Fruit Bites May 18-20 Apple Thinning

Fruit Bites May 18-20 Apple Thinning

Bob Larson
Bob Larson
BL: Welcome back to another “Fruit Bites” brought to you by Valent U.S.A. With us again is Valent’s Allison Walston. And this week Allison, we are talking about thinning apples, again!

 

AW: Last month we discussed apple thinning in general. Now apples from the king blossom are 8 to 12mm in diameter. Another great opportunity to take some more fruit off the tree.

 

BL: and we do that with plant growth regulators?

 

AW: we sure can!

When apples are 8 to 12mm, it’s time to thin off fruit as we have temperatures above 65 degrees which help PGRs, like MaxCel, be more effective. If temperatures are above 70, combos of MaxCel and ProTone are effective and with temperatures in the 80s, ProTone alone, which is organic, can be effective at thinning. Including a NAA type of PGR at this time will help promote return bloom for next year. Also look at the cloud cover. 3 days before or after can put the tree into a carbon deficit stress and help or potentially over thin.

 

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

 

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