Experience with Bourbons in warm climates?
jacqueline9CA
14 years ago
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jerijen
14 years agoJeannie Cochell
14 years agoRelated Discussions
Cherries in a warm climate?
Comments (3)Lapins, Royal Ann, and Brooks are really more "semi-low-chill" cherry varieties than true low-chill. They can fruit in zone 10a, but typically produce fruit every other year (or the fruiting is not consistent, there may be some years without fruit) and do not fruit as profusely. In a warm climate, it can also take a few years longer until a young cherry tree begins producing fruit. With something like Royal Ann, you might see just 3 cherries set fruit in the fourth year after planting, it will be 2 more years until you see anything significant. This may not be suitable to every home grower but there does exist some special chemical treatment strategies for cherry trees that can be applied to try to partially compensate for the inadequate chill. A 200ppm solution of gibberellic acid, sprayed onto the bark of a cherry seedling can help bring it out of dormancy. The gibberellic acid has to be continually reapplied, and should not exceed this concentration (otherwise the plant may stay in dormancy, strangely). In my experience, the treatment is a lot more effective if applied into a cut or break in one of the main branches. The initial first shoots that appear may send out deformed leaves, but the appearance of this first growth will help stimulate a second wave of buds to break a few weeks later, which will produce normal leaves. There is another rest-breaking chemical, Thidiazuron (TDZ), that can be used in conjunction with gibberellic acid (although it is even more expensive). From what I have read, TDZ is most effective when applied BEFORE the plant experiences chill, and reduces the necessary subsequent chill requirement. Both of these chemicals are fairly expensive, so the small quantities need to be applied with care to the tree to maximize their effectiveness. One of the main ways to try to counteract lack of chill hours in warm climates is to try to minimize as much as possible the higher temperatures on warm winter days, because these can seriously detract from winter chill accumulation. In other words, it may not be so much about making sure the plant receives chill, but rather preventing the plant from experiencing warm temperatures when it is in dormancy. You can do this by providing partial shade, or in drier climates misting the leaves during a particularly warm winter day....See MoreKing Apple, Thompson's King for warm climates??
Comments (7)I agree that it's helpful to listen to the opinions of others with more experience but the folks growing apples in your region should carry the most weight. This year I discovered why growers in the mid-west don't like Jonagold when after an exceptionally sunny growing season this usually reliable variety was huge and practically tasteless. It never reminded me much of King, however, which resembles a sweeter version of Baldwin. Heirloom varieties tend to be more regionally varied than modern varieties out of breeding programs which are tested over a wide area before they are released. As you discovered, however, even globe trotters like Fuji are greatly affected by thier regional climate and like you, I prefer Fuji as it grows here. I'm in my 50's and find my tastes have shifted to a preference for tarter more "complex" apples however (complex sounds so elitist!). As far as Golden Russett being inferior to the varieties you mention that opinion is far from unanimous amongst the apple fanatics that I communicate with. No matter how much experience growers and tasters have, as a group they won't agree on anything about apple taste except maybe that Red Delicous sucks- at least the redder strains. It isn't as hard as you think to try hundreds of different kinds of apples. You should google NAFEX and consider joining. There are probably some members close to you that are growing a wide range of varieties. We fruit nuts are delighted to share our obsession so you won't have any trouble setting up a taste tour. You can also contact you cooperative extension and find out about smaller local commercial growers who grow unusual varieties....See MoreAdolescent warm-climate OGR's
Comments (23)Sherry - I think your words are appropriate for growers of modern roses as well. And please excuse my response here on the Antique Forum from someone who doesn't have any Antiques (do DA's or Romantica's count?) - but I like lurking here as often the posts are depthier. My oldest roses are 3 years (perhaps 5 as a few of the first roses I purchased were already 2). My gardening experience is still so young - but even this soon, each year, I see each rose iterate into new renditions of themselves. Most get stronger and more beautiful over time. For the few that are tending in the other direction, I try to pamper them more, and determine what they are missing. There have been a handful that I have thought about removing, but I have yet to do that to one rose (but don't ask me about the Gardenias - yanked my 2nd one today, ugh...) I'm still watching a few, and keeping a mental possible removal list, but my gut tells me to watch them and see how they do over time. Medallion, Europeana and Grand Masterpiece are watched with a skeptical eye, but all three this year have given me periods of time of complete surprise (and joy). So, I've been happy I haven't removed them. Then Proud Land has been moved, and still looks lousy, but this year I've had 2 blooms that have been stunning. So I'm glad I moved "less than Proud" Land to a background place where her overall homeliness isn't noticeable. I'm noticing the DA's are slower growing than my HT's and Floribundas. I really watch daily with a quiet excitement, as they change and mature before me. Young Lycidas whose first canes dragged the ground, has canes that are now trying to poke up into the air. Mary Rose who spent her first year napping exploded this year. There are roses like Purple Tiger and Barbara Streisand that are new this year, both with pretty poor reputations. PT has been doing really well for me, very small blooms, but with color combinations nothing short of brilliant. Roses like this embody hope for me, one of the most marvelous sensations of gardening. Bolero is in her 2nd year. Her few blooms in her first year were stunning, in her diminutive year end size of about 1' x 1'. She stayed quite humble this year until a few weeks ago, and now she has gone crazy in our first heat wave of the year - cane's leaping into the air, covered in the most magnificant blooms. I completely get the growing child analogy, as I look upon my rose children with such pride and glee. And those that are troubled bring parallel emotions to that experience as well - as I feel saddened, and exert extra effort to mend. I notice same with many of the companion plants in the garden. The Dahlias, Mums, Lilies and many more, get stronger and more beautiful over time. I yanked the 2 gardenias because it was clear they were dying and all my attempts to remedy their issues were failures. I can't help it - I see what I plant, as lives to be cherished. They are gifts of nature, and I feel unfit to be judge of their fate if their only issue is that they do not aesthetically please me....See MoreWarm Climate Cherry Trees
Comments (8)I'm somewhat of a cherry expert. The only original species of cherry that I am aware of that have a low chill requirement (less than 200 chill hours) are the Spanish heirloom variety Cristobalina, the flowering Asian cherry Prunus campanulata and various hybrid thereof, and the Capulin cherry, which is native to the mountains of Mexico. The Capulin cherry is very closely related to North American Black cherry species, however the fruit is very different. Capulin is as sweet as sweet cherry but many people find it to have a resinous taste that puts them off. There is so much more I have to say about this topic, but unfortunately I do not have the time or space here. Cherry trees may have disease problems in Florida's humid wet climate. It can be a struggle to try to grow cherries in the South, let alone Florida!...See Morejerijen
14 years agoclanross
14 years agoingrid_vc so. CA zone 9
14 years agocemeteryrose
14 years agoyork_rose
14 years agojerijen
14 years agojacqueline9CA
14 years agomudbird
14 years agojerijen
14 years agoorganicgardendreams
14 years agoingrid_vc so. CA zone 9
14 years agoberndoodle
14 years agomudbird
14 years agoseasiderooftop
2 years agolast modified: 2 years agoClaire Fanger
2 years agoseasiderooftop
2 years ago
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