Right, apples apples and more apples. I’ve learned how to prune them, learned what 2 year old fruiting wood looks like and what is needed as a pollinator. I have several that polinate each other and others, so I’m pretty right.

I was told I can plant out my grafted Opalescent so I will do that this weekend. I have the spot.
But the one thing I can’t seem to find out is, is my antique apple graft a low chill variety, or a high chill one ? Does it even matter?

The rear vege beds that used to belong to the chooks are going back to the poultry as it’s not sunny enough in winter for veges. But it’s fine for fruit trees and the chooks will love the shady citrus back. This will be my mini orchard no 2. (chooks can move back in only when the trees are established)

If that low chill/ high chill thing does matter, it will determine where exactly I plant it as it will be mixed in with dwarf citrus varieties in a sort of zig zag pattern.
If it needs frost then I can plant it towards the front where I know the ‘frost line’ crosses my yard. But this is also the hottest part in summer.
It’s citrus mates don’t need frost so they are slightly back anyway.

Interesting foreign language there…

not sure what she means by chill…. this thread best left to the mexicans me thinks.

Happy Potter said:

Right, apples apples and more apples. I’ve learned how to prune them, learned what 2 year old fruiting wood looks like and what is needed as a pollinator. I have several that polinate each other and others, so I’m pretty right.

I was told I can plant out my grafted Opalescent so I will do that this weekend. I have the spot.
But the one thing I can’t seem to find out is, is my antique apple graft a low chill variety, or a high chill one ? Does it even matter?

If that low chill/ high chill thing does matter, it will determine where exactly I plant it …
If it needs frost then I can plant it towards the front where I know the ‘frost line’ crosses my yard. But this is also the hottest part in summer.

Just off the top of my head i’d say the biggest clue lies in the information you’ve provided. My understanding is that low-chill varieties are more modern cultivars. If yours is indeed an “antique” or heritage variety then the chances are that it predates low-chill varieties. Without actually doing any research my guess is that it would need more chilling hours, so plant where it is more likely to be cool.

Is it on dwarfing rootstock? I’d be inclined to plant in your “extreme cold/extreme heat” spot. If the heat gets too much can still be moved in winter when it’s dormant. And the summer warmth could be just the thing for ripening the fruit.

Yeehah said:

Happy Potter said:

Right, apples apples and more apples. I’ve learned how to prune them, learned what 2 year old fruiting wood looks like and what is needed as a pollinator. I have several that polinate each other and others, so I’m pretty right.

I was told I can plant out my grafted Opalescent so I will do that this weekend. I have the spot.
But the one thing I can’t seem to find out is, is my antique apple graft a low chill variety, or a high chill one ? Does it even matter?

If that low chill/ high chill thing does matter, it will determine where exactly I plant it …
If it needs frost then I can plant it towards the front where I know the ‘frost line’ crosses my yard. But this is also the hottest part in summer.

Just off the top of my head i’d say the biggest clue lies in the information you’ve provided. My understanding is that low-chill varieties are more modern cultivars. If yours is indeed an “antique” or heritage variety then the chances are that it predates low-chill varieties. Without actually doing any research my guess is that it would need more chilling hours, so plant where it is more likely to be cool.

Is it on dwarfing rootstock? I’d be inclined to plant in your “extreme cold/extreme heat” spot. If the heat gets too much can still be moved in winter when it’s dormant. And the summer warmth could be just the thing for ripening the fruit.

Excellent answer Yeehah, thank you :) That makes sense. And yes it’s on dwarfing rootstock. I thought it would need more chill hours going on how old it is compared with the modern and I tried to find it’s parentage for something else to go on, but had no luck.
This info was going round and round in my head and I shouldn’t try and cram info when there’s other thoughts trying to cram in there too. (outside stressors)
I will plant it in that position. :D

Happy Potter said:

Excellent answer Yeehah, thank you :) That makes sense. And yes it’s on dwarfing rootstock. I thought it would need more chill hours going on how old it is compared with the modern and I tried to find it’s parentage for something else to go on, but had no luck.
This info was going round and round in my head and I shouldn’t try and cram info when there’s other thoughts trying to cram in there too. (outside stressors)
I will plant it in that position. :D

Glad to have been able to make a gardening post for a change!

http://www.orangepippin.com/apples/opalescent

An American variety that prospered under Australian conditions. Originating in Ohio and introduced to the market in 1899, it is a large and sweet mid-season dessert apple with a shiny red skin on the sunny side. Pollinators- Granny Smith or Rome Beauty.

roughbarked said:

http://www.orangepippin.com/apples/opalescent

An American variety that prospered under Australian conditions. Originating in Ohio and introduced to the market in 1899, it is a large and sweet mid-season dessert apple with a shiny red skin on the sunny side. Pollinators- Granny Smith or Rome Beauty.

Thanks RB, I have a granny smith so at least now I know I have it’s pollinator :) I did see that site when searching. I’m intrigued by the comments, who would go so ga ga over an apple?

I can’t wait to bite into one ;)

Happy Potter said:

Thanks RB, I have a granny smith so at least now I know I have it’s pollinator :) I did see that site when searching. I’m intrigued by the comments, who would go so ga ga over an apple?

I can’t wait to bite into one ;)

Mr Y. He da apple addict :)

Yeehah said:

Happy Potter said:

Thanks RB, I have a granny smith so at least now I know I have it’s pollinator :) I did see that site when searching. I’m intrigued by the comments, who would go so ga ga over an apple?

I can’t wait to bite into one ;)

Mr Y. He da apple addict :)

An apple a day eh. Actually I don’t like apples but love them cooked. My kids do eat them though and will raid mine. I was telling my kids they had better learn to grow a fruit or two if they want to taste the real thing, in their later lives anyway.

roughbarked said:

how pretty is that :)

Thank you RB!

:)

did you see which her, the no flies were on?

Errr, which ‘her’ no flies were on? ..no..

Explain please, lol

http://www.flickr.com/photos/99559986@N00/with/5080020086/

look at the page.. see where the arrow points.

Damn this computer is slow.. I need to clean up..

I meant this page http://www.flickr.com/photos/99559986@N00/

roughbarked said:

Damn this computer is slow.. I need to clean up..

I meant this page http://www.flickr.com/photos/99559986@N00/

Oh thats better, yes :) “burp” lol

Well my little Opal’ apple graft is now planted out and happy in full sun. It’s number 8 and that’s plenty for me and my mob to enjoy, plus some to share.

roughbarked said:

What can I say? almost 3 D and the petals have sheen…

roughbarked said:

:)

did you see which her, the no flies were on?

Oh a spidie pic:) Very nice:D

Dinetta said:

roughbarked said:

What can I say? almost 3 D and the petals have sheen…

that will do – nicely said.

i suspect my door nudging poodle let a hundred of those dopey blowflies into the house. one thing about those big slow blowflies is their usefulness as a flyswat target. all quiet in the house now but the sill need a sweep.

roughbarked said:

Damn this computer is slow.. I need to clean up..

I meant this page http://www.flickr.com/photos/99559986@N00/

Not as slow as my PC tonight….

Happy Potter said:

roughbarked said:

how pretty is that :)

Thank you RB!

Are flies attracted to apple flowers? I’ve never seen an apple tree in flower.