Champlain Orchards' mission is to sustain itself as a business by marketing fresh fruit and value-added products while minimally impacting the environment. Thus we strive to grow IPM (Integrated Pest Management) fruit. Described below are exactly what IPM growing means and why we choose to pursue this method.

Click here to view Champlain Orchards' tree fruit growing tips.

VERMONT APPLE GROWING WITH AN ENVIRONMENTAL CONSCIENCE

MANAGEMENT STANDARDS FOR CHAMPLAIN ORCHARDS AND SUPPLIERS (2004)

The base operating guidelines for all growers should be the New England Apple Pest Management Guide and the IPM checklist assembled by Lorraine P. Berkett and M. Elena Garcia of the Department of Plant and Soil Science at the University of Vermont. This checklist can be found online at:

An IPM Checklist for Vermont

How should one take a step further toward even higher environmentally conscientious fruit production with standard IPM operating measures already in place? Each grower experiences conditions and challenges unique to their growing site. We need to continue developing our growing skills by experimenting with materials and growing practices which separate our fruit as superior in environmental sensitivity.

Recommended Additional Growing Practices Include the Following:

1) Herbicide elimination. If this is not possible, then minimize usage to trees less than 4 years old with one application during the month of June. Weed control after the first of June on young trees should be manual/mechanical.
2) Begin to invest in the future of disease resistant plantings.
3) Begin to experiment and transition toward utilizing organic fertilizer inputs such as compost or Chilean Nitrate as sources of Nitrogen etc.
4) Begin to experiment with OMRI approved material substitutions which might increase production costs but increase environmental sensitivity of fruit.
5) Avoid post harvest drenching of fruit.
6) Minimize usage of Chemical Thinners by investing in tree nutrition, pruning, marketing of smaller fruit, and hand thinning of overcropped fruit.
7) Avoid the need to apply miticides by maintaining tree health, applying OMRI approved dormant oils, and maintaining predatory mite populations.
8) Eliminate usage of organophosphates such as Guthion.

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Champlain Orchards' Tree Fruit Growing Tips

In this section, you will find helpful tips and information on two different aspects of tree fruit growing.

First, the selection of a proper rootstock.
And second, the progression of buds from the earliest signs of growth to the fertilized flower.

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Rootstock Selection

It is important to select a proper rootstock based on the growing conditions (i.e. soil, weather, climate, altitude, etc.) of the land where your apple trees are located.

The following chart, and much of the written information about certain rootstocks, is located at the Adams County Nursery website, http://www.acnursery.com/roots.htm:

This chart provides an excellent visual summary of how certain rootstocks will lead to gradations in size in a mature fruit tree, with 100% size representing a tree that has grown from a seedling.

Here is a summation of where these rootstocks will flourish, how vigorous they will grow, and what individual attentions they may need comparatively:

M-9

Dwarfing rootstock ideal for high-density plantings. Precocious and tolerant to a wide range of soil and climate conditions. Tree support needed because roots anchor weakly. Susceptible to fireblight.

M-9 / M-111 Interstem

Intermediate rootstock with all the advantages of M-9 (precociousness and hardiness,) but with a stronger root system and more resistance to drought conditions. Should be planted deep, with only interstem piece showing.

Bud 9

Dwarfing rootstock similar to M-9. Also needs tree support because of weak anchoring. More resistant to fire blight and collar rot than M-9. Winter hardy, perfect for northern climes.

G-16

Dwarfing rootstock also similar in size to M-9 varieties. High yield, and resistant to root suckers and burrknots. Also resistant to apple replant disease and fire blight.

M-26

Smallish rootstock, producing a tree in size between M-9 and M-7 rootstocks. Supports itself well in strong soil, requires staking in less fertile soils. Susceptible to fire blight, wet feet and wooly aphids.

G-30

Smallish rootstock similar in size to M-26. Less vigorous than M-7 rootstock. Like the G-26 rootstock, it is resistant to apple replant disease and fire blight. Extremely high yield efficiency.

M-7

The most widely planted rootstock to date, flourishing exceptionally well in the well-drained soils around Lake Champlain. Similar to peach trees in size and spreading-type growth. Well-anchored, winter hardy, and sizes fruit well in a dry season. Disadvantages: will sucker root sucker if planted too shallow.

M-106

Trees are somewhat larger and better-anchored than those on M-7 rootstock. Performs best at dry sites - does not like to be planted in wet or clay soils. Resistant to root suckers and wooly aphids. Grow into late fall, however, making them apt to receive winter injuries.

M-111

Somewhat larger and even better-anchored than M-7 and M-106 rootstocks. Resistant to collar rot and wooly aphids. Perform well in poorly-drained soils and clay soils.

M-9 / NIC 29

Dwarfing rootstock similar to M-9, but recommended for use with cultivars that are naturally less vigorous, like Empire or Honeycrisp, because the rootstock itself produces a more vigorous tree.

With any of the rootstocks described above, it is important to place the graft union of root and tree about 2-4 inches above the ground when planting. If placed too deep, the size-controlling aspect of the rootstock will be lost, and the tree will grow to immense size regardless of the rootstock. If, on the other hand, the graft union is placed too high above the surface of the soil, the tree will be more susceptible to breaking at the union because of wind damage, as well as becoming stunted in size.

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Bud and Flower Growth

This section will provide a photograph as well as a brief explanation for each of the stages of bud growth. Note: The source of the following pictures is: 'Growth Stages in Fruit Trees', New York Food and Life Sciences Bulletin, No. 58, February 1976, New York State Agricultural Experiment Station, Geneva, NY. Chronologically, these pictures progress from left to right, down to the next row, and so forth.

Dormant Stage Before the onset of spring, this is how buds that will ultimately produce fruit appear.	Silver Tip The first stage of bud growth after dormancy. This stage is reached when 50% of non-spur Macintosh fruit buds appear similarly.
Green Tip The second stage of bud growth occurs when 50% of non-spur Macintosh buds appear similarly. Should be viewed from the side, as seen in this picture, not from the top down.	Half-Inch Green The third stage of bud growth occurs when 50% of non-spur Macintosh buds appear similarly. This is the stage at which fungus invasion can occur, and when preventative measures should be taken against certain fungi.
Tight Clusters The fourth stage of bud growth occurs when 50% of non-spur Macintosh fruit buds appear similarly. It is the stage at which each of the bud's six individual flowers can be identified in the center of the now outward-spreading leaves.	Pink The fifth stage of bud / flower growth occurs when 60 - 70% of blossoms appear similarly on non-spur Macintosh trees. Here in Vermont, this stage usually occurs in late April to early May.
Full Bloom The sixth stage of bud / flower growth occurs when 60 to 80% of blossoms appear similarly on non-spur Macintosh trees. Honeybee importation may become necessary for commercial growing. The flower petals are extremely sensitive, so hope to avoid cold weather and / or hail during this time of growth.	Petal Fall The final stage of bud / flower growth occurs in two mini-stages: when 95% of all petals have fallen, and then when 100% of all petals have fallen. The fertilized buds are ready to begin their metamorphoses into baby apples - again, a very sensitive time in the life of the fruit.