Ask the Grower

Ask the Grower

Friday, 15 January 2010 12:52

Mazzard Rootstock

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Question: I Purchased a Early Ruby cherry yesterday. The sales clerk stated it was a mazzard root stock. Is this a f12-1 seedling or some other cultivar that is bacterial canker resistant. Gary Answer: Gary, The sales clerk is correct, the Early Ruby Cherry is on Mazzard rootstock. The Mazzard rootstock (Prunus avium) we are using is the seedling, not the F.12/1. It is still the number 1 choice for fruiting (and flowering) cherries although…
Wednesday, 13 January 2010 14:39

Fuyu (Jiro) Persimmon

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Question: is a fuyu persimmons (jiro), the flat persimmons that can be eaten hard or when soft? Verena Fuyu (Jiro) Persimmon Answer: Verena, Yes the Fuyu (Jiro) is the most popular persimmon precisely for the reason that it is non-astringent and can be eaten right off the tree when it is hard. Other Non-astringent persimmons are the Fuyu (Imoto), Giant Fuyu (Gosho) and Izu. The following are also non-astringent and can be eaten when properly…
Saturday, 09 January 2010 18:59

Pruning 4-N-1 Apple Tree

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Question: I just bought and planted an LE Cooke bare root apple from my local nursery. It is a 4in1 and is about 8 feet tall and beautifully branched. It was not pruned by my nursery and they advised me not to prune any of the main graft branches but only some of the side branches. I was under the impression that I should severely prune bare root trees upon planting. How should I prune…
Saturday, 09 January 2010 13:04

4-N-1 Apple Rootstock

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Question: I bought a 4-in-1 mild climate apple (Anna, Red Fuji, Gordon, Golden Dorsett) but there is no rootstock info on tag. Can you tell what rootstock it is on?Thanks,Paul Answer: Paul, The 4-1N-1 Apples are grown on EMLA106 virus certified, semi-dwarfing apple rootstock. This rootstock produces a tree about half to two-thirds the size of a standard apple tree. It does not sucker and the rootstock is resistant to wooly aphid. EMLA 106 has…
Monday, 11 January 2010 08:13

What Are Chill Hours?

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Question: What are "Chill Hours" on peach trees and what do you look for? I live in Delta, Colorado and we currently have peach trees and we are looking to increase our orchard by 4 or 5 dozen trees with some mid August to late August ripening. Which would you recommend? Darla Answer: Chill hours - It is not really funny, but as I was starting to answer this, the whole mid and eastern section…
Sunday, 03 January 2010 22:41

Fig Questions

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Question: I have 2 questions:1. what is the difference between brown turkey fig and improved brown turkey fig?2. what is the difference between kadota fig and janice kadota fig? Richard Answer: Richard, 1. We grow the "unimproved" Brown Turkey Fig which has been a popular, proven, tasty "heirloom" variety for hundreds of years and across a wide range of countries and climates. Brown Turkey Fig I believe the "Improved" Brown Turkey Fig you mention is…
Monday, 21 December 2009 16:41

Grape Rootstock Question

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Question: please tell me if your bare root and canned grape vines are grafted onto special rootstock or on their own roots?thanks,Ken Answer: Ken, we primarily grow for the homeowner market and not the commercial vineyards. The commercial orchards pay careful attention to soil profiles, disease and pest issues and high productivity for their location. Thus the added cost that more than doubles the grapevine price is worth it. The homeowner on the other hand…
Saturday, 12 December 2009 13:56

Black Fruiting Mulberries for Cold Climates

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Question: I live in Syracuse New York- the middle of the state, zone 5, heavy clay soil. I would like to grow Black Mulberries for the fruit. What is your thinking in terms of the black varieties you offer for my locale?Regards, Jim Answer: Jim, It seems the popularity of fruiting mulberries continues to grow every year, and rightly so. The fruit can be delicious. What is a favorite food for people of Middle Eastern…
Tuesday, 08 December 2009 19:10

Un-Fruiting Pomegranate

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Question: Hello, I planted an Angel Red pomegranate last spring. Now the leaves have all yellowed, dropped and there's still no fruit. We're in the San Gabriel valley, LA county.Please advise. Janie Answer: Hi Janie, We started this nursery in San Gabriel back in 1944 and I spent my childhood there in the 50's & 60's so have fond memories of your area. We moved the nursery to Visalia in 1965-66. I think you are…
Monday, 23 November 2009 14:11

Almonds for Tennessee

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Question: What are your recommendations for an almond tree that produces nuts in the Knoxville, TN area? The UT Extension does not recommend. I heard the tree would grow but not produce nuts in my area. Answer: Your University of Tennessee Extension is basically correct. Almonds bloom early in the spring - so early that the typical Tennessee late frosts wipe out most of the blooms or juvenile fruits. Tennessee seems to get some nice…
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