I finally had a few minutes to go around and inspect my new fruit trees. Just like in the beginning of the season, I found tons of aphids on the new growth of my Golden Delicious dwarf apple. Ugh. Before, I cut off the heavily infested portions. I don't want to do that again at the expense of branch growth.
To the rescue! I found her on my plum tree. I gave her a little ride over to the apple tree. She got an easy meal, and I will sleep a little better at night.
My
Stanley plum tree which was planted last fall. The leader is growing a bit crooked, so I used some plastic plant ties to straighten it up while it's still malleable.
A healthy bunch of
Reliance grapes. Eventually they mature to red.
Reliance grapes with black rot. Cut off and discarded in the trash....not in my composter. I purchased this variety, because it was labeled disease-resistant. I guess not to black rot. All season I have been removing leaves with signs of black rot along with all grapes or bunches that have been effected. Luckily I still have some great looking bunches. I read somewhere that grapes become resistant to black rot once they reach 5-8% sugar. I'm hoping that time is soon. I would hate to loose them all and I don't want to spray.
To the rescue! I found her on my plum tree. I gave her a little ride over to the apple tree. She got an easy meal, and I will sleep a little better at night.
My Stanley plum tree which was planted last fall. The leader is growing a bit crooked, so I used some plastic plant ties to straighten it up while it's still malleable.
A healthy bunch of Reliance grapes. Eventually they mature to red.
Reliance grapes with black rot. Cut off and discarded in the trash....not in my composter. I purchased this variety, because it was labeled disease-resistant. I guess not to black rot. All season I have been removing leaves with signs of black rot along with all grapes or bunches that have been effected. Luckily I still have some great looking bunches. I read somewhere that grapes become resistant to black rot once they reach 5-8% sugar. I'm hoping that time is soon. I would hate to loose them all and I don't want to spray.
I had two reliance grape vines. Now I have one. After caring for them three years, one just up and died without much growth this spring. The other one is sickly looking. I still have Glenora and Himrod vines. There isn't that many grapes... possibly due to this being the start of only the fourth year, but there are no little grapes either. So, I guess my grape harvest is over for this year.
ReplyDeleteJust a thought on the plum tree. I know apple trees are trained to NOT have a straight main trunk because the weight of the apples can damage it. I'm not sure if it's the same for the plum, but I share this with you so you can check into it.
I just added a Himrod as well. I'm hoping it is a bit more resistant to black rot. It is located on the other side of the house, so maybe that'll help.
ReplyDeleteI took your advice with the plum. I weighted the leader with a few clothespins. The main trunk is almost 5 feet, so that's tall enough for me. It's a dwarf, and I'd like to keep it that way. :)
As for the apple, it's still really short. Maybe around 3 1/2 feet, so the new leader that grew this year will give it more height and room for more scaffolds. I'm going to eventually train it to an open center to let in light and air. It should be tall enough next year.