Fruit Bites for April 22nd Apple Thinning

BL: Welcome back to another “Fruit Bites” brought to you by Valent U.S.A. And with us again is Valent’s Allison Walston. And this week Allison, sounds like it’s time for early season apple thinning!

AW: Apple thinning is important to prevent alternate bearing, meaning heavy crop loads one year followed by a light crop load the next. There are certain windows of opportunity to thin apples and achieve a target number of fruit per tree. Bloom, petal fall and when king fruit get to 8-12 mm. The overall strategy is to take a nibble approach at each timing.

BL: So, what happens after fruit gets past 12mm?

AW: currently there aren’t many effective products, but one is on the way!

BL: And, thinning is only for crop load management?

AW: Well there are other aspects to consider within that, like being able to thin apples more cost effectively or in case

hand-thinning labor isn’t available. Also, thinning helps to increase the size of the apple.

BL: More good stuff, thanks Allison. Join us again next time for Fruit Bites, brought to you by Valent. Until then, I’m Bob Larson.