season

15 Fertility 8Calcium deficiency

16 Fertility 8Zn deficiency

17 Fertility 8Mg deficiencies

18 8Boron deficiency Fertility 8Boron toxicity

19 Orchard Economics Orchard Proximity to markets and processors Shipping Costs v.s. Direct Marketing 80% of consumer dollar goes to marketing, 20% to grower Storage On-Site Storage Off-Site i.e. Cooperative Startup Costs Time until you reach break even production status

20 Orchard economics cont Equipment requirements Pre-existing v.s. purchased Leased equipment may be the way to go if you envision expanding past system requirements within 5~10 years Purchasing used equipment eliminates depreciation Other considerations Dealer proximity Service & support Parts availability & cost

21 Fixed Production Costs Trees, equipment, etc. Variable Costs LABOR!!!, pest control Further issues VT Orchard acreage ~ 4259 CA Orchard acreage ~ 31,000 WA Orchard acreage ~ 172,000 Size recommendations 100~200 for shipping Smaller for PYO Price return estimates PYO ~$6,000 ($1/qt) Roadside market ~ $9,600 ($1.6/qt) Local wholesale ~ $7,200 ($1.2/qt) Further economics

22 Proper planting When to plant? Spring Fall If trees are bare- root Late April or May If trees are in containers

23 Proper planting Never let the roots dry out Soak roots of bare-root trees 1-3 hrs before planting Hole should twice as large as the root system If putting any soil amendment, mix with soil that will be used to refill the hole Do not use any fertilizer at planting time Manure not recommended due to possible contamination

24 Prune roots Proper planting Graft union should be 2-3 above the soil line Pack the soil gently,but firmly Stake dwarf trees Place mouse guard at base of tree Head back to about 36 tall

25 Heading cut at planting