Editorial / 1
Forthcoming Events / 2
Recent Events / 2
SLOG Orchard Update / 3
Plagues & Pestilence / 4
New Apple Variety:Rubens / 5
A Beginners Guide / 6
Orchard Profile: Lakeside Hotel / 9
Fruit from other countries:Italy / 10
Apple (Mis?)identities / 11
Apple Ties &Tree Guard sale / 12
SLOG discount at R.V.Roger / 12
Editorial
The weather in SouthLakes has been reasonably kind so far this year – only 13” of rain for the four months to end of April, well below average. The warm March brought growth forward rather too quickly but a cooler April brought things back to normal pace. The only apparent damage done was to raspberries where tender young growth was damaged by strong cold winds in April.
”Scrumptious”apple blossom in theearly May evening sun
The apple blossom out now is again a wonderful sight – did you know that an acre of mature apple orchard in full bloom contains a million flowers?Yet only one in thirty needs to set fruit to provide a good crop – which is just as well since the optimum “pollination window” for each flower is only about 16 hours and at least ten grains of fertile pollen are required whilst 90% of pollen is infertile. The trees then needabout 600 tons of water per acre during the growing season – which in turn is provided by just 6” of rainfall: not normally a problem for us here in Cumbria even when the rest of the country is suffering a drought!
A sign of SLOG’s growing reputation in Cumbrian fruitgrowing came earlier this year when SLOG was invited bythe Lowther Castle & Gardens Trust(nr Penrith) to provide advice on the replanting of a centuries old orchard. Records show the existence of an orchard immediately to the west of the Castle since the 17th Century. The orchard was abandoned about seventy years ago and replaced by a conifer plantation, which has now been felled and the site cleared for replanting as a traditional orchard from winter 2012/13 onwards. We are co-operating with NCOG on this project since they have expertise in searching archives (located in Carlisle) to attempt to determine what varieties were grown there so that the replanting can reproduce that of a selected period in Lowther’s history. For more information on the restoration of LowtherCastle and its 130 acres of gardens, see the website
Whilst mentioning our sister organisation NCOG (North Cumbrian Orchard Group), don’t forget that we have reciprocal membership arrangements, so SLOG members may attend any NCOG event. For information on NCOG, see
SLOG welcomes a new Committee member, Justin Wood, who has written the “Beginner’s Guide” article on page 6 to introduce himself and illustrate his journey of pomological self education in the hope that it may be of use to others.
FORTHCOMING EVENTS
For the most up-to-date information look in:
Saturday May 26th and Sunday May 27th CountryFest, at the Westmorland Showground, Crooklands, Kendal.
The SLOGstandwill be in the Grow Your Own area. For more information go to:Directions: From M6 jnctn36, take Kirkby Lonsdale exit to next rdbt thenfirst left onto A65 for approx ½ mile, turn left onto B6385 over canal, showfield onrt
Sunday 17th June 11am – 4.30pm Growing Well Open Day, Sizergh (provisional)Directions: From M6 jnctn 36 go 4 miles on A591 towards Kendal, then A590 Barrow, then shortly on right follow brown signs for Sizergh Castle, then Low Sizergh Barn. From Kendal go 3½ miles south on the A591 then just before the A590 interchangeturn left into the car park at Low Sizergh Barn Farm Shop and Tearooms. Park at the far end of the car park and walk over the fields.
Summer Orchard Visit, date to be advised (possibly a Saturday in June) We hope to visit the orchard at the Merz Barn & Cylinders Estate, Elterwater, on a joint visit with NCOG
Sun 8th July 11am – 4.30pm Self Sufficiency at Sizergh The second year of this National Trust event, entry should be free to National Trust membersDirections: From M6 jnctn 36 go 4 miles on A591 towards Kendal, then A590 Barrow, then first right, following brown signs
Tues July 24th7.30pm – SLOG AGM at Levens Institute This is your chance toair your views on what SLOG should or should not be doing and help shape our future strategy. We plan to run a members fruit show, so save your best berries, currants, cherries etc.Directions: From M6 jnctn 36 go 4 miles on A591 towards Kendal, then A590 Barrow, then after 2 miles turn right signposted Levens. Go to centre of village, Institute is on crossroads across from Methodist Chapel. No car park so park on roads nearby.
Wednesday 1st August – Cartmel Show We hope to be attending this friendly country show again. More details on website when we have had the go-ahead.
Saturday August 11th 2- 4pm – Budding & Summer Pruning Workshop, Growing Well, Sizergh Learn the skill of budding which nurseries prefer over grafting, and if your bud does not take, you can still graft onto the rootstock next spring which means you get two chances of success instead of one! Also develop your summer pruning skills on the Growing Well collection of over 200 cordons. Directions: From M6 jnctn 36 go 4 miles on A591 towards Kendal, then A590 Barrow, then shortly on right follow brown signs for Sizergh Castle, then Low Sizergh Barn. From Kendal go 3½ miles south on the A591 then just before the A590 interchangeturn left into the car park at Low Sizergh Barn Farm Shop and Tearooms. Park at the far end of the car park and walk over the fields.Admission: Free to SLOG members. There will be a charge for the rootstock.
RECENT EVENTS
PRUNING WORKSHOPSaturday 18thFebruary, Hawkshead
A new location and a new challenge! Over twenty members gathered on a cold February afternoon at a new venue, Hawkshead Hill. The orchard is at 550’ and consists of about twenty 25yr old half-standard trees. Their basic framework is good, but pruning had been somewhat neglected in recent years. Consequently the job was mostly maintenance pruning with a little restorative work to open the centres. The major disease problem was canker which varied according to variety. Rosemary Russet was one of the worst affected, also the Bramleys, yet their vigour enabled them to continue producing plenty of new growth. Other varieties are Sunset, Laxtons Superb & Fortune, Tydemans Late Orange, Crawley Beauty, Grenadier & Monarch. Fortunately the sun came out so we could see the canker; it is much more difficult to see on a cloudy day or in dull light. After discussing the theory of pruning and the different methods according to tree age, state and desired form, we split up and practised on the trees. Although time and temperature (and the speed limitations of ladderwork) did not permit us to complete the job, good progress was made. Thanks to John & Judith Gunner for allowing us to practice on their trees and for a warming cup of tea afterwards.
GRAFTING WORKSHOP Saturday 17thMarch, Growing Well
About 25 members gathered in the yurts at Growing Well to learn and practice the ancient art of grafting apple trees. Andy gave a demonstration and then members set about grafting using scion wood from a wide selection of varieties onto MM106 or MM111 rootstocks. The surplus rootstocks were subsequently taken to Witherslack the following week where committee members grafted about 60 which were potted up for growing on in Adele’s glasshouse ready for sale later in the year.
A group of Cumbrian varieties grafted onto MM106 for planting out as cordons in the SLOG orchard this winter
If you were able to grow on your grafts in a glasshouse or polytunnel, you can tell by the end of April whether they had taken or not. If kept outdoors, the take may not be definite until the end of May. Once the extension growth starts to grow, put a cane in the pot and tie in the growth as it develops. Carefully remove the grafting tape in June or July but keep the young trees in a sheltered position until planting out from November onwards.
DAMSON DAY Saturday 14thApril, Lyth Valley
The timing of Damson Day was spot on this year with the damsons in full bloom. The weather was rather cool which may have accounted for an apparent reduction in numbers attending compared to last year. Nevertheless those there enjoyed Bob’s cider and much interest was shown in the large press, which we are promoting harder this year. There was also a steady sale in recipe books, notecards and trees.
Jenny, Dennis, Mike & Ros set up the SLOG stand
More damson info on the WDA website:
SLOG ORCHARD UPDATE
After January and February’s rain, freeze and snow, the weather finally relented and the first working party of the year got underway on Saturday 25th February.Adam Rubenstein and Mick Gander erected the posts for the first row of cordons, and then planted fifteen apple trees (list opposite).Karen Bentley planted seven apple rootstocks to start a nursery bed, and fourteen quince rootstocks to grow on for grafting next year.Hugh Connor wielded his chainsaw to cut up the big branches of the felled willow tree.Rob Clarke, and Alan Rix and family broke up the smaller branchesand burnt them on a bonfire (after Alan found some matches, the only item we forgot to bring).There is an underground stream running below the site with a couple of inspection hatches. One was in poor condition atrisk of collapse so Mick expertly rebuilt it.After two and a half hours of hard work we broke for a well-earned lunch around the bonfire.When everything was burnt the last activity was to spread 75kg of hydrated lime to raise the soil pH from 6.1 to a little closer to the desired 6.5 ideal figure for apples.As a result the site was unmistakeable, looking as if it alone had suffered a recent snowfall.
Line of cordons running from south to north, smaller trees at south, bigger ones at north to optimise sunlight interception
The first row of cordons consist of modern varieties,among which we are evaluating varieties with the scab-resistant Vf gene, and three pairs of varieties where we are evaluating the new M116 rootstock against the well-known and reliable MM106 rootstock, and also a few other new varieties to determine their suitability for Cumbrian conditions.The full list can be found on the SLOG website at:
A second working party on the 5th May saw Adam, Andy & Justin erect a second set of posts & wires; and plant the first five of what will be a row of about twenty Cumbrian varieties. Adam and Justin planting the Cumbrian variety row
The orchard is on the Underley Road Allottments, situated between Underley Road & Hallgarth Circlejust east of Windermere Road, shown on the map below:
The easiest parking is on Hallgarth Close (southern edge of Hallgarth Circle) then walk through lane due south past sheds, up path into allottments and along to numbers 4, 7 & 10.
The south entrance is off Underley Road but parking is more difficult there. However if you can park there, a narrow green lane leads directly to numbers 4, 7 & 10.
“PLAGUES & PESTILENCE”APHID ALERT!
Soon after petal fall on any top fruit species you may seeaphids. Commonly known as greenfly or blackfly, there are in fact numerous different species of aphid, but all with one thing in common – they are sap-sucking pests capable of reducing the growth and vigour of your fruit trees. They range in colour from green through yellow, white, pink and grey to black and vary in size from 1 – 7mm long.
Rosy apple aphid damage (courtesy Agriculture Canada)
Their feeding causes distorted growth and they excrete a sticky sugary substance called honeydew which attracts the growth of sooty moulds. Some aphid species transmit viruses, but this is only a problem on strawberries and raspberries, not on top fruit. If you see ants running up and down tree branches, this is an indicator of an aphid infestation as the ants love honeydew. The infestations tend to start on the undersides of the youngest foliage at the tips of shoots. The most damaging species are Rosy-apple aphid (Dysaphis plantaginea) on apples & pears, Plum leaf-curling aphid (Brachycaudus helichrysi)and Mealy plum aphid (Hyalopterus pruni) on plums, gages & damsons,and Cherry blackfly (Myzus cerasi) on cherries.
Cherry blackfly damage (courtesy RHS)
Infestations of all species develop quickly, especially in warm temperatures in early summer because the aphids reproduce asexually and viviparously, meaning they don’t need to waste time finding mates and laying eggs. However, the fruit grower has some allies: ladybirds, lacewing larvae, hoverfly larvae and parasitic wasps are all predators of aphids. The difficulty is that the aphids breed faster than the predators, so the predators are unable to keep pace with the developing infestation. If you are able to keep a close watch on your trees you can reduce early infestations by simply rubbing them out with finger and thumb. This of course is only possible on young trees or on trees on dwarfing rootstocks. There are many aphicides on the market, however care is needed to avoid damaging the beneficial insects mentioned above. If an infestation is detected early enough it is possible to apply a carefully targeted localised spray, to infested shoot tips only, because the aphids are relatively immobile whereas beneficial insects are highly mobile and will run away and survive. The other way to control aphids is to apply a winter wash of tar oil or similar in order to break the life cycle by killing the overwintering eggs. An aphid with a difference is the woolly aphid (Eriosoma lanigerum) which sucks sap from the woody stem & branches of apple rather than from the foliage. It forms colonies which protect themselves by secreting a fluffy white waxy material. These colonies can be reduced by scrubbing with a stiff-bristled brush plus soapy water or an organic solvent when first seen in spring and early summer, and/or controlled with synthetic pyrethroid insecticides formulated to penetrate the protective wax. The key to control of all aphid species is vigilance, especially in warm weather when reproduction and therefore infestation development speeds up.
NEWAPPLE VARIETY REVIEW :RUBENS
Rubens, a new red dessert apple, was developed in Ferrara, Italy by Consorzio Italiano Vivaisti by crossing Gala and Elstar in 1988. Rubens has again taken the title of Britain's Tastiest Apple, taking first, second and third places at the National Fruit Show.
Beating off competition from 150 other entries, victory was particularly sweet for Nigel Bardsley of River Farm, Staplehurst, who was responsible for introducing the Italian-bred variety to the UK and also chairs the Mid Kent Growers collective.
The second and third places went to fellow Mid Kent Growers member Simon Mount and independent grower Clive Goatham.
Rubens made up five of the nine finalists, which were judged on shape, appearance, colour and taste by a panel of judges including English Apples & Pears chief executive Adrian Barlow.
The variety is exclusively licensed in the UK by marketing company Norman Collett. Commercial director Michael Joyles said: "It will have a positive effect on sales of Rubens. We have put quite a bit of marketing behind it, including giveaways and the launch of a website,
Breakdown of 2008 production (6,000t) by country
Rubens was trialled in Kent in 2007. "So far we have 13 growers with around 200,000 trees, and there are a further 60,000 trees to be planted in winter 2011/12," said Joyles.
"2011 was its first commercial season and supermarket sales have been very good."
He added: "This comes at a time when interest in British-grown is on the rise. Rubens is grown in several European countries, but is actually better suited to the British climate.
"It also has very good storing, giving it a long season from October to April. And unlike Gala or Cox, it doesn't oxidise when you cut it, making it good for the processing market too."
"Rubens does best in a damper, colder climate, and English fruit has already been shown to have the best colour in Europe, and an overall quality which can match any other country," saysDr Michaelangelo Leis of Vivai Mazzoni, which is one of the three breeders which make up CIV, alongside Salvi Vivai and Tagliana Vivai.(With acknowledgement to Horticulture Week)
If so, could it do even better in our damp, cold Cumbrian climate? It may be a long time before we can find out because the trees and scion wood are carefully controlled and not made generally available. Sadly, this is the way of all new varieties in their early years while the intellectual property holders earn a return on their investment.
A BEGINNER’SGUIDE to Information Sources on Orchards, Apples & Fruit Trees
by new SLOG Committee member Justin Wood
Reflections
Back in early 2010, one newcomer to orchards and apples, made his slow way down the Sizergh Farm fields, for the first time, towards the Growing Well yurts. Learning that day, during the annual orchard group training workshop, to graft a very first apple tree by hand, this now to be SLOGger found himself bereft of £8 and a fully signed up new member of the South Lakeland Orchard Group. Whilst having heard the terms ‘grafting’, ‘bare rootstock’, even ‘orchard’, what each necessarily actually meant, and how you ‘did it’, was somewhat new to me. So too were the range of apple and fruit varieties traditional to Westmorland and North Lancashire, those that best suited our temperate North West climate, or the fascinating diversity and evocatively named varieties of apple found nationwide. Two years on, now clearly infected with the apple bug, having grafted somewhat over 200 apple rootstock(90% of which have successfully taken, or show signs of growth this Spring 2012), this SLOG orchard-apple-fruit newcomer perhaps now knows a little more, though, I suspect, still only a very little bit more about orchards. It has been described to me how fruit and orchards ‘seem to take on a life of their own, and take you in strange directions, all pleasurable ...’ In considering how to set off on such a personal orchard adventure, and lifelong journey, how can you begin to learn, in our new ‘Information Age’, about any new area of interest (let alone orchards) and to learn fast?