England is seeing some extremely hot weather this summer, which means apple growers are facing another challenging season.
"The mild temperatures in the spring were welcome and there were some very good pollination days," explains James Simpson, Managing Director at Adrian Scripps. "There were no significant frosts, so flowers remained healthy. Average temperatures immediately post-flowering are crucial for cell development in fruitlets; this was generally quite good. The absence of cool wet days and low winds at the fruitlet stage meant skin finish has not been so badly affected as in the previous year. The hot temperatures and occasional rain have created an ideal environment for pests and diseases, which have been a continual battle for growers throughout the season. Particularly with scab infection and the prevalence of rosy apple aphid infections in the eastern growing regions being quite severe."
Apple trees effectively "shut down" when it is too hot. Fruit size becomes limited, and leaf quality can deteriorate. "We have seen evidence of this happening this season. Water availability, even for those with irrigation, has been a challenge and could have an impact on fruit size. Light levels and temperatures in the run-up to harvest may well lead to an improvement in fruit quality with well coloured apples with good flavour. Fruit size may be below the longer-term average, due to the late high temperatures and lack of rain, but fruit numbers per tree with most growers are generally good, due to the good set at blossom."
James said that in terms of volume, they have what most in the industry have, a solid crop; "We do not have any record-breaking yields this season, but have a generally good crop across our farms. We have a number of young orchards which are beginning to deliver their potential this season.
Early varieties such as Discovery and Raspberry Ripple are being harvested now. Robijn and early Windsor will follow. Main crop varieties such as Gala will start in the first week of September, and Bramley for long-term storage probably the week before. Gala, Braeburn, and Pink Lady apples are the main varieties for Adrian Scripps.
Adrian Scripps has always been at the forefront of implementing new technology, and this season has stored and packed Gala and Braeburn for 10 months. "This is in part due to the excellent quality we grew last season and our storage facility. Bramley will run for 12 months and meet new season apples being harvested in September. We are running many innovative and new technologies across all departments. From tree scanning and fruit counting in the orchard prior to harvest, to AI-enabled technology on our fruit grader to identify and classify blemishes on the fruit."
For more information:
James Simpson
Adrian Scripps Ltd
Tel: +44 1892 832406
[email protected]
www.adrianscripps.co.uk
