Home and Community Fruit Growing

Transcription

1 Home and Community Fruit Growing Michael Lachance Virginia Cooperative Extension Nelson County Unit (434)

2 Brown marmorated stink bug (Halyomorpha halys Stahl)

3 BMSB impact on Fruit Increased sprays % in NJ Synthetic pyrethroids not good for IPM programs 10 or fewer in lug impacts taste of wine

4 BMSB Records

5 Life Cycle for BMSB Adults emerge in spring Lay eggs, nymphs develop Adults again in July, eggs nymphs 2nd generation adults in September seek overwintering sites

6 BMSB Can it be controlled? Yes Synthetic pyrethroids, see Virginia Pest Management Guide Synthetic pyrethroids, must be labeled for use on outside of dwelling Inside: vacuum

7 SWD Spottedwing Drosophila ID

8 Spotted wing Drosophila Drosophila suzukii Attacks intact fruit Now present in Virginia

9 SWD Spottedwing Drosophila ID

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12 The other new fruit fly Zaprionus indianus Seems to prefer damaged fruit Crozet, VA Grapes August 31, 2012

13 The other new fruit fly

14 Reasons to Promote Fruit 1. Local produced food and beverages 2. Family s quality of life / outdoor recreation 3. Preserve regional varieties 4. Social interaction 5. Value as landscape elements

15 Community Orchards Community Orchards started in 1992, in England- Common Ground Now 100 s of sites in UK In United States, start ups where you would expect, also in rural areas, e.g. reservations in South Dakota Start with gleaning, e.g. St. Andrews Society

16 Community Orchards are not Community Gardens Multi-year commitment Needs far-sighted management Legal considerations, e.g. contracts and leases to secure land MOU s with local government Risk management and liability concerns Common access by membership Employment of grower(s)

17 Community Orchards Common fruits Popular varieties Heirloom varieties Improved varieties Varieties for education, food security, social justice

18 Community Orchards Less common fruits (anticipate mature size!) Mulberries Pawpaws Elderberries Currants & gooseberries Pomergranites Kiwis Asian persimmons Others

19 10 Steps to creating a community orchard 1. Develop a plan 2. Locate a suitable site 3. Secure land with purchase, contract, or lease 4. Collect capital and tool ussing an orchard budget as a guide 5. Recruit people to meet orchard needs

20 10 Steps to creating a community orchard 6. Design orchard for mixed use 7. Prepare the land, establish layout and planting schedule 8. Involve youth & under-served audiences 9. Orchard management A. Seasonal activities B. Plant Protection C. Publicity, distribution and marketing 10.Evaluation and refinement

21 Challenges of growing fruit 1. Proper site selection 2. Correct training of young plants 3. Avoiding neglect and stress in the planting 4. Accepting the need for plant protection 5. Sustaining your interest in fruit growing

22 Seven important elements of 1. Sunny, weed free location Need light for more than ½ day 2. Well drained soil Learn how to generate a soil survey 3. Proper soil ph 4. Land rotation Nematodes Phytopthora Verticilllium wilt Replant disease growing fruit

23 Seven important elements of growing fruit 5. Plant stock at proper depth 6. Irrigation ~ 1 per week, applied in 1 to 3 applications 7. Soil preparation

24 Site Selection 1. Adequate soil depth? May need raised beds &/or irrigation 2. Cold tolerance, winter hardiness and chilling hours 3. Absolute and Relative elevation 4. Slope aspect A. N&E are best B. S&W are worst 5. Layout: when possible run trellis north/south 6. Do not plant adjacent to north or west side of a home, south side of a house may be too harsh 7. Know how to advise people about septic field care.

25 Site Selection Research low temperature history

26 Site Selection Research low temperature history

27 Site Selection Soil test for ph, fertility, nematodes Address weed issues prior to planting Learn how to use Roundup, especially if Bermuda or Zoysia grass is present, may take several applications Till, establish sod, and kill out rows an option Understand dangers of nematodes, replant disease, residual pathogens, and persistent herbicides Mixed results with solarization Black plastic barriers are not recommended, landscape fabric with mixed results, promotes very shallow roots, rodents

28 Avoid Wildlife Conflicts: Deer Fencing and Netting

29 BRAMBLES

30 BRAMBLES

31 Brambles Raspberries: red, yellow: summer or fall bearing types black: blackcaps used for jams, jellies purple: red / black raspberry cross Blackberries: thorny or thornless erect or trailing growth range of winter hardiness Blackberry / raspberry crosses: boysenberry, tayberry, marionberry not recommended for subzero temps

32 Best Bramble Varieties Summer Red Raspberries: Titan, Killarney, Latham, Heritage, Ruby Fall (Primocane) Raspberries: Autumn Bliss, Heritage, Fall Gold, Anne Black Raspberries: Bristol, Jewel Purple Raspberries: Brandywine, Royalty Blackberries: thornless trailing: Chester, Triple Crown, Hull thorny trailing: Black Butte thornless erect: Navaho, Arapaho, Apache thorny erect: Illini Hardy, Shawnee, Chickasaw

33 Bramble Culture: Planting Choose a well drained site and/or build raised beds Build or improve the soil fertility Soil ph Remove old plantings, wild blackberries and raspberries from nearby Use virus free certified plants from a reputable nursery Trellis systems and spacing used based on type s growth habit: suckering or not sucker single plant hill or solid hedgerow

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35 Bramble Culture: Planting Plant in the spring before soil warms with either root cuttings or plants. Plants especially for thornless varieties Root cuttings should be pencil size and 4-6 long Rows should be feet apart Plant spacing within varies RR & YR BR Blackberries 3-4 feet

36 Bramble Culture: Planting Soak for 2 hours prior to planting Plant the plants 1 inch deeper than depth at nursery Fan out roots Cover cuttings with 2-3 soil After 4-6 weeks inspect to see that roots have developed 2-3 feet out from the planted canes Water as necessary Install trellis Mulch only in first year

37 Bramble Fertilizer Recommendations Two weeks prior to planting: apply ½# per 100 sq. feet (=500# per acre) Apply 1# per 100 sq. feet in July or August In following years, apply 1# in early spring Cultivate to keep weeds out

38 Bramble Culture: Seasonal Practices Growth, bearing habits, pruning differs laterals encouraged by in PR, BR red raspberries, trailing blackberries are not pinched Prompt harvest, remove bad berries Winter: thin new canes, head tops, trim laterals

39 Raspberries

40 Spacing and Trellising of Raspberry Black raspberry Low trellis, posts 6 apart Plants 3-4 feet apart in the row Trellis spaced feet apart Red and yellow raspberry Low trellis, posts 25 apart Plants 2-3 feet apart in the row Trellis spaced 10 feet apart Purple raspberry Vigorous plants do not require trellis Plants 3-5 feet apart in the row Rows spaced 10 feet apart

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42 Raspberry Pruning Summer bearing varieties Remove fruiting canes after harvest Reduce to 6-8 primocanes per foot of row Fall bearing varieties Two potential crops: heavy fall crop and lesser spring crop following If only fall crop, mow close to ground in very late fall or early spring Black and purple raspberries 4-6 plants per hill Tip when plants reach 5-6 feet high in July-August Head back laterals feet apart

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44 Blackberries

45 Spacing and Trellising of Blackberry Blackberry High trellis, wires at 2 ½, 3 ½, 4 ½, & 5 ½ feet Posts 6 apart Plants 3-4 feet apart in the row Trellis spaced feet apart

46 Production Considerations Leave 6 canes per foot in rows kept to wide by removing suckers Drip irrigate 2-3 gallons per plant per day in dry weather Promote laterals by topping ends of canes when they reach height of 36 to 48 inches Summer: pinch-head back tips to 30

47 Production Considerations Remove laterals to 8-10 during the winter Take out old canes after fruiting

48 Blackberry Pruning Thornless and semi-erect Tip when plants reach 5 feet high in July Remove fruiting canes after harvest Reduce to 6-8 canes per yard of row or 6-8 canes per hill Head back laterals to 12 in late November Potential use of stakes, set in a grid 5-8 feet apart

49 Trellis Support

50 Shift Trellis for Blackberries

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53 Blueberries

54 Lowbush- mostly processed Northern Highbush Rabbiteye Southern Highbush Plants can bear fruit for 50 years or more

55 Choose varieties according to ripening season using more than one variety in the same maturity group A. Early season: Bluetta, Earliblue, Duke, Patriot B. Midseason Bluecrop, Blueray, Northland C. Late season Jersey, Coville D. Very Late season Late Blue (Aug- Sept.)

56 Production Considerations Plants grow to 4-8 feet tall Spaces at 4-5 feet between plants feet between rows Crop evolved in low ph conditions, very well drained soils with high organic matter content Has a relatively shallow root system; trickle irrigation is recommended

57 Production Considerations Requires abundant sunlight and good drainage, may want to construct raised beds. Note risk of vole damage Plant slightly deeper than depth in nursery Each hole is 1 cubic foot Desired soil ph Use elemental sulfur or Ammonium sulfate to lower ph, do not use aluminum sulfate

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59 Production Considerations Add up to 20% organic matter in the planting hole If using peat moss, cover with 1 inch of soil to prevent water loss by wicking Can apply up to 4 inches of rotted sawdust as a surface mulch

60 Production Considerations Remove flower blossoms for first two years, half of buds in the third year Practice dormant pruning after established 3 years Remove crowded small branches and material in the center of crown to 12 shoots per plant of mixed age

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62 Fertilizing Blueberries Apply 1 ounce of ammonium sulfate 4-6 weeks after planting In subsequent years, apple 2 ounces of ammonium sulfate at bloom, repeat one month later. No fertilizers after July 1 st No potassium chloride should be applied to blueberries

63 Strawberries

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65 Strawberry Types June Bearers most common and dependable early, mid and late season: May-June Earliglow, Honeoye, Red Chief, Allstar, Jewell Consider: dessert / preserving, disease resistance Everbearers June and fall peaks varieties: Quinault, Ozark Beauty Day-Neutrals production through season, smaller fruit good for contained space varieties: Tribute, Tristar

66 Planting Strawberries 1. Soil 6.5 to Ground must be weed free, prepare one year prior 3. Work soil to Include half to one pound /100 sq. ft. (22-44# N/acre)

67 Planting Strawberries 1. Order from a reputable nursery 2. Keep bundles of young plants together 3. Plant as early as possible in the spring 4. Water in young plants well 5. Proper planting depth very important. 6. Check weeds by cultivating weekly with a shuffle hoe

68 Planting Strawberries Plan for inch matted rows Plants inches within the row Fertilize 2-3 weeks prior to planting Fertilize again 6 weeks after planting, again in July, and once more in August Rate: ½# of /100 sq. ft. Water weekly if needed Remove all fruit in first year.

69 Matted Row Strawberry Renovation Renovation or Bed Renewal: done annually or every other year stimulates new growth maintains access to area for culling excessive plants, berry harvest removes old, diseased leaves

70 Matted Row Strawberry Renovation Steps of Renovation: 1. Done within 1 week of end of harvest 2. Mow old leaves above crown, rake off 3. Thin old crowns, narrow rows to width with rototiller 4. Remove weeds, can apply pre-emergent herbicide, e.g. Dacthal 5. Fertilize:1-2 lbs /100 ft 2 6. Irrigate

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74 Winter Care for Strawberries Cover once plants go dormant in late November or after 6-10 hard frosts Apply 4 inches of straw Rake to row middles in the spring

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77 Other Small Fruit Gooseberries, Currants: tolerate some shade organic matter & mulch important some pruning to keep productive Pawpaws: difficult to dig in wild use shade cover the first year Elderberries: plant a named variety: Johns, York, Adams protect from birds Hardy Kiwis choose well drained site, build sturdy trellis 1 male : 5 female plants ratio

78 Planting Currants and Gooseberries 1. Order from a reputable nursery 2. Best in higher elevations and more northern areas 3. Avoid southern aspect 4. Soil with 2-3 % OM, well drained, ph Plants are 3-4 feet wide and tall so plant these 3-4 feet apart feet between rows 7. Plant as early as possible in the spring, slightly deeper than in nursery

79 Planting Currants and Gooseberries 7. Water in young plants well, apply weekly 8. No fertilizer in first year, then 5# of yearly, ½ in early spring and ½ in summer 9. Check weeds by cultivating 10. Mulch with wood chips laid 2-4 inches deep 11. Harvest in late June and July 12. Prune so there is a mix of wood 1-3 years old 13. Black currants fruit on one year old wood, wish 6-8 young shoots renewed yearly. Needs cross pollination

80 Planting Elderberries 1. Very tall plants, vigorous 2. Order from a reputable nursery 3. Soil with 2-3 % OM, well drained, ph Plants 3-6 feet apart feet between rows 6. Fertilize after first year, 1 cup per plant in spring 7. Harvest in late August to early September canes per plant 9. Prune out old wood, wish equal number of canes of 1-3 year age

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82 Common questions Selecting the right rootstock Pruning and training young trees Proper thinning Achieving quality fruit at harvest Know reasons trees fail to produce fruit Control of insects and diseases Renovating older trees Tree Fruit

83 Variety Selection Choose varieties adapted to our soil and climatic conditions Select varieties with the fewest insect and disease problems Several varieties of the same kind of fruit maturing at different times may be planted to prolong the harvest season.

84 Variety Selection Sour cherry, peach, and nectarine varieties listed are sufficiently self-fruitful to set satisfactory crops with their own pollen. Apricots are not recommended for planting in Virginia. The buds of currently available varieties respond to the first warm days of early spring and are usually killed by frost or low temperature common to most areas. Unless protection can be provided, a crop can be expected no more frequently than once every four or five years.

85 Apple Rootstocks

86 Tree Spacing

87 Orchard Management Cultural Practices Young fruit trees should be mulched or cultivated until they begin to bear. Weeds must be eliminated so they will not compete for available moisture and fertilizer. Cultivation must be shallow to avoid injury to roots near the surface. The cultivated or mulched area should extend a little beyond the spread of the branches.

88 Orchard Management Both organic and inorganic mulch (i.e., black plastic) provide habitats for voles. Organic forms of mulch also release nitrogen throughout the season, which affects the grower s ability to control when and how much nitrogen is available. If trees are mulched, the mulch should be removed in the fall.

89 Fertilization Soil ph between 6.0 and 6.5. No fertilizer is recommended or needed at planting time. After the young tree becomes established and growth begins, apply nitrate fertilizer in a circle around the tree, about 8 to 10 inches from the trunk. Fertilize young trees three times. Two weeks after planting Again six and 10 weeks after planting

90 Fertilization A rule of thumb practiced in many commercial apple orchards is to apply about 1/4 pound of a 16% nitrogen fertilizer, or its equivalent, for each year of the tree s age from planting For peach orchards, the amount of fertilizer should be doubled When trees are grown in a lawn area, delay fertilizing the lawn until after trees are dormant to avoid latesummer growth on the trees.

91 Fertilization Scatter fertilizer evenly under the tree, starting about 2 feet from the trunk and extending to just beyond the tips of the branches Mature, bearing trees of peach, nectarine, and sweet cherry should produce an average of 10 to 15 inches of new growth annually 8 to 10 inches of terminal growth is considered adequate for mature, bearing apple, pear, quince, plum, and sour cherry trees.

92 Organic Fertility Management One bushel of composted manure per tree each year up to age 5 is adequate. After age 5 dwarf trees still only need one bushel but semi dwarf and seedling apples can use up to 3 bushels per tree per year. Use only enough to insure 8 to 12 inches of new growth after year 5. On many clay and clay loam soils no fertilizer is needed to produce adequate growth for many years.

93 Fruit Tree Development

94 Pruning All pruning has a dwarfing effect For maximum yield of high-quality fruit, prune only as necessary to establish a tree with a strong framework capable of supporting heavy crops annually without damage Maintain the tree sufficiently open to allow penetration of sunlight, air, and spray material for good fruit development and pest control.

95 Pruning Most pruning is done during the dormant season, preferably just before active growth begins in the spring.remove no more than 20% of canopy in any given year. Summer pruning may be done to help train young trees to the desired shape, remove water sprouts and other undesirable growth, and maintain smaller tree size. All newly planted fruit trees should be pruned in the spring before growth starts to stimulate lateral bud development. When pruning, head back to a lateral or a fruit bud

96 Fruit Tree Pruning

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98 Central Leader Tree Pruning

99 Open-center tree

100 Open-center Peach Tree It is necessary that the peach be pruned annually to stimulate new growth and maintain production near the main body of the tree. Moderate thinning and heading back to outward-growing laterals to keep the tree low and spreading. A height of 8 or 9 feet is usually preferred.

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102 Pruning Summary Pruning invigorates and results in strong growth close to the pruning cut. Pruning reduces the number of shoots, so remaining shoots are stimulated. However, total shoot growth and size of the limb is reduced. Pruning always reduces yield.

103 FRUIT PEST MANAGEMENT Correct identification of insects and diseases Determine if a need for control exists and proper timing of treatments Learn about appropriate pesticide recommendations and possible alternatives to conventional fruit sprays Learn how to practice integrated pest management (IPM) options in the home planting

104 Sanitation The destruction of places that harbor insects and diseases plays a large part in the control program. 1. Collect and burn debris. 2. Remove and destroy all dropped fruit. 3. Rake and burn apple and cherry leaves. 4. Scrape loose bark from trunks, crotches, and main limbs of apple trees. 5. Prune out and destroy all dead or diseased 6. Conditions that encourage mice should also be eliminated.

105 Rodent Control

106 Mid-Atlantic Orchard Monitoring Guide NRAES - 75 Available From Virginia Cooperative Extension Distribution Center 361 Pages

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108 Find the Right Sized Sprayer

109 Disease Management There are many potentially devastating diseases, e.g. Apple Scab, Powdery Mildew and Fireblight Effective disease control requires frequent sprays with adequate coverage of all surfaces.

110 Apple Scab

111 Powdery Mildew on Apples Different faces of the same disease

112 Summer Diseases Sooty Blotch and Fly Speck are cosmetic problems. They do not significantly affect the health of the tree or the fruit quality.

113 Other Apple Diseases Black Rot and Fireblight are occasional problems. They can be reduced by a strict sanitation program Grow varieties and rootstocks that are not highly susceptible to fireblight. Maintain moderate rather than vigorous growth is also important. Fireblight can quickly kill young tissue and easily kills wood up to 3 years old but moves slowly in older wood.

114 Early Season Plant Protection Superior Oil or dormant oil are highly refined oils used in the early spring to smother the eggs of over wintering pests such as aphids and mites. Oils are incompatible with sulfur and cause damage to apple leaves and fruit. Sulfur should not be used sooner than 7 to 10 days after an oil spray nor should oils be used when sulfur residue is present.

115 Plum Curculio The most serious insect pest to apples

116 Common insect pests: Internal feeders: Codling Moth Oriental Fruit Moth

117 Common insect pests: Leafrollers (External feeders)

118 The Virginia Fruit Page Extension, Research and Teaching in Fruit Crops Mid-Atlantic Regional Fruit Loop