Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/314286
www.goodfruit.com GOOD FRUIT GROWER JUNE 2014 33 The next larger group of tree vigor/canopy volume than M.9 is termed "M.26 class." In Washington, M.26 has typically not been larger than the vigorous M.9 clones (M.9 EMLA, M.9 Nic 29, or Pajam 2). In replant sites, M.26 often fails to fill its allotted space unless aggressive preplant practices such as fumigation and deep ripping of the soil are employed. Malling 26 does not fill canopy volume as consistently as M.9, nor does it yield as well as M.9 or crop as regularly as M.9. The M.26-class Geneva root- stocks have crop density similar to or better than M.9 or Mark. Reports from eastern U.S. trials tend to overestimate Geneva rootstock vigor/ canopy volume potential for the arid conditions of Washington. Several of the Geneva rootstocks grow very vig- orously as nonbearing trees, but lose vegetative vigor as cropping intensifies. G.214, G.935, and G.210 are reported by Cornell University website (http://bit.ly/1kyosm6) as approaching, equal, or larger than M.26 in vigor. In Washington, these Geneva rootstocks are comparable to large M.9 in fumigated or new-to- perennial-crop sites. G.890 and G.30 are rated by Cornell as M.7 or larger, but in trials conducted by the Washington Tree Fruit Research Com- mission, they are M.26-class rootstocks in canopy volume with much better precocity. • ROOTSTOCK opportunities G eneva apple rootstocks are demon- strating the ability to increase reli- ability of growth in new orchards. This trait can change the perspective of performance and give growers the oppor- tunity to adopt different production sys- tems and use different nursery products. The current general practice for orchard establishment is to plant a feath- ered tree with at least five small-caliper branches well distributed around the trunk. Often the best performing of these trees are 1/2-inch caliper due to reduced transplant shock and fewer broken graft unions. The replant-tolerant Geneva root- stocks (G.41, G.214, G.935, G.210, G.30, and G.890) have the ability to grow vig- orously and establish a very produc- tive canopy from a whip or unbranched tree when planted. A trial with Fuji at a Vantage, Washington, orchard demon- strated the growth and productivity of these rootstocks when bench-grafted and planted in place in the orchard. The increasing reliability of high- performing rootstocks reduces the risks of trying smaller and more delicate plant mate- rials when establishing new orchards, especially in replant sites. In California, several nurseries are growing containerized plants for grapes, citrus, stone fruits, and almonds. The plants are initiated in a tissue culture lab and budded in the greenhouse. One of the big advantages to growers is not losing a significant portion of the roots when they are dug up for transplanting in the orchard. One of the logistical or pro- duction issues is learning how to handle plants that are leafed and growing when planting the orchard, compared to the traditional dormant tree. Some Hood River, Oregon, growers are using con- tainerized nursery stock to establish new pear blocks with dramatic improvement of consistency and quantity of first-year growth. When contemplating two-leader trees, the idea of using a one-year nursery-grown bench graft on a replant-disease-resistant Geneva root- stock that is a 7/16- to 1/2-inch whip is very interesting. The timeline of decid- ing which scion to place on the rootstock becomes much shorter. The ability to better manage the canopy into the form needed for the production system is eas- ier. The tree price in addition to the ship- ping, handling, and planting logistics are much more favorable than with 3/4-inch trees. —T. Auvil 1615 W. Ahtanum • Yakima, WA 98903 • 509-248-8785, ext. 612 For the representative nearest you, visit our Web site: www.orchard-rite.com Get the Orchard-Rite® story from your nearest representative: A s the operations manager for Pride Packing, I am responsible for managing 2,800 acres of orchard under 260 wind machines. Of that, approximately 1,000 acres are in stone fruit with the remaining acreage in apples and pears. From November to February, we can deal with arctic events that will take our temperature into the single digits—and even subzero. I really don't think it's possible to grow stone fruit economically in the Yakima Valley without wind machines. This last year, we would not have even had an apricot crop without them. All of our wind machine purchases since 1982 have been Orchard-Rite. In the wintertime, when we're starting these machines, the temperatures are usually single digits to subzero. We depend on—and have complete confidence in—our Orchard-Rite ® Wind Machines and the service we receive. We still have the first Orchard-Rite ® Wind Machine we ever bought! We're real believers in the Auto Start option. We order Auto Start on all our new machines. To date, we've retrofitted about 50% of our old machines, and plan to put the Auto Start on the remaining machines. Steve Nunley, Farming Operations Manager Pride Packing, Wapato, Washington "Orchard Rite Service is second to none." Orchard-Rite® Wind Machines • www.orchard-rite.com "We're real believers in the Auto Start option." Steve Nunley Good, better, best (Continued from page 31) Headed whips are being planted in a rootstock trial at Wapato, Washington. PHOTO COURTESY OF TOM AUVIL