Good Fruit Grower

November 2012

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hardy? How cold Scientists hope to develop a cold- hardiness model for apples and cherries. by Geraldine Warner ashington State Univer- sity scientists hope to find a better way to assess cold hardiness of apple and sweet cherry buds and blooms in early spring. Crop resistance to freezing tempera- tures depends on the stage of bud develop- ment, and this makes it difficult for growers to know when to protect their orchards. Scientists at the Irrigated Agriculture Research and Extension Center in Prosser plan to develop a cold hardiness model showing the temperatures that buds will tolerate at all stages of development. Dr. Gerritt Hoogenboom, director of WSU's AgWeatherNet, is leading the three- year project funded by the Washington Tree Fruit Research Commission. Current cold hardiness data are based on research conducted more than 30 years ago and with older varieties, reports Melba Salazar-Gutierrez, research associ- ate. These data are still being used today, even for new varieties. To determine lethal temperatures for buds and flowers, the scientists are using an automated freezer sampler created by IAREC staff member John Ferguson, who also developed a cold-hardiness predic- tion model for grapes. The machine can hold small cuttings of limbs and flowers and test them overnight, which allows samples to be processed faster than in the past. The research team began last February by testing samples of Red Delicious, Gala, and Fuji apples, as well as Bing, Chelan, and Sweetheart cherries collected from WSU's Roza Research Farm and C & M Orchards in Prosser. Samples were exposed to temperatures ranging from -40° to 30°F for varying lengths of time to find out when buds and flowers die. Salazar-Gutierrez said they will continue to collect samples from orchards for two more seasons. They also will study how apple and sweet cherry buds go into dormancy. • www.goodfruit.com Buckeye® Buckeye® Gala that we have seen to date. Buckeye® develops well through the summer heat and the fruit finishes with a bright, full red color. USPP# 10,840 Additional Varieties Ambrosia™ Blondee™ Cameo® Gala: brand Chrisolyn™ Jonathan Granny Smith Jonastar™ Jonagold Pink Lady® Brand RubyMac® Snowsweet® Spartan Zestar!® Buckeye® Gala Ultima Gala® Early Fuji: Morning Mist™ Rising Sun® Braeburn: Kumeu Crimson® Mariri Red™ Brookfield® Gala (Baigent CV) From New Zealand we bring you Brookfield,® the ultimate striped Gala.The bold red stripe over its red background is the obvious improvement. The apple's early color permits proper harvest timing for best storage maturity, flavor retention, and customer satisfaction. USPP# 10,016 Willow Drive Nursery, Inc. Call Toll Free: 1-888-548-7337 3539 Road 5 NW, Ephrata, WA 98823, www.willowdrive.com GOOD FRUIT GROWER NOVEMBER 2012 33 Gala is the highest coloring Gala Gala Honeycrisp Introduced in 1991, Honeycrisp is creating quite an interest with commercial growers. The well- balanced, sub-acid flavor combined with a crisp, juicy texture make for an enjoyable eating experience. Early Robin® This early Rainier-type cherry matures 7-10 days before standard Rainier. Early Robin® should not be used. mild in flavor and medium to large in size. Early Robin® requires a pollinizer but Van USPP#13,951 is Aztec Fuji® New Zealand. It has the sweet juicy flavor, crisp texture and harvest maturity of standard Fuji. Aztec is a blush type and observations show it to be one of the highest coloring Fuji sports to date. Aztec Fuji® is a protected trademark of Waimea Variety Management Ltd. Aztec Fuji® DT2 variety is a high colored Fuji sport from Willow Drive Nursery Call Now for Availability

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