Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/751050
www.goodfruit.com GOOD FRUIT GROWER DECEMBER 2016 55 W hen new apple varieties were starting to hit the market, Zirkle Fruit knew it wanted something all its own that was local and unique. The company decided on Lady Alice, a chance seedling from a nearby grower's orchard that was eventually named after Bill's mother, Alice. Its growing tech- nique is something "right out of the '50s," Mark Zirkle said: a precocious yet consistent producer that has had never shown problems with cropping, and it car- ries a sweetness that develops quickly, just prior to picking. "It's a challenging apple, not so much to grow but to harvest, because it's picking window is literally hours — four times in the month of September," he said. Zirkle said it's also probably the most light-sen- sitive variety he's ever seen. For that reason, Lady Alice has been planted on Tatura with Extenday, and he's not afraid to plant it on a south or south- east slope for added sunlight. to Geneva rootstocks, though like many growers, they can't get them fast enough. However, the hope is that the Geneva rootstocks will eliminate disease concerns, such as fire blight, which poses particular problems in their organic blocks. Almost 50 percent of Zirkle's tree fruit is in organic production, and all of its blueberries are either organic or transitioning to organic. Blueberries were an area of expansion that was first proposed by Mark's brother, Lester, who is also an owner of Zirkle Fruit while manag- ing his own farm. On the wine side, about two-thirds of what Zirkle's Four Feathers Winery crushes is sold under contract to the larger wineries in the state. The winery operates very much as a separate business entity and doesn't currently sell anything in the bottle. If and when it does, that would be another business endeavor that will have to be pur- sued by someone else, Mark said. "If my daughters want to go to the glass, that's a whole other, complicated endeavor," he said. "That's another chapter that's not going to be written by me." • INTRODUCING • 75% packout of Washington Extra Fancy Premium over 2 years • Larger than Buckeye Gala by a box size • Full red color throughout the tree allows for one pick • Highly managed budwood supply Wildfire ™ Gala RKD cv, PPAF 21 Days Early. Full Color. Wildfire@HeliosNursery.com Tye Fleming 509-787-7777 10500 Brentwood Blvd., Brentwood, CA 94513 800.634.1671 or 925.634.2191 (Alison Clegg or Richard Chavez) 877.457.6901 (Henry Sanguinetti) Fax 925.634.6040 www.protreenursery.com It's all around us — from the best varieties to the highest quality rootstocks. With almost 40 years of experience, at ProTree Nursery, LLC, we grow some of the heartiest trees you can buy. As one of the leading suppliers of apple and cherry trees to orchard growers, our customers have come to depend on our quality. You can too. For a price quote or to inquire about specific varieties, call ProTree Nursery, LLC today. • Banning Red Fuji (USPP 16,624 P2) • Beni Shogun (USPP 7997) • Blondee ™ (USPP 19,007 McLaughlin cv) • Brookfield ® Gala (USPP 10,016) • Buckeye ® Gala (USPP 10,840) • Chrisolyn ® (USPP 21,300) • Crimson Gold Crab • Dandee Red ® (USPP 16,620) • Frettingham Crab • Golden Delicious • Rising Sun Fuji ® • RubyJon ® (USPP 10,115) • RubyMac ® (USPP applied for) • Schlect Spur Delicious ™ • September Wonder ™ Fuji (USPP 11,193) • Simpson Crab • Snowdrift Crab • Torres Fuji ™ (USPP applied for) • Ultima ™ Gala (USPP 13,753 P2) • Zestar! ™ (USPP 11,367) • Benton ™ • Bing • Black Tart • BlackPearl ® • Brooks ™ • BurgundyPearl ® • Rainier • Selah ™ • Skeena ™ • Sweetheart ™ • Tulare ™ • Vans Available on Colt, Gisela ® , Krymsk ® , Mahaleb, or Mazzard.* *Not all varieties are available on all rootstocks. Call for specific grafting information. APPLES CHERRIES • Granny Smith • Hilwell Braeburn (USPP 7526) • Honeycrisp ™ (USPP 7197) • Indian Summer Crab • Joburn ™ Braeburn (USPP 11,992) • JonaStar JonaGold ™ (USPP 20,590) • LindaMac ® (USPP 12,900) • Manchurian Crab • Midnight Red Spur ™ (serial 74/458,730) • Pacific Gala ® (USPP 9681) • Pearleaf Crab • Chelan ™ • Coral Champagne • Cristalina ™ • EbonyPearl ® • Lapins • RadiancePearl ® These apple varieties are available on B-10, B-118, EMLA-7, EMLA-26, EMLA-106, EMLA-111, G-11, G-16, G-30, M-9 337T, NIC ® -29, or Supporter 4. Surround yourself with Quality FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT A LICENSED NURSERY LISTED BELOW: Tree Connection 800-421-4001 • ProTree Nursery 800-572-1553 Helios Nursery 509-787-7777 • Cameron Nursery 509-266-4669 Sierra Gold Nursery 800-243-4653 • Mike & Brian's Nursery 509-952-6593 Gold Star Nursery 509-877-6000 • Foxtrot Apples, LLC/Rob Wyles 509-949-9570 U.S. Plant Patent No. 25664 Gold Star Nursery