On Saturday, August 19, the first kiwi berries of this year's season could already be harvested at Obsthof Martin in Eriskirch. "Surprisingly early, because we usually start the season only in the first week of September," describes junior boss Alex Martin, pointing to the optimal weather conditions. "Unlike other years, we were largely spared frost damage this year. The persistent heat of the past weeks, with temperatures around 35 degrees, then accelerated the growth of the kiwi berries even more."
© Martin Obst GbR
The Martin family was one of the first fruit farms in the Lake Constance area to opt for the then unknown fruit and is also in direct exchange with an international group of scientists and growers. Despite all efforts, the southern fruit has not yet been able to establish itself. Martin: "In the neighborhood, the kiwi berry is marketed relatively quickly, but in other regions demand is much lower. This has also led us to reduce our kiwi berry plant in favor of apricots, which enjoy high demand in sales.
Left: Apricots, right: Baronesse damsons
Kiwi berries are now grown on 0.3 hectares, while apricots now grow and thrive on about 2 hectares. The two tropical fruits are marketed either through the roadside vending machine or to resellers. The crops are grown under foil roofs from Voen Vöhringer. "With apricot in particular, we have a particularly hard time with the frost issue," Martin says. Thanks to the wide range of varieties, currently 17, a continuous supply can now be guaranteed from the beginning of June to the end of August.
There are currently around 40,000 Baronesse trees growing throughout Germany.
Harvest start for Baronesse damsons imminent
Another project of the family business is the cultivation of the late premium damson Baronesse. "In about three weeks, we expect to be able to harvest the first fruits. This is the latest damson of the season and it will be offered in parallel with Presenta in the premium range. We have founded Vitamin See GmbH with regional partners for this purpose. This year it will probably only be a test run with a few tons, next year there will be larger quantities." The marketing partner for the Baronesse damsons is Landfrisch AG.
Images: Martin Obst GbR
Further information:
Alexander Martin
Martin Obst GbR
Wolfzennen 5
88097 Eriskirch
Telefon: +49171 304 8312
Telefax: +497541 981 888
E-Mail: [email protected]
www.martin-obst.com "
