Tag Archives: Winter Banana

2015 Orchard Season in Review

The 2015 orchard season started with a fairly good spring followed by an abnormally wet early summer, then had an extended dry spell as autumn progressed. Insect and disease pressure was moderate and reasonably controlled by occasional spraying. European Apple … Continue reading

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Goodbye to the Winter Banana

Today was the end for my experience growing Winter Banana apples. The tree itself had recovered from the root washout of several years ago and was growing well despite a bit of a lean, but once again this year there … Continue reading

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Of pruning and migrations

Today was dormant orchard pruning day at Rurikia. With over 20 trees it is usually better approached as an off and on activity a tree or two at a time over a few weeks as winter winds down, with each … Continue reading

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2014 mid-season orchyard report

For the first time in several years the orchyard entered July with plenty of water. The trees and vines are green, the grass is green, and the garden is green (perhaps slightly too green thanks to rampant weed growth!). Unfortunately … Continue reading

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July 2010 apple tree scab and fireblight survey

In early July 2010 I noticed some fireblight and spent an afternoon surveying the orchard for general condition of the trees and paid particular attention to the level of scab and fireblight present. Several of the trees had been fairly … Continue reading

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An Antique Apple Addiction

I first came across the concept of “antique” apples when I was looking for the variety Elstar to plant in the first expansion of my orchard. I had heard of “heirloom” and “old fashioned” plants before, but “antique” was a … Continue reading

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