North American Fruit Explorers mailing list at ibiblio

[Douglas Woodard <dwoodard@becon.org>]

From what I read, painting the trees with interior (least possibly 
toxic additives) latex paint is supposed to help a little, delaying 
bloom by maybe three days.

I speculate that protection from low-angle winter sun especially late in 
the day (north slope, conifers) might help.

The British have developed knowledge of cultivars that have 
frost-resistant blossom as well as late blooming times. Bloom time is 
maybe more significant for them since with them it is spread out over a 
longer season. We in North America don't seem to transmit much 
information on frost-resistant blossom, possibly because of the greater 
dominance of commercial growers here.

Doug Woodard
St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada



Richard MURPHY wrote:
> Hello All;
>  
> I have had frost kill on my apple trees in zone 4 Maine for 2 years in a 
> row now. It's an odd combination of a lot of early degree days, and a 
> sudden cold snap at night that actually did it. (It was not the 
> Permethrin that I thought it was, according to UMaine Dr. Moran (thanks 
> again). I checked out the daily temps and they support her 
> Frost diagnosis 99.9%.)
>  
> Is there any way other than sprinkling water, to delay bloom?
> Would late-blooming varieties help?
> Does it have anything to do with the age of the trees?
> Would mulch help?
>  
> Last year, my neighbor 3 miles away, (Francis Fenton, 94) had a fine crop.
> I think I get more sun than he does, early and late in the day....
> In 2008 I had baskets of apples!
>  
> AAAGGGHHHHH!!!!!
>  
> Murph
>
> R A Murphy Jr