At a time when new stonefruit plantings have largely come to a halt in South Africa, the establishment of new Carmingo apricots still generates enthusiasm.
Right: Carmingo Farlis, the variety currently cropping
The reason is strong demand and pricing in the market, says Michael Oosthuizen, manager of the Carmingo series for International Plant Selection.
However, hail dealt a blow to South Africa’s Carmingo apricot orchards (as it did to apples and pears). One Carmingo producer's entire crop was almost totally devastated by hail last December but it was a happy surprise when the Carmingo packouts on another farm which suffered 60% hail damage, turned out better than expected.
Now that hail has become almost chronic, falling roughly every three out of five years these days (some Western Cape farms getting hail for the first time in fifty years) hail nets have become absolutely indispensable.
One of the larger Carmingo farms in the Koo area has decided that they will not plant any orchards without nets, Michael says. “For the last two years this farm has not only had no hail damage, but the production as well as packouts have improved a lot. The nets are creating a softer/milder climate and sunburn is non-existent. This will be the only way forward for a high value crop like Carmingo.”
The Carmino Robyngo range (photos supplied by Michael Oosthuizen)
Michael observes that the red Rubyngo range is a little more susceptible to sunburn due the darker colour which attracts more heat; hail nets would prevent sunburn completely.
Pierre Burger in the Koo Valley was one of the first to plant Carmingo apricots. Recent seasons have firmed his commitment to the apricot series that comes substantially later than South Africa’s traditional apricot season and he has decided to replace all of his apple and pear orchards with Carmingo apricots under hail nets.
Farlis, best-adapted to South Africa
The Carmingo Farlis is being harvested and after being kept in storage for three weeks at 12°C, he says, the eating quality is exceptional.
Right: Alex Darnaud in a South African block of Carmingo Farlis
“The normally drier flesh has become very juicy. The Farlis is the best adapted Carmingo variety in the current range, according to Alex Darnaud from IPS.”
Michael maintains that the opportunity exists to plant much more.
“The new Rubyngo range (redskinned apricots from the IPS stable) has performed well under evaluation this past season. Growers have decided to go full out for these exclusive new exciting range of apricots.”
He continues: “Traditionally, apricots were all done by the end of December and here we are, two months on and we still have one of the best varieties that can be sold. We need to really grab this opportunity with both hands.”
For more information:
Michael Oosthuizen
International Plant Selection
Tel: +27 83 228 9348
Email: toyoosth@iafrica.com