Ontario Fruit Explorers

["bert dunn" <helbert@idirect.com>]

This is the first year any of my Brebas ripened fully. Must confess the taste was not as good as summer figs in past years.

The ones with Brebas had very little summer crop. Anyone else notice this? In truth most of figs were crummy this year. Lack of rain?? Also grape crop very sparse compared to last year. Lack of rain?

Anyone know a source of Ground Cherry seed (physalis pruinosa)?

One of my papaws (asimina triloba) appears to has sent out 4-5 suckers. Is this usual? Can they be detached in the spring?

I have what I was told is a Tayberry. The fruit came out like a dark red raspberry. (The wild turkeys love them). A raspberry grower was here picking up grape & fig plants was not able to identify it- except he says not Tayberry. I know there are likely hundreds of raspberry varieties, however any thoughts on what I have?

Joe, if this drought continues there'll be no puffballs. My neighbour's pond has receded 6 feet, first time ever so he says likely no puffballs. If they do happen I'll let you know.     

Cheers            Bert

Bert Dunn  Box 352 Schomberg    LOG1T0     1-905-880-4453     

 

 

From: joe calico

To: 'Ontario Fruit Explorers'

Sent: Saturday, September 01, 2007 11:45 PM

Subject: Re: [OFEX] Pears and Apples

John, I can help you with a bit of scion wood for Seckel Pear; probably enough for about 3 or 4 grafts.  If you don’t succeed in your other preferred approaches let me know and I’ll gladly make the scion wood available.

 

Also, I’ve attached the 2005 PICO scionwood/budwood catalogue.  It lists Seckel in there. 

 

Margie Luffman, Curator at the Canadian Clonal Genebank in Harrow can probably provide you with quince or other rootstocks (I remember seeing a catalogue from Agriculture­-Food Canada in Harrow and I believe it contained some rootstock including quince).  Try Margie at luffmanm@agr.gc.ca  

 

Also, I remember an email discussion last year between Biz, Joe B and Bert where in they were talking about exchanging quince whips which are generally acceptable as rootstock for grafting pear.  I think Biz was the source.

 

Joe C.

 

On Behalf Of John Barbowski
Sent: August 31, 2007 3:43 PM
To: labruscagrape@lists.ibiblio.org
Subject: [OFEX] Pears and Apples

 

Hello people,

 

I have found a bit more room and wish to expand my jungle a bit.

 

Does anyone here have a source for Seckel Pears or Pixie Crunch Apple? I have been looking for a couple of years - to no avail. Woodwinds used to have a standard seckel - but they are now out of business. (Tom, do you have Sherri's contact info?)

 

Failing young whips, my next choice would be scion wood. Since my grafting experience is limited (only a few splice grafts on apple and cherry), I'd be open to advice both on the grafting and the rootstalk, specifically for the pear. And 2ndly, where can I get the rootstalks - looking for about six M-9 or P-22, and a few dwarfing ones for the pear (what kind?).

 

In spite of the nice summy summer, my figs have been slow to develop. I have only had about 6 that have matured normally. I oiled the larger ones about 2 weeks ago, and now have at least 3 dozen ready for harvest. I have noticed that the size of the oiled ones is smaller than the natural ripes. I'll be tasting this weekend.

 

Still waiting for rain. Minimal amounts in the last two months. More black berries dried up than were eaten. Even though the tomatoes got water, just over half ripened properly; the bottoms are still green.

 

ttfn

 

j