Issues in Orchard Establishment Site Selection Orchard Design Site Preparation Scion/Rootstock Selection Orchard Economics
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
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 18 10 1/2-inch green 23 15 Tight cluster 27 21 First pink 28 24 Full pink 28 25 First bloom 28 25 Full bloom 28 25 Post bloom 28 25
Frost damage
Problems with wet feet
Orchard Design
V-system on trellising Central Leader Slender Spindle
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
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.
Pollenization continued
Orchard Soil Nutrient Management ph should be maintained around 6.5 7.0 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!
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
Soil Conditions Problems: >6.5 B, Cu, Mn, Zn, and Fe uptake seriously reduced
Nitrogen usage during season
Fertility 8Calcium deficiency
Fertility 8Zn deficiency
Fertility 8Mg deficiencies
8Boron deficiency Fertility 8Boron toxicity
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
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
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
Proper planting When to plant? Spring Fall If trees are bare- root Late April or May If trees are in containers
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
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
Heading cut at planting