home fruit gardening 101 - nc state universityces.ncsu.edu/files/library/71/fruit 101pt1.pdf ·...
TRANSCRIPT
We will discuss:
Fruits that can realistically be grown in SE NC– Some are more challenging than others– Which can be grown organically
Basics– Things you need to know before
attempting to grow fruit
Specifics– For different fruit types
What Are the Possibilities?
Tree Fruit Figs (E)* Asian Persimmon (E/M)* Pears & Asian Pears (M)* Plums (M) Apples (M/D) Peaches (D) Nectarines (D)
Grapes and Berries Blueberries (E)* Blackberries (E)* Muscadines (E/M)* Strawberries (M)
E = Easy, M = Moderate, D = Difficult
* = Best choices for organic production
What Will Not Work?
Apricots Cherries Grapes - except muscadine Citrus - except in containers
– Mandarin (Satsuma & Tangerines) and Kumquats are hardiest but still need winter protection here
Bananas – Would have to protect stem through
winter to get fruit
Worth a try??
Raspberries - will be short lived
Kiwifruit – often experience cold damage– Vigorous vines, need
male and female
Pomegranate – set few fruit in SE
Fruit Growing Basics:Site Selection
To do well all fruit bearing plants need:
Good Drainage!!! Full Sun!!! Correct pH
– Blueberries – acid 4.5 - 5.8– Strawberries – 5.5 – 6.5– Others 6.0 – 6.5
Fruit Growing Basics:Soil Testing
FREE service from NC Dept. of Agriculture Boxes and forms available from any
Extension Office Take samples from potential area
– To 8” deep, take multiple samples, mix together
Test at least 4-6 months before planting– Add dolomitic lime to raise pH– Add wettable sulphur to lower pH
Drop of at any Extension Office, results posted online in 2-8 weeks
Fruit Growing Basics:Varieties and Chilling Hours
Chilling Hours– Number of hours of chilling (between 32
- 45 F) needed to develop flower buds and leaf buds
SE Coastal NC: 600 – 800 hours
Choose varieties appropriately– Choosing varieties adapted to our
area one of the most important factors for success!
Fruit Growing Basics:Varieties For many fruits, plant more
than one named variety to extend harvest season– Blueberries, blackberries,
muscadines, peaches– Early, mid, and late season
bearing varieties available
Fruits are pollinated by honeybees and other pollinators
Many pollinators, especially honeybees, are very susceptible to most insecticides
Never apply insecticides when fruit trees are in full bloom
Fruit Growing Basics:Pollination
Fruit Growing Basics:Pollination
Need Cross Pollination* Apples and Pears Plums Muscadines Blueberries
Self Fruitful Peaches and
Nectarines Strawberries Blackberries Figs Asian Persimmon
* Some varieties may be self fruitful though higher yields result from cross pollination
Fruit Growing Basics:Nutrients and Water Soil Test Before Planting!!!
– Incorporate lime, phosphorous, potassium
– Test each year to monitor levels– Add nitrogen according to crop needs
Follow recommendations for amount and timing specific to each crop
Regular watering essential for high yield, ~ 1” per week during growing season
Fruit Growing Basics:Training and Pruning Essential for health and productivity Training = establishment of initial
framework during first 3-5 years Pruning = annual pruning to maintain
shape Pruning needs vary with species
– Strawberries = none!– Figs, blueberries, blackberries = little– Pears, plums = moderate– Apples, peaches,
muscadines = A lot!
Fruit Growing Basics:Support Structures Some fruits need support structures:
– Muscadines– Blackberries– Kiwifruit
Construct adequate structure before planting
Fruit Growing Basics:Pest Control
Choose disease resistant varieties whenever available
Provide optimum growing conditions –Water and nutrients, soil pH
Correct site selection (sun, good drainage) –also want good air circulation
Control Weeds – harbor insects, compete for water and nutrients– Mulch– Herbicides or hand weed
Apple-Cedar Rust
Fruit Growing Basics:Pest Control Prune for good light and air penetration Sanitation!!!
– Collect and destroy diseases leaves, stems, fruit– Always remove ‘mummies’– Keep ripe fruit picked
Fruit Growing Basics:Pest Control
Pesticide applications essential for most crops for reliable production
Pests includes birds and mammals Research what pests to expect and
when and how to treat Most feasible for organic growing:
– Figs– Blueberries (if correct soil)– Muscadine Grapes– Blackberries– Pears (fire blight resistant varieties)– Persimmon
Plum Curculio
Fruit Growing Basics:Pest Control
Spray schedules usually necessary for apples, peaches/nectarines, and plums
Timing based on development stage– Most begin at petal fall (or earlier)
and continue every few weeks to harvest
Follow all label directions when applying any pesticide (organic or synthetic)
Codling Moth larvae – Adult moths lay eggs in small developing fruits
Fruit Growing Basics:Pest Control Pesticides available to homeowners to
manage fruit pests (*=organic)– Insects: Malathion, Permethrin, Esfenvalerate,
Spinosid*, Horticultural Oil*, Carbaryl (Sevin), Neem*, Pyrethrin*
– Diseases: Captan, Myclobutanil (Immunox), Copper*, Sulfur*, Mancozeb, Thiophanatemethyl, Daconil, Bacillus subtillis (Serenade)*, Kaolin Clay (Surround)*
Individual products vary greatly in their effectiveness to control different problems