HORTICULTURE 2007 MASS Aggie Seminar Win Cowgill, Rutgers Coop. Extension

Massachusetts peach production Peaches 380 acres 2.0 million lbs ($0.75) $1.5 million Apples 4,100 acres 28.5 million lbs ($0.38) $10 million

MA is on the very northern edge of peach growing country Most Important Issues Flower Bud Hardiness Tree Hardiness Bacterial and fungal cankers Peach tree borers

Back to Basics Location-only best orchard sites Frost free site-know past weather history North facing - delay bloom Well drained fertile soils

N

More Basics Plan two years ahead Soil tests Adjust pH and nutrients Nematode assays? Add soil organic matter Control perennial weeds Order trees

Type of Tree To Order Smaller caliper Weak tree Low buds

Pay Attention to Proper Establishment Correct pH and NutrientsCorrect pH and Nutrients Establish Raised bedsEstablish Raised beds Establish sod middles and herbicide strips the fall beforeEstablish sod middles and herbicide strips the fall before

Root Distribution Stops at Turf Weed Free Herbicide Strip

Soil Preparation Subsoil Prior to planting Clay Pot Effect From Auger - (fall) Break sides before planting

Planting Depth& Lime Correct planting depth Leave graft union 2” above Two or more pounds of calcium lime in backfill

Cultivar Selection Select only bud hardy cultivars-most California cultivars are not hardy enough Bud vs. wood hardiness Unique Cultivars white flesh-non melting flesh Donut Peaches

Avoid Winter Injury Southwest injury Peach borers Cytostopora canker Paint trunks white Exterior White Latex Paint 2 to 1 water Low acrylic content

Cytospora Canker Most Serious Problem in the North East Prune at bud-break in April if possible Paint Pruning cuts on scaffolds Use tree paint with benomyl

Peach Planting Systems Higher Density 10 x 18

Y or V

Central Leader

Open vase Open vase training 20 X 20 or 25 feet Dormant and summer Pruning Herbicide strip Sod middles Trickle or drip

Maintain tree height at 8 feet

Pencil thick fruiting shoots

Peach Fertility Soil and tissue tests Split applications of nitrogen 1st app. in a complete fertilizer 3-4 weeks prior to bud break to supply 1/2 total seasonal N requirement 2nd app. at shuck split If frozen out eliminate 2nd app. Do not over-apply nitrogen Do not apply N After June 15

Peach Thinning Large Size is Essential Thin Early-consider bloom thinning Wiffle bat, toilet brush, fan belt on broom handle At least 6-8” between peaches -- at least!

Sweet Cherry Dwarfing Rootstocks-Gisela Concerns- 1.Cracking-rain-covers 2.Birds-netting 3.Bacterial Canker

Sweet Cherry Gisela Rootstocks Hartland/G6 Heidlefingen/G5

Bacterial Canker Bordeaux sprays Summer prune only Stub prune Resistant cultivars

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