TOPIC: Running out of ginseng berries so it's more peaches

Hugh, does rain, or lack of, effect taste w/ peaches at all? Last year our Macouns in the NE were less than there best due to a dry August/September. Here we go again and it has been dry for our orchard this August so far. I was out watering all afternoon yesterday, and I'm heading out right now to get at it again.

Maya,
Dry weather is not usually a big problem for peaches if the ph factor is okay with your soil. This season was so dry and hot, early on that I did notice corking problems with my first variety of peaches. The peach loves hot weather and if it gets a small amount of rain it does fine and the starches turn to sugar producing a sweet tasting peach. When I grew apples commercially, there was always a problem with the Spur strains of Red Delicious. Corking always showed up and it blemished the outward appearance of the fruit. I sprayed Solubor to try to help and sprinkled granular boron each spring, but I still had problems. Solubor would also burn the leaves. It seemed like appearance was more important than taste at that time.

Hugh

That reminds me, need to cut some scions for leaf analysis.

Here's a couple pics of the orchard for you Hugh..........

Zestar!. Try this apple if you can find it, outstanding early apple. It will be ready here in a couple weeks.

Gala

Honey Gold

Great pictures and beautiful fruit, Maya. I wish you good luck as they ripen.

Hugh

good looking fruit...

Thanks guys, going to put some out roadside for sale this afternoon.