The English Apple Man has been 'out and about' this week assessing the hail damage and crop potential
On Wednesday I joined my good friend Roger Worraker as we visited a number of orchards in West Kent.
It is clear the recent hail has been 'cruel' to some growers and 'unkind' to others; reports indicate severe damage to some farms. with much of the fruit written off. Many farms however have received an 'early' sprinkle (circa 20th May) which is of no consequence and a further 'battering' last Friday (5th June) during the storms which swept up from the Continent across Southern England. Many of these farms fall into the 'unkind' category.
It is probably difficult to understand the emotions a fruit grower goes through when hail strikes; having experienced it one more than one occasion, and once so badly on what would have been a perfect crop, I can empathize with my grower friends as they come to terms with disaster. Initially all is despair as you watch it fall; then you 'brave' the moment and walk 'gingerly' into your orchards to have a look at first hand. The emotions are still mixed - often thinking its not as bad as you fear, then as you move from 'branch to branch' and 'tree to tree'........feelings of uncertainty..........'best leave it for a couple of days..........then take another look!
'Maybe a call to your agronomist and marketing agent......The English Apple Man has in his past capacity with a major marketing group been requested to visit and give advice - and maybe 'some hope' to the grower........on most occasions hail proves to be more damaging as time passes.
Talking to my industry contacts, it is clear the hail damage has been widespread across the County of Kent. Undamaged orchards are few and far between. My contacts in The Wisbech area are more upbeat with only the early (May) hail noticeable.
The saving grace may be; the 'fruit set is good' and most orchards could still have a decent crop after the hail damaged fruit has been removed. While the earlier the fruit is thinned, the better it will be for the quality of the fruit at harvest, it was clear on Wednesday in West Kent that another week or so will see the tree naturally thin a lot a of fruit (the so called - June drop) and it will be easier to concentrate the 'thinners' efforts on separating the good fruit from the hail damaged fruit.
Below: Before inspecting the fruit, a chance to enjoy the beauty of the Kent Countryside!
Below: hail damage on Bramley and Early Windsor
Below: the Gala crop is good, with ample opportunity to 'thin off' the damaged fruit
Below: a bunch of Gala with some fruit damaged and some undamaged - after removing the damaged fruit there are still 2 undamaged apples on this bunch - more than enough for a full crop, if this was to be replicated across the whole tree
Hail is a Global challenge!
Several years ago this clever illustration of Hail risk caught my eye - Click on; Clever Cover
Regular readers of The English Apple Man will be familiar with my travels and stories of hail netting used in many parts of the World to protect the fruit; hail is an annual hazard in many growing regions. Sometimes even the protective covers can fall foul of extreme weather conditions!
These pictures from Campiglione in Italy emphasise the hazards; two orchards with a total area of 150 hectares suffered disaster. 50 hectares of kiwi and 12 hectares of apples were destroyed. The Campliglione region is a large producer of Kiwi and lost around 15,000 tonnes in the hailstorm. In addition hail netting fell foul of the weight of the hail.
Below: Just look at those angry clouds and the white scene from fallen hail
Below: A Kiwi fruit orchard in Campiglione after the hail fell
Below: hail nets are standard practice in this region, but when hail of this volume falls, the weight is beyond the capacity of the structure
Below: Disaster!
Back in the orchards of England, this Gala orchard with Cameo pollinators near Hadlow in Kent is very pleasing to the eye; good shape and carrying a very good crop and 'thankfully' free from any serious hail damage.
Below; Gala trees and a 'one year old' branch of Gala carrying an excellent set of fruit
Pears are a bit patchy this season and it is still to early to confidently predict likely yields; the Conference pictured below in an orchard near Tonbridge are carrying an above average set. The Comice are less prolific!
Below: A very good Conference set and a much lighter Comice set.
The last two weeks have been rather consumed with news of hail damage; normally at this time of year, Scab and Mildew are the main conversation points. Talking to an Agronomist friend this week it seems Scab is not an issue but Mildew is very prevalent.
As I sign off for this week my fingers are crossed that today's weather pattern which was further West than last week, has not inflicted any more hail damage on our fruit growers.
For any reader wishing to study the weather prospects; Click on Met Office WEATHER
Take care
The English Apple Man