Cherry Orchard Management 07 2020 cover

This manual shows the orchardist, step-by-step how to develop and train the branchless multi–leader apple tree.

The branchless multi–leader apple tree is a relatively new training system in Australia and will be progressively updated.

 

Over 200 pages of information, photos and illustrations 

 

The branchless multi–leader tree is a good example of a controlled canopy with good distribution of sunlight.

This poses new challenges for orchardists. Hence, orchardists need a manual that complements our current manuals on apples.

 

What you will find in this manual

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Trees & canopy

  • The problems with branches
  • Benefits of a branchless multi-leader tree
  • Different parts of a branchless tree - fruiting units, spurs - vegetative/fruiting
  • Upright vs angled canopies
  • Number of leaders per tree
  • Rootstock choice
  • Polliniser varieties
  • Branchless four-leader tree

Pruning

  • Renewal pruning
  • 1,2,3 rule
  • Spur pruning

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Tree training

  • First year two leaders/tree - leader selection, guiding the leaders, tree support, shoot removal
  • Year 2 - remove blossom & fruit, create fruiting units, support leaders, deal with strong shoots
  • Year 3 - Create fruiting units, plucking, scoring
  • Crop load management - pruning, thinning

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Management

  • Biennial bearing
  • Watercore
  • Skin russet
  • How do apples turn red or pink?
  • Water and stress
  • Scion rooting
  • Nine fruit maturity tests

Crop protection

  • Apple replant disease (ARD) 
  • Crown gall
  • Hail net and bee activity
  • Sunburn, overhead cooling
  • Phytophthora

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Soil preparation

  • Soil test, Grading, Apply lime, gypsum, rip & cultivate, Hill up soil surface, Sow ryegrass/let weeds develop, Spray out ryegrass/weeds before planting

Nutrition

  • Calcium in the soil, tree and fruit
  • Replacing nutrient losses 
  • Nitrogen applications
  • Avoid making soil acidic
  • Soil organic matter 
 
$55.00
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