Apple Thinning Pointers For 2013

Posted by Paul Rusnak|May 21, 2013

Michigan State University offers guidelines to help you make good apple thinning decisions.

This year, apple thinning season factors are unique, as always, and will need consideration before performing thinning, according to Michigan State University Extension educators Phil Schwallier and Amy Irish-Brown. They suggest growers plan on making multiple thinning treatments this year to achieve your target crop load. “We currently have the potential for a very large apple crop, and starting your thinning early at petal fall is highly recommended for 2013.”

The extremely low crop set in 2012 has triggered the biennial bearing cycle that apples are notorious for (on 2013, off 2014, on 2015, and on). “We need to break this potential biennial cycle by thinning this crop down and then use summer NAA to promote return bloom for 2014.”

The lack of a crop last year has produced a “green” snowball bloom this year and is expected to strengthen trees and fruit set for the 2013 apple crop. The “green” bloom refers to the abundant amount of leaves that are present on the trees before and during bloom. Last year, hot and very droughty weather has caused some minor reduction in bloom on limbs, trees, and on a few varieties such as Red Delicious and Empire. This is the exception and only in minor areas.

For more detailed information on tips, go to http://msue.anr.msu.edu/news/apple_thinning_pointers_for_2013.