View
0
Download
0
Category
Preview:
Citation preview
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
Central Leader
V-system on trellising
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
Fertility8Calcium deficiency
Fertility8Zn deficiency
Fertility
8Mg deficiencies
Fertility8Boron deficiency
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
Further economics• Fixed Production Costs
– Trees, equipment, etc.• Variable Costs
– LABOR!!!, pest control• Further issues
VT Orchard acreage ~ 4259CA Orchard acreage ~ 31,000WA 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)
Proper planting
• When to plant?– Spring
• If trees are bare- root• Late April or May
– Fall• 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
Proper planting
• Prune roots• 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
Recommended