34 replies to this topic

[EWW]

Came across this presentationhttps://www.dragonsheadcider.com/media/Cider%20Orchard%20Presentation.pdfthis and coversation with the local guru should go along way in planning my mini 4-5 tree orchard. There is already a well established tree of unknown variety that is starting to show early signs of fruit. Now the tough part comes in selecting and sourcing varieties. I'll update this thread as I make decisions and start planting.Overall goal is also to start keeping a couple hives so I can make an estate cyser

[EWW]

Was just walking the thicket in an area of the lot I still need to clear and found another established apple tree and what I think maybe a pear treepear tree?

[EWW]

Further research suggests that may be a plum

[Mya]

Further research suggests that may be a plum

looks a lot like an Italian Prune Plum, they make good Wine

[EWW]

looks a lot like an Italian Prune Plum, they make good Wine

thanks - one of the apples may be a flowering crabapple...should add some nice qualities to a blend.

[EWW]

I'm really looking for some dual purpose apples - eaters and blendersMmmmmm....Slivovitz

[MtnBrewer]

Northern Spy is a great eating apple, IMO.

What was the variety used in the cider we got from the guy in Penrose? Despite just being a single variety, that made pretty good cider.ETA: Was it Jonathan?

[EWW]

Jonagolds are on my list from my experience with them in 2010. I'm also thinking about gravenstein since they are used as the base apple for many NW cidersI need to look at self polinators and flowering schedules to get a better idea about what I want to do, but I'd love to have pippen and some Kingston black.

[armagh]

And goats. Don't forget about the goats.

[EWW]

The dogs will not abide the goats

[Mya]

Fixed for reality.

an equilibrium might be reached

[neddles]

I need to look at self polinators and flowering schedules to get a better idea about what I want to do, but I'd love to have pippen and some Kingston black.

That flowering crab will make an excellent pollinator for almost any malus variety provided their blooms are concurrent.When variety shopping take a look at Wickson Crab. I have no experience with it as I just put my whip in this spring. Everything I found on it looked promising as it was said to make a good cider, blended or single variety. Supposedly it has the rare combination of tartness, aromaticity, astringency and a boatload of sugar for an apple.Good Luck.

[EWW]

Thanks I moved in after it was done flowering - is there any way to back calculate flowering range based on fruit size? Seems like the crabtree will pear late summer fruit. According to this link - https://www.spokane-...it Trees 05.pdf - most crabs should pollinate a lot of different things due to thier longer flowering period.

[EWW]

I don't think this one is also a crabapple but want to double check

[EWW]

Leaves are bigger than the other tree and the tree itself is twice the size...I didn't think crabs grew that large

[EWW]

If it turns out I have 2 crabs one of them will come down to make room for something else

[Mya]

If it turns out I have 2 crabs one of them will come down to make room for something else

wait til spring after you have figured out which one to keep, then whip graft some of the buds of the chosen onto the keeper

[MtnBrewer]

Here in Denver, we have tons of various sized crab apples. One in strangebrewer's front yard is at least 20 feet tall.

I've got three in front of my house. All the fruit got knocked off by hail the other day but the fruit is still green at this stage.

[Genesee Ted]

If you can find and grow a Golden Russet tree.... OMG do it. They are phenomenal out of hand, but their cider is even better. There is an orchard here that has them and they do a 100% GR pressing in the fall. All of the hard ciders I have made and others I have had have been amazing. Pretty remarkable for a single varietal.