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Grapevine December 2019 Did you know that the song Here We Come A-Caroling is also know as Here We Come A-Wassailing? There are many amazing versions of this holiday song by many artists. But there is another meaning related to the old English practice of "wassailing" that dates back to the 8th century. Orchardists would dance in costume and hang cider-soaked toast in their cider orchard to ward off evil spirits and promote a bountiful harvest the following year. Given the 2019 polar vortex that wiped out our harvests - we all need to wassail for a better harvest next year! Dancing in costume and hanging cider-soaked toast in the orchard is optional - but might be fun. Instructions: Heat up some apple cider and either sing or recite along with me: Old apple tree we wassail thee And hoping thou will bear For the Lord doth know where we shall be ‘Til apples come another year For to bear well and to bloom well So merry let us be Let every man take off his hat And shout to the old apple tree Old apple tree we wassail thee And hoping thou will bear Hat fulls, cap fulls, three bushel bag fulls And a little heap under the stairs Thanks to everyone who volunteered and participated in our wonderful 2019 events. We may have had a poor harvest but we had a great time at our events. Also, we cannot forget that we lost Gene Yale this year - RIP. But now it's time to get our 2020 on honor his memory by making next year even better. January is our annual business meeting and soup luncheon. We'll be voting on our club officers - everyone has agreed to another term if you'll have us! If you are interested in getting more involved, we are always looking for more volunteers. The search is on for our Kurle Memorial speaker for February - we're thinking about a panel of speakers this year to change it up. And please make note in your calendars that our first grafting session will be in a new location - we're scouting locations now. Check the March Grapevine for additional details. Have a wonderful holiday season and don't forget to "wassail" for a great harvest next year! Deborah Graham The Grapevine December 2019 • The Journal of the Midwest Fruit Explorers • Vol. 43 No. 4 THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE 1 INSIDE President's Message 1 Honeyberries and Haskaps 2 Gene Yale Photos 3 Harvest Festival, Michael Zost 4 Harvest Festival Statement 5 Dues Reminder; Volunteers Needed 5 Kurle Memorial Lecture 6 Annual Business Meeting 6 Harvest Festival Photos 7 Further Harvest Fest Comments 7 New Rootstocks, Cosnow Media Awards 8 Apple Cider Pressing, Cider Recipe 9 Rootstock Order Info 10 Membership Renewal Form 11 Scion Wood Donors Needed 11 Calendar 12

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Page 1: The Grapevine December 2019.pdf · included GoldRush, Suncrisp, Orin, Rubinette, Scarlet Beauty, Stayman Winesap, Rubinette, Mutsu, Florina Querina, Kazak, Melrose, and Pink Sugar

Grapevine December 2019

Did you know that the song Here We Come A-Caroling is also know as Here We Come A-Wassailing? There are manyamazing versions of this holiday song by many artists. But there is another meaning related to the old English practice of "wassailing" that dates back to the 8th century.

Orchardists would dance in costume and hang cider-soaked toast in their cider orchard to ward off evil spirits and promote a bountiful harvest the following year. Given the

2019 polar vortex that wiped out our harvests - we all need to wassail for a better harvest next year! Dancing in costume and hanging cider-soaked toast in the orchard is optional - but might be fun. Instructions: Heat up some apple cider and either sing or recite along with me:

Old apple tree we wassail thee And hoping thou will bear For the Lord doth know where we shall be ‘Til apples come another year

For to bear well and to bloom well So merry let us be

Let every man take off his hat And shout to the old apple tree

Old apple tree we wassail thee And hoping thou will bear Hat fulls, cap fulls, three bushel bag fulls And a little heap under the stairs

Thanks to everyone who volunteered and participated in our wonderful 2019 events. We may have had a poor harvest but we had a great time at our events. Also, we cannot forget that we lost Gene Yale this year - RIP. But

now it's time to get our 2020 on honor his memory by making next year even better. January is our annual business meeting and soup luncheon. We'll be voting on our club officers - everyone has agreed to another term if you'll have us! If you are interested in getting more involved, we are always looking for more volunteers. The search is on for our Kurle Memorial speaker for February -we're thinking about a panel of speakers this year to changeit up. And please make note in yourcalendars that our first graftingsession will be in a new location -we're scouting locations now. Checkthe March Grapevine for additionaldetails. Have a wonderful holidayseason and don't forget to "wassail"for a great harvest next year!

Deborah Graham

The Grapevine

December 2019 • The Journal of the Midwest Fruit Explorers • Vol. 43 No. 4

THE PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

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INSIDE

President's Message 1Honeyberries and Haskaps 2Gene Yale Photos 3Harvest Festival, Michael Zost 4Harvest Festival Statement 5 Dues Reminder; Volunteers Needed 5Kurle Memorial Lecture 6Annual Business Meeting 6Harvest Festival Photos 7Further Harvest Fest Comments 7New Rootstocks, Cosnow Media Awards 8Apple Cider Pressing, Cider Recipe 9Rootstock Order Info 10Membership Renewal Form 11Scion Wood Donors Needed 11Calendar 12

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Grapevine December 2019

Honeyberries and Haskaps (Lonicera caerula ssp) by Robin Guy

Plants in this group are edible members of the honeysuckle family (Caprifoliaceae). Edible honeysuckle is known by a variety of names including Haskap. Haskap is what the Japanese call their edible honeysuckles. Honeysuckles are native to cool temperate areas of the Northern Hemisphere. Haskap is often used as a common name for honeyberry, but technically they represent two distinct subspecies. In general, honeyberry refers to a group of subspecies including kamtshatica, edulis, baczkarnikovae, and, to a lesser degree, altaica. Haskap refers to the specific subspecies emphylocalyx, although the University of Saskatchewan also calls theirhaskaps Lonicera caerula.

As the terminology for honeyberries and haskaps seem to overlap, the following information primarily refers to both plants. The fruit is elongated or roundish, about the size and color of a blueberry, with a good flavor that is somewhat tart and compared to a blueberry/raspberry flavor.

The honeyberry/ haskap plant is a bush-type of variable shapes ranging from low-spreading to 2-5 feet upright. It is hardy in zones 2-7, and cold hardy to -40°F. It takes 1-2 years before a harvest. It likes full sun (6-8 hours per day), and moderate to well-drained soil with pH between 5.0 and 7.0. However, some haskaps native to Canada thrive in swamps! They do not need pruning, but if you need to prune, do not to prune the tips off, as this is where a majority of flowers and fruit develop. They need minimal care, no fertilizer except for iron if needed, are not invasive, and are resistant to most pests, but birds eating the fruit and powdery mildew (in wet and humid summers) can be problematic. Bird protection is required to ensure that you get some fruit from your plants since this is the first thing to ripen in the summer, so the birds will be all over it.

The plant is very early blooming (and, luckily, the flowers are fairly frost-hardy); therefore, it promotes pollinator build-up for later blooming fruit crops. However, honeyberries require cross pollination, so planting at least 2 varieties with similar blooming times (and different compatibility genes) is needed for fruit production. It is advisable to check the internet for varieties that work with each other for cross-pollination.

The berries are high in antioxidants. Most of the antioxidants are maintained in the skin of the berry. There isthe outer skin, and inside, there are two berries, each having their own skin.

To rejuvenate the plant once it gets old and unproductive the bush can be chopped down about half a foot above the surface and allowed to re-grow.

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Grapevine December 2019 3

Gene Yale 1930-2019

MidFEx charter member, mentor, and friend

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Grapevine December 2019 4

MIDFEX HARVEST FESTIVAL 2019 – MICHAEL ZOST

Congratulations to all MidFEx members who participated in this year’s successful Harvest Festival the weekend of October 19th and 20th at the Chicago Botanic Gardens. We had a good turnout of members/ volunteers on both Saturday and Sunday. The weather was perfect and fall-like both days along with enough fall color to make for an ideal weekend and to feature who we are as MidFex. We repeatedly heard customers say that they were so glad we were at the Garden offering this “incredible” experience. It was a treat to catch up with our numerous regular returning customers who reiterated that they had been waiting all year for this event and the chance to get their favorite apple, fruit butter, and cider. All good feedback. In fact, we may want to think how we can make this bigger or be a bigger presence at the Garden next year.

As in the past, we were able to obtain excellent fruit from our Wisconsin source (Haf’s Orchard) and our Indiana source (Doud Orchard). We were able to choose from a solid variety of apples that were always tasty for our attendees. This year’s top selling varieties were Lucky Jon and Crimson Crisp. Our apple mix included GoldRush, Suncrisp, Orin, Rubinette, Scarlet Beauty, Stayman Winesap, Rubinette, Mutsu, Florina Querina, Kazak, Melrose, and Pink Sugar. Unfortunately, we weren’t able to offer a red-fleshed apple or Asianpears this year but will work to bring them back next year. We had strong cider sales thanks to our member-volunteers pressing and demonstrating (Mike Modde and crew). We did well with an increase of sales for a 3rd year with Doud Orchard Honey Crisp Apple Cider. In the fruit butter categories, we offered Apple and Peach Butter, along with Apple Syrup (apple cider boiled down to intensify the flavor – Awesome!) from Miller’s Orchard of Middlebury, Indiana. We also had Plum, Pear, and Apricot Butters from the Yoder Families of Ohio.

Our credit/debit card sales with our Square Credit Card Processor were fantastic. We increased our number of sales and visitors made larger purchases because of this feature. Customers were so appreciative that we offered it and didn’t need to get cash out of the ATM in the front of the Garden. Customers also kept our senior fruit growers busy answering questions and sharing their expertise and insight. It’s so exciting and rewarding when we spread the word that “you too can grow the fruit you love to eat where ever you live”. For the second year, we offered Paw Paws to sample and purchase provided by Jeff Postlewaite (thank you Jeff). And a big thanks to Kevin Kuchel who manned this station all weekend and promoted a much overlooked fruit. Their efforts alone yielded a net of $405.

The staff of the Chicago Botanic Garden, as always, was awesome to work with and continue to go out of their way for MidFEx to make our Harvest Festival a success. Our thanks to Sarah and Allie.

A big thanks to the members who shared their fruit for our displays and to Al Cosnow for his expertise and knowledge and for being at the Festival all three days. Thanks to Pat Driscoll for updating the cider press and bringing it to the Garden. To all our volunteers: thank you so much for your time, help, and commitment to theHarvest Fest and MidFEx. Because of you, we outdid ourselves with our offering samples of fruit, fruit butters, and cider both sale days. We were able to set up Friday and tear down Sunday smoothly and efficiently. We really have terrific people in MidFEx. Keep spreading the word!

Ready, Set

GO!!!!

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Grapevine December 2019

MidFEx Harvest Festival Statement

Festival Dates 10/19/19 – 10/20/19

Gross Receipts $8,380.28Expenses:

113 cases of apples 3,449.00

10 cases of cider apples 160.00225 half-gallons of apple cider 550.0072 half-gallons of Honeycrisp cider 256.00451 jars fruit butter 1,025.891000 half-peck apple bags 206.19

Bags, plates, crackers, tasting cups, etc. 421.57Miscellaneous books sold 70.24Chicago Botanic Garden commission 224.14

Total Expenses 6,363.03

Net Income $2,017.25

MEMBERSHIP DUES REMINDER

Membership dues are $20, $30, or $35 for 1, 2, or 3 years respectively.

Grapevine delivery via email is free. Delivery of a paper copy by mail will add $10 per year to dues in order to offset the cost of printing and postage.

Check your address label or the email message that delivered your Grapevine for your membership expiration date. If it says 12/30/2019 or earlier, then it is time to renew. At the time of your renewal, if you would like to switch from a paper copy to email or vice versa, send a note to [email protected].

Volunteers Needed

We are looking for several club members to be representatives of MidFEx in information booths for the following events:

March 2020 DuPage Organic Gardening Club Fair in Carol StreamMay 2020 Cantigny Open Greenhouse Fair

2020 Picnic CoordinatorWe are also looking for a picnic coordinator to lead site selection and coordinate vendors and volunteers for our annual picnic in mid-July 2020. Members who are interested in hosting the picnic or who have suggestions for the picnic location should contact Deb.

Members who would like to host Orchard Walks in 2020 are asked to contact Deb.

Please contact Deb Graham ([email protected]) if interested.

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Grapevine December 2019

2020 Kurle Memorial Lecture

Speakers: Bill Stone and Larry PeceniakTopic: The Joys and Challenges of Small Orchards

Sunday, February 23, 2020 from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Alsdorf Auditorium, Chicago Botanic Garden

1000 Lake Cook Road, Glencoe, Illinois

The Kurle Memorial lecture is our annual event in memory of one of our founding members. Robert Kurle was an inspiration to those of us who grow “fruit galore” on small lots. Bob’s 2 acre orchard was located in the Chicago suburbs where he grew over 200 apple trees, most of them grafted with multiple varieties; 25 plum trees, 25 apricots, peaches, grapes, berries and more. In 1960, Organic Gardening magazine wrote a wonderful article about him which was reprinted previously (with permission) in the Grapevine. I’m going to have to read it again for tips!

MidFEx wants to keep his memory alive and to encourage the growing of home orchards and edible landscaping in our region through the club activities and by sponsoring the annual Kurle Lecture that is open to the public. This year we’re excited to announce that we will have two professional orchard operators who will lead a panel discussion. Our guests will be: Bill Stone of Brightonwoods Orchard and Larry Pecinak of Apples on Oak.

Brightonwoods and Apples on Oak are successful Midwest orchards, growing hundreds of varieties of apples. We look forward to hearing their advice and tips for local orchards. The format will be an open discussion with Q & A. Mark your calendars for February 23rd at 1pm and join us at the Chicago Botanic Garden!

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Enlarged view:

Annual Business Meeting

Sunday, January 12th, 2020, 1:00 to 5:00 PM, Prospect Heights Park District, 110 West Camp McDonald Road, Prospect Heights, IL 60070

We will begin the meeting with our annual Soup Bowl Luncheon. What better way to chase away the winter chill than with a steaming bowl of home-made soup. This is pot luck, so if soup isn’t your speciality, then by all means bring something else besides your appetite. Please bring something to share! We can always use fresh dippin’ bread or a dessert to complete the meal. The annual business meeting will follow.

Midwest Fruit Explorers: http://www.midfex.orgChicago Botanic Garden: http://www.chicagobotanic.org Brightonwoods Orchard: http://www.brightonwoodsorchard.com/Apples on Oak: http://www.applesonoak.com/

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Grapevine December 2019

Harvest Festival at CBG 2019

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Michael, Randy, and Ben sell apples

Everybody pitches in. Visitors full of questions, interesting comments too. Lots of new faces, familiar ones too.

MidFEx Harvest Fest Display

More on the Harvest Festival... by Kevin Kuchel

We had a very successful Harvest Festival. If you didn't make it to there this year, please try to come at least one day next year. We can always use more help. We got lucky again this year due to the late ripening of Jeff Postlewaite's pawpaws. He donated more than 40 lbs of them. Some of these were cut up and used for sample tasting which, as usual, resulted in lots of surprised expressions and interest in purchasing pawpaws. The remaining fruits were sold resulting in $405 in profit for the club. Thanks again Jeff.

Pawpaws, American and Asian persimmons, and hardy kiwis again generated many comments about their taste and appearance, and questions about how to grow them. Thanks to Bob Walter for supplying lots of kiwi "berries" for tasting. Maybe next year, we will add these to our selection of fall fruits for sale at the Fest.

I also noticed that we had very few pears (European and Asian) for display. There were only 3 varieties all together. Since pears are ripening around this time or are already in storage awaiting countertop ripening, we should definitely be able to show more varieties. Please remember to bring some of your prize specimens next year for the display.

This autumn night is filled with the sound of winter’s approaching footsteps,

Despite that, warmth remains.

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Grapevine December 2019 8

Progress in Developing New Rootstocks - Chuck Heisinger

After several years of missed opportunities, this year I attended the final day of the GLEXPO (Great Lakes Expo) four-day conference on December 9-12, 2019 for fruit and vegetable growers. The conference was held at the De Vos Conference Center in Grand Rapids, Michigan. More than 400 vendors exhibited at the trade show while workshops were held for all aspects of fruit and vegetable production and marketing. Thefinal day included a review of fruit rootstocks with some interesting take-aways.

Michigan State University (MSU) Horticulture and MSU Extension presenters discussed cherry, peach, pear, and apple rootstocks being tested. According to Greg Lang, MSU Horticulturist, standard cherry trees can grow up to 135 feet high. Semi-vigorous and semi-dwarf cherry rootstocks, Gisela, Colt, and Krymsk have provided much needed size-limiting properties. Amy Ienzzoni, an MSU Horticulturist, discussed 5 new dwarf rootstocks entering testing: Cass, Clare, Clinton, Crawford, and Lake (named after Michigan counties). These rootstocks are being developed by MSU and yield trees that are 30-45% of standard size at maturity. Incidentally, Dr. Ienzzoni was named the 2019 Innovator of the Year by the MSU Innovation Center.

In the peach category, Rootpac 20, Rootpac 40, and MP-29 rootstocks are currently being tested. Rootpac 20 appears to be more cold-hardy than Rootpac 40, although not as dwarfing. Peaches flower on last year’sgrowth, so appropriate pruning is always important to develop a good crop.

A number of known pear roots were discussed with the old-standby, OHxF 87, touted as an excellent rootstock. OHxF, Old Home x Farmingdale, rootstocks were developed from two fire blight resistant pear seedlings discovered in Illinois by Oregon State University researchers about 100 years ago. Old Home was a nursery and Farmingdale was an orchard. (How they connected pre-internet in 1915 is a miracle in itself!) In addition, Amelanchier rootstocks, usually associated with shrubs such as serviceberry, are also undergoing trials. They have proven to be very cold-hardy. (Al Cosnow has more information on this.)

Among new apple rootstocks, the MSU presenters gave promising reviews to Geneva 969, Geneva 210, and Geneva 890, along with Budagovsky 10. The Geneva rootstocks produce trees in the Malling 26 to Malling 7 height range (about 8-10 feet tall), while Bud 10 is slightly larger than Bud 9 (10-14 feet tall).Upcoming Event:The Michigan Organic Food and Farm Alliance (MOFFA, www.moffa.net) is offering three concurrent day-long intensive programs on Saturday, January 11, 2020 in Lansing, Michigan. For those interested in organic orchard techniques, Michael Phillips of Lost Nation Orchard will discuss the fascinating biological connections that create a healthy orchard ecosystem. Phillips has written extensively on this topic as authorof The Holistic Orchard, The Apple Grower, and Mycorrhizal Planet: How Fungi and Plants Work Togetherto Create Dynamic Soils.

Announcing The 2nd Annual Cosnow Media Awards for Excellence in Fruit-

Growing Education

Nominations are now being accepted for internet videos that portray excellent practices in growing fruit. Finalists will be selected from among the nominations and screened at the MidFEx annual business meeting. The winning video will be determined by a vote of those in attendance at the business meeting. Videos of any length may be submitted, but if longer than 8 minutes, only a portion of the video will be screened. Please submit video links by January 5, 2020 to:

[email protected]

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Grapevine December 2019

Apple Cider Social at Al Cosnow’s Home

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Back to the old crush and grind!

Randy, J.W., Phil, Rick, Al, and Oriana cheer Jeff on.

Apple Cider - Hot with RumEmeril Lagasse 2002

Ingredients:1 apple2 teaspoons whole cloves1 orange, thinly sliced2 quarts apple cider[original used ½ C brown sugar] instead use 1/8 C1 teaspoon allspicePinch grated nutmeg1 cup dark rumCinnamon sticks as garnish

Directions:Stud the apple all around with the cloves. In a medium pot, combine the studded apple and remaining ingredients except the rum. Slowly bring to a simmer over low heat, then simmer for 10 minutes. Remove from heat and add rum. Discard the apple. Add liquid to a slow cooker to keep warm. Ladle into mugs and garnish each with a cinnamon stick. Serve.

Variations suggested by online cooking enthusiasts:‘Pioneer woman’ - Add ½ cup cranberries, ½ gallon additional apple cider, substitute 1 cup apple brandy for rum.‘The Kitchen’ - Substitute 1 cup maple syrup for brown sugar, add juice of 1 whole lemon, substitute ½ bottle of bourbon for rum, add just before serving.

NOTE: THE FIRST GRAFTING WORKSHOP THIS YEAR WILL NOT BE HELD AT CANTIGNY. IT WILL BE HELD AT A NEW LOCATION. TENTATIVELY, THIS LOCATION WILL BE:COLLEGE OF DUPAGE LOCATED ON LAMBERT AND ROOSEVELT ROADS, GLEN ELLYN, IL ON MARCH 22, 2020. FURTHER DETAILS WILL BE FORTHCOMING IN THE MARCH GRAPEVINE.

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Grapevine December 2019

ORDER ROOTSTOCK NOW

The workshops are one of the principal educational benefits of being a fruit explorer. We will NOT have extras of most of these roots at the workshops so order 2 or 3 times as many trees as you think you have space for. This increases the probability of your success and is an inexpensive course to becoming an experienced grafter. Any surplus of successfully grafted trees make truly unique gifts. Even the unsuccessfully grafted trees are useful for learning about summer budding.

The rootstocks available for the grafting workshops this year are:

Apple:M27: The most dwarfing apple rootstock - about 15% (usually 4 - 6 feet) of standard size tree at maturity. Requires

permanent support of stake or trellis.Geneva 41: Develops into a tree about 30% of standard at maturity. Highly resistant to fire blight and Phytophthora.

Requires staking.BUD 9: Develops into a tree about 30% - 35% of standard at maturity. Developed in Russia. Very hardy. Requires staking.

Pear:OHXF333: Compatible with European and Asian varieties. About 50% - 66% of standard pear tree size at maturity.OHXF87: Compatible with European and Asian varieties. About 85% of standard pear tree size at maturity. Semi-dwarfing for

Asian varieties.Quince BA29C: Precocious. About 50% of standard size at maturity. Compatible with quince and many (but not all)

European pears. List of compatible pear varieties will be available at the workshops.Plum:

Krymsk 1: About 50% dwarfing. Reported compatible with plums, apricots, peaches, and nectarines.* Stone fruit is generally more successfully grafted when it is warmer. We offer the roots here for those who will take them home and graft or bud later. Beginning grafters are more likely to have success grafting apple and pear.

**************************************************************************************************************************************************Prices are $4.00 each for orders received by January 31st. Rootstock ordered after January 31st or purchased at the grafting workshops will be $5.00 and selection will be VERY VERY limited. All the rootstock is bare root. Warning – there will FEW or NO extras of most of these roots at the workshops. If you want to be sure to get rootstocks, then place your order now, DO NOT WAIT UNTIL THE WORKSHOPS. **************************************************************************************************************************************************

Ordered items may be picked up at the grafting workshops. Scion wood contributed by members also will be available at the workshops.

2020 GRAFTING WORKSHOP REQUEST FORM

NAME:_________________________________________ PHONE:_______________

QUANTITY ITEM PRICEEACH

TOTAL

GRAND TOTAL

Please mail payment to:Jeff PostlewaiteMidwest Fruit ExplorersP.O. Box 93 Questions? (708) 596-7139

Markham, IL 60428-0093 [email protected]

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Grapevine December 2019

MidFEx Membership Application

New Member □ Renewing Member □Name (please print)

Address City State Zip

Telephone E-Mail

I learned of MidFEx from:

Choose membership option below. Select one only.Grapevine Delivery

Membership Length Email US Mail 1 Year $20 $30 2 Years $30 $50 3 Years $35 $65

Make check payable to MidFEx.

Mail to:MidFEx MembershipP.O. Box 93Markham, IL 60428-0093

The above information (name, address and phone only) will appear in our Members’ Only Directory (June Grapevine issue) and is never sold or rented to outside interests.

**** Note that the cost of membership always includes the Grapevine, but that printing and postage adds about $10 per year per member to thecost. This cost has been added into the membership fee for those who choose to have the Grapevine mailed rather than delivered electronically (online). The membership fees shown above reflect these costs.

Scion Wood Donors Needed

MidFEx is dependent on its members to provide the wide variety of scion wood available at our grafting workshops. Success of the graft is largely the result of the care given to the harvesting and storage of the scion wood. Please observe the following guidelines when contributing scion wood:

1 Cut scion wood only from trees that are free from disease and that have fruited.2 Cut the wood while it is still fully dormant before the buds start to swell, preferably not more than 2

- 3 weeks before the workshops.3 Cut only last year’s new growth that is about the thickness of a pencil or slightly less. Water

sprouts make excellent scion wood.4 Scion wood should be cut into 4 - 8 inch lengths with at least 3 buds per stick.5 ***Label the bundle (or ideally each stick) with the CORRECT variety name.***6 Put the bundle in a zip-lock or similar plastic bag, expel as much air as possible, and seal. 7 Refrigerate. Ideally, apples and bananas should not be refrigerated with the scion wood. They

give off ethylene gas that may induce the buds to open.

NOTE: When donating scion wood for the workshops, donors should provide a list on a single piece of paper with the donor’s name and the names of all the scion varieties they are donating. This will speedup the scion intake process and assist us in building a catalog of scion at the workshops.

Examples of scion that should (on left) and shouldn’t (on right) be used for

grafting

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MidFEx Calendar

January 12,2020Annual Business Meetnng Prospect Heinhts Park Districtg 110 West Camp McDonald Road, Prospect Heights, IL 60070, 1:00-5:00 pm

February 12, 2020 Submissions due for the next issue of the GrapevineFebruary 23, 2020 Kurle Memorial Lecture: Chicago Botanic Garden, Glencoe, IL 1-4 pmMarch 22, 2020 TBD Grafting Workshop: WILL NOT BE AT CANTIGNY – 8am – 4 pm ******LOCATION NOT YET FINALIZED*****March 29, 2020 Grafting Workshop: Chicago Botanic Garden, Glencoe, IL - 9:00am – 4:30 pm

July, 2020 Summer Picnic, Location TBD

October, 2020 Harvest Festival Set-up

October, 2020 Fall Harvest Festival, Chicago Botanic Garden, Glencoe

MidFEx Officers and ContactsPresident: Deborah Graham Secretary: Ben Balskus Vice-President: Patrick Driscoll Treasurer: Jeff Postlewaite

MidFEx Online Forum: Members are invited to join the MidFEx forum. Get advice and share your fruit growing experiences with other members. Subscribe to the forum at: http://lists.ibiblio.org/mailman/listinfo/midfexForum Administrator: Sherwin Dubren ([email protected])Membership: Use enclosed application, see website, email [email protected] Or write: MidFEx Membership, P.O. Box 93, Markham, IL 60428-0093

MidFEx Web Site: http://www.midfex.orgSend anything of interest (links, photographs, fruit info, etc.) to [email protected] for consideration for web site posting. Member Area first time login: username is your last name (case sensitive exactly as on your address label) plusa '-' plus your 5 character zip code. Example “Doe-60010”. password is your username as described above plus a '-' plus your membership expiration date expressed as 6 numeric characters. Example “Doe-60010-063012”

Grapevine articles wanted! Deadline for articles to Robin Guy for next issue: February 12, 2019. Please email articles to Robin and type “GRAPEVINE” in the header. Grapevine Gathering editor: Robin Guy ([email protected]) Layout editor for this Issue: Bob Walter

Grapevine December 2019

The GrapevineMidwest Fruit ExplorersPO Box 93, Markham, IL60428-0093

First Class

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