I planted an orchard this spring with bare root stock. I know nothing
about growning fruit, I just like to pick and eat it. What do I need
to do for the trees and when?

I did prune them back as I planted them and have seen to it that they
have plenty of water.

Now what?

Thanks,
The inexperienced grower
Sue

Hi Sue,
If you want clean looking fruit and healthy trees, you will have to do
periodic spraying with fungicides and insecticides. Generally, the
'Orchard
Sprays' sold at your garden stores will handle most problems. You also
should do a dormant oil spray in early spring. Young trees may not need
a lot of fertilizer, but as they mature, you should either give them a
slow
release fertilizer in Fall, after they go dormant, or something in the
Spring.
I suggest you scan the web for information on 'caring for fruit trees',
and
you should find more details.

Sherwin Dubren

cameraman wrote:

I planted an orchard this spring with bare root stock. I know nothing
about growning fruit, I just like to pick and eat it. What do I need
to do for the trees and when?

I did prune them back as I planted them and have seen to it that they
have plenty of water.

Now what?

Thanks,
The inexperienced grower
Sue

Hi Sue,
If you want clean looking fruit and healthy trees, you will have to do
periodic spraying with fungicides and insecticides. Generally, the
'Orchard
Sprays' sold at your garden stores will handle most problems. You also
should do a dormant oil spray in early spring. Young trees may not need
a lot of fertilizer, but as they mature, you should either give them a
slow
release fertilizer in Fall, after they go dormant, or something in the
Spring.
I suggest you scan the web for information on 'caring for fruit trees',
and
you should find more details.

Sherwin Dubren

cameraman wrote:

I planted an orchard this spring with bare root stock. I know nothing
about growning fruit, I just like to pick and eat it. What do I need
to do for the trees and when?

I did prune them back as I planted them and have seen to it that they
have plenty of water.

Now what?

Thanks,
The inexperienced grower
Sue

cameraman wrote:

I planted an orchard this spring with bare root stock. I know nothing
about growning fruit, I just like to pick and eat it. What do I need
to do for the trees and when?

I did prune them back as I planted them and have seen to it that they
have plenty of water.

Now what?

Thanks,
The inexperienced grower
Sue

This varies according to both your climate and the varieties of
fruit. Please provide additional information.

--
David E. Ross
Climate: California Mediterranean
Sunset Zone: 21 -- interior Santa Monica Mountains with some ocean
influence (USDA 10a, very close to Sunset Zone 19)
Gardening pages at http://www.rossde.com/garden/

cameraman wrote:

I planted an orchard this spring with bare root stock. I know nothing
about growning fruit, I just like to pick and eat it. What do I need
to do for the trees and when?

I did prune them back as I planted them and have seen to it that they
have plenty of water.

Now what?

Thanks,
The inexperienced grower
Sue

This varies according to both your climate and the varieties of
fruit. Please provide additional information.

--
David E. Ross
Climate: California Mediterranean
Sunset Zone: 21 -- interior Santa Monica Mountains with some ocean
influence (USDA 10a, very close to Sunset Zone 19)
Gardening pages at http://www.rossde.com/garden/

cameraman wrote:

I planted an orchard this spring with bare root stock. I know nothing
about growning fruit, I just like to pick and eat it. What do I need
to do for the trees and when?

I did prune them back as I planted them and have seen to it that they
have plenty of water.

Now what?

Thanks,
The inexperienced grower
Sue

This varies according to both your climate and the varieties of
fruit. Please provide additional information.

--
David E. Ross
Climate: California Mediterranean
Sunset Zone: 21 -- interior Santa Monica Mountains with some ocean
influence (USDA 10a, very close to Sunset Zone 19)
Gardening pages at http://www.rossde.com/garden/

Hi David,
Just a bit curious as to whether there are climates in the USA where
spraying and
fertilizing are not recommended.

Sherwin Dubren

David Ross wrote:

cameraman wrote:

I planted an orchard this spring with bare root stock. I know nothing
about growning fruit, I just like to pick and eat it. What do I need
to do for the trees and when?

I did prune them back as I planted them and have seen to it that they
have plenty of water.

Now what?

Thanks,
The inexperienced grower
Sue

This varies according to both your climate and the varieties of
fruit. Please provide additional information.

--
David E. Ross
Climate: California Mediterranean
Sunset Zone: 21 -- interior Santa Monica Mountains with some ocean
influence (USDA 10a, very close to Sunset Zone 19)
Gardening pages at http://www.rossde.com/garden/

Hi David,
Just a bit curious as to whether there are climates in the USA where
spraying and
fertilizing are not recommended.

Sherwin Dubren

David Ross wrote:

cameraman wrote:

I planted an orchard this spring with bare root stock. I know nothing
about growning fruit, I just like to pick and eat it. What do I need
to do for the trees and when?

I did prune them back as I planted them and have seen to it that they
have plenty of water.

Now what?

Thanks,
The inexperienced grower
Sue

This varies according to both your climate and the varieties of
fruit. Please provide additional information.

--
David E. Ross
Climate: California Mediterranean
Sunset Zone: 21 -- interior Santa Monica Mountains with some ocean
influence (USDA 10a, very close to Sunset Zone 19)
Gardening pages at http://www.rossde.com/garden/

Hi David,
Just a bit curious as to whether there are climates in the USA where
spraying and
fertilizing are not recommended.

Sherwin Dubren

David Ross wrote:

cameraman wrote:

I planted an orchard this spring with bare root stock. I know nothing
about growning fruit, I just like to pick and eat it. What do I need
to do for the trees and when?

I did prune them back as I planted them and have seen to it that they
have plenty of water.

Now what?

Thanks,
The inexperienced grower
Sue

This varies according to both your climate and the varieties of
fruit. Please provide additional information.

--
David E. Ross
Climate: California Mediterranean
Sunset Zone: 21 -- interior Santa Monica Mountains with some ocean
influence (USDA 10a, very close to Sunset Zone 19)
Gardening pages at http://www.rossde.com/garden/

sherwindu wrote:

Hi David,
Just a bit curious as to whether there are climates in the USA where
spraying and
fertilizing are not recommended.

Climate may determine when you spray and for what purpose.

Fertilizing may depend on local soils. It also depends on climate,
since you don't want to encourage new growth when frosts are
likely.

Not doing either may limit the size of your fruit crop or even what
varieties will thrive. Remember, most fruit varieties are not
found in nature; they are not natural. Thus, you have to have
lower expectations when trying to grow them via natural-only
methods.

However, the original thread (below) did not explicitly mention
spraying or fertilizing. It did mention pruning, but it did not
mention the fruit varieties or climate.

Where I live (mild winters), I prune my peach tree and grape vines
around New Year, to enhance the crops. I prune my dwarf citrus
lightly throughout the growing season (March through October), for
appearances and to keep the foliage from exceeding the ability of
roots to supply water (growing in containers). I prune my guava
about once every 3-4 years, usually in February or early March, for
appearance. My loquat is not yet big enough to prune.



David Ross wrote:

cameraman wrote:

I planted an orchard this spring with bare root stock. I know nothing
about growning fruit, I just like to pick and eat it. What do I need
to do for the trees and when?

I did prune them back as I planted them and have seen to it that they
have plenty of water.

Now what?

Thanks,
The inexperienced grower
Sue

This varies according to both your climate and the varieties of
fruit. Please provide additional information.


--
David E. Ross
Climate: California Mediterranean
Sunset Zone: 21 -- interior Santa Monica Mountains with some ocean
influence (USDA 10a, very close to Sunset Zone 19)
Gardening pages at http://www.rossde.com/garden/

sherwindu wrote:

Hi David,
Just a bit curious as to whether there are climates in the USA where
spraying and
fertilizing are not recommended.

Climate may determine when you spray and for what purpose.

Fertilizing may depend on local soils. It also depends on climate,
since you don't want to encourage new growth when frosts are
likely.

Not doing either may limit the size of your fruit crop or even what
varieties will thrive. Remember, most fruit varieties are not
found in nature; they are not natural. Thus, you have to have
lower expectations when trying to grow them via natural-only
methods.

However, the original thread (below) did not explicitly mention
spraying or fertilizing. It did mention pruning, but it did not
mention the fruit varieties or climate.

Where I live (mild winters), I prune my peach tree and grape vines
around New Year, to enhance the crops. I prune my dwarf citrus
lightly throughout the growing season (March through October), for
appearances and to keep the foliage from exceeding the ability of
roots to supply water (growing in containers). I prune my guava
about once every 3-4 years, usually in February or early March, for
appearance. My loquat is not yet big enough to prune.



David Ross wrote:

cameraman wrote:

I planted an orchard this spring with bare root stock. I know nothing
about growning fruit, I just like to pick and eat it. What do I need
to do for the trees and when?

I did prune them back as I planted them and have seen to it that they
have plenty of water.

Now what?

Thanks,
The inexperienced grower
Sue

This varies according to both your climate and the varieties of
fruit. Please provide additional information.


--
David E. Ross
Climate: California Mediterranean
Sunset Zone: 21 -- interior Santa Monica Mountains with some ocean
influence (USDA 10a, very close to Sunset Zone 19)
Gardening pages at http://www.rossde.com/garden/

sherwindu wrote:

Hi David,
Just a bit curious as to whether there are climates in the USA where
spraying and
fertilizing are not recommended.

Climate may determine when you spray and for what purpose.

Fertilizing may depend on local soils. It also depends on climate,
since you don't want to encourage new growth when frosts are
likely.

Not doing either may limit the size of your fruit crop or even what
varieties will thrive. Remember, most fruit varieties are not
found in nature; they are not natural. Thus, you have to have
lower expectations when trying to grow them via natural-only
methods.

However, the original thread (below) did not explicitly mention
spraying or fertilizing. It did mention pruning, but it did not
mention the fruit varieties or climate.

Where I live (mild winters), I prune my peach tree and grape vines
around New Year, to enhance the crops. I prune my dwarf citrus
lightly throughout the growing season (March through October), for
appearances and to keep the foliage from exceeding the ability of
roots to supply water (growing in containers). I prune my guava
about once every 3-4 years, usually in February or early March, for
appearance. My loquat is not yet big enough to prune.



David Ross wrote:

cameraman wrote:

I planted an orchard this spring with bare root stock. I know nothing
about growning fruit, I just like to pick and eat it. What do I need
to do for the trees and when?

I did prune them back as I planted them and have seen to it that they
have plenty of water.

Now what?

Thanks,
The inexperienced grower
Sue

This varies according to both your climate and the varieties of
fruit. Please provide additional information.


--
David E. Ross
Climate: California Mediterranean
Sunset Zone: 21 -- interior Santa Monica Mountains with some ocean
influence (USDA 10a, very close to Sunset Zone 19)
Gardening pages at http://www.rossde.com/garden/

I live in southeast Kentucky at about 1000' elevation. I planted
golden and red delicious and fuji apples, I also planted peaches,
necterines, apricots, and plums. I would have to look up my records
to remember which kind of those.

Thanks,
Sue

On Mon, 02 Aug 2004 17:34:49 -0700, David Ross
wrote:

cameraman wrote:

I planted an orchard this spring with bare root stock. I know nothing
about growning fruit, I just like to pick and eat it. What do I need
to do for the trees and when?

I did prune them back as I planted them and have seen to it that they
have plenty of water.

Now what?

Thanks,
The inexperienced grower
Sue

This varies according to both your climate and the varieties of
fruit. Please provide additional information.

cameraman wrote:

I live in southeast Kentucky at about 1000' elevation. I planted
golden and red delicious and fuji apples, I also planted peaches,
necterines, apricots, and plums. I would have to look up my records
to remember which kind of those.

Thanks,
Sue

On Mon, 02 Aug 2004 17:34:49 -0700, David Ross
wrote:

cameraman wrote:

I planted an orchard this spring with bare root stock. I know nothing
about growning fruit, I just like to pick and eat it. What do I need
to do for the trees and when?

I did prune them back as I planted them and have seen to it that they
have plenty of water.

Now what?


This varies according to both your climate and the varieties of
fruit. Please provide additional information.

I can't help you with the apples. We don't get enough winter chill
to grow them, which is fine because I'm not really fond of apples.

Peaches and nectarines have the same cultural requirements.
Actually, a nectarine is merely a fuzzless variety of peach. They
need severe annual pruning, just before the buds begin to swell.
Your initial pruning should have removed any leader (main vertical
stem). Apricots and plums also need a lot of pruning each year but
not quite as much as peaches. Go to a large public library, and
check to see if they have books on pruning in their gardening
section.

Right after pruning, you should use a dormant spray that includes a
fungicide. All stone fruits need this. (I use a mix of dormant
oil and copper sulfate). Repeat this spraying just as the flower
buds start to show dark pink. Check with your county's
agricultural agency to see if you need to spray your trees for bark
borers (I must); if this is needed, do it right after the flower
petals fall. Other spraying might be needed to prevent insects
from damanging the fruit.

When the fruit on the peach and nectarine trees is about the size
of an almond in the shell, thin the fruit by twisting. Leave about
6 inches of branch between each fruit. What remains will grow
larger, but the pits will remain the same size. You might even get
more edible fruit than by not thinning because of the increased
amount of flesh without any increased amount of pits. Apricots
should also be thinned while still quite immature. Thinning also
prevents branches from breaking under the weight of excess fruit.
I'm not sure about thinning plums.

For feeding, I use a general lawn food just as leaves start to
sprout. However, your feeding depends on your soil type. Your
county agricultural agency can advise you about this.

To keep birds from damaging my peaches, I hang unwanted CDs from
the outer branches of my tree. I drill a small hole near the edge
of each CD and use about 6-9 inches of kite twine to hang it. The
CD moves in the breezes and flashes sunlight, scaring the birds.
Some people use foil strips.

--
David E. Ross
Climate: California Mediterranean
Sunset Zone: 21 -- interior Santa Monica Mountains with some ocean
influence (USDA 10a, very close to Sunset Zone 19)
Gardening pages at http://www.rossde.com/garden/

cameraman wrote:

I live in southeast Kentucky at about 1000' elevation. I planted
golden and red delicious and fuji apples, I also planted peaches,
necterines, apricots, and plums. I would have to look up my records
to remember which kind of those.

Thanks,
Sue

On Mon, 02 Aug 2004 17:34:49 -0700, David Ross
wrote:

cameraman wrote:

I planted an orchard this spring with bare root stock. I know nothing
about growning fruit, I just like to pick and eat it. What do I need
to do for the trees and when?

I did prune them back as I planted them and have seen to it that they
have plenty of water.

Now what?


This varies according to both your climate and the varieties of
fruit. Please provide additional information.

I can't help you with the apples. We don't get enough winter chill
to grow them, which is fine because I'm not really fond of apples.

Peaches and nectarines have the same cultural requirements.
Actually, a nectarine is merely a fuzzless variety of peach. They
need severe annual pruning, just before the buds begin to swell.
Your initial pruning should have removed any leader (main vertical
stem). Apricots and plums also need a lot of pruning each year but
not quite as much as peaches. Go to a large public library, and
check to see if they have books on pruning in their gardening
section.

Right after pruning, you should use a dormant spray that includes a
fungicide. All stone fruits need this. (I use a mix of dormant
oil and copper sulfate). Repeat this spraying just as the flower
buds start to show dark pink. Check with your county's
agricultural agency to see if you need to spray your trees for bark
borers (I must); if this is needed, do it right after the flower
petals fall. Other spraying might be needed to prevent insects
from damanging the fruit.

When the fruit on the peach and nectarine trees is about the size
of an almond in the shell, thin the fruit by twisting. Leave about
6 inches of branch between each fruit. What remains will grow
larger, but the pits will remain the same size. You might even get
more edible fruit than by not thinning because of the increased
amount of flesh without any increased amount of pits. Apricots
should also be thinned while still quite immature. Thinning also
prevents branches from breaking under the weight of excess fruit.
I'm not sure about thinning plums.

For feeding, I use a general lawn food just as leaves start to
sprout. However, your feeding depends on your soil type. Your
county agricultural agency can advise you about this.

To keep birds from damaging my peaches, I hang unwanted CDs from
the outer branches of my tree. I drill a small hole near the edge
of each CD and use about 6-9 inches of kite twine to hang it. The
CD moves in the breezes and flashes sunlight, scaring the birds.
Some people use foil strips.

--
David E. Ross
Climate: California Mediterranean
Sunset Zone: 21 -- interior Santa Monica Mountains with some ocean
influence (USDA 10a, very close to Sunset Zone 19)
Gardening pages at http://www.rossde.com/garden/