Full Bloom In Central Alabama

March 19, 2008

Peaches are in full bloom here in central Alabama. By full bloom that's not to say that some lower chill varieties are not already at petal fall, they are. The blooming period this spring will be extened some between cultivars due to the fact that varities such as 850 chill hour types did not get there rest satisfied until mid February so they are further behind.

Bloom density this year is a mixed bag. Many varieties did not set a heavy bloom crop due to the drought and stress trees were under last season. Other varieties have set a heavy bloom but have already lost from 20% to 40% during some of the earlier freezes. Varieties with a tendency to produce doubles have higher number of doubles, again the drought during late summer can be attributed to this.

Care should be taken if any bloom removal is planned. Be sure to evaluate each variety to determine number of doubles and number of flower buds that have already been killed. In a few varieties I have found that only the pistil within the flower has been damaged. These fruit will abort since fertilization is not possible.

Hopefully trees have been fertilized and weed control measures have been applied. On the insect front we have not found plum curculio in our traps at this time but, I expect first capture to occur soon. For IPM recommendations go to
http://www.aces.edu/dept/peaches/peachipm/index.html
and click on the 2008 Peach IPM guide link.

In other areas of Alabama- Above Birminham some peach producers have reported 40% to 60% fruit bud mortality. While this would not prevent a full crop it does reduce the "cushion" to be able to tolerate late spring freezes. One or more of these events could still be in the future. In south Alabama, near Mobile, the peach crop is progressing, higher chill cultivars in that area had rest satisfied or near satisfied late so I expect they are struggling a little. Chill hours ranged from 480 to 580 for that area so 650's are affected.

Other Fruit: Strawberries in south Alabama are beginning to be harvested and looks like central production will be coming in first of April. Northern areas should not be far behind with the warmer temperatures, perhaps April 10th.

I will be updating on a regualr basis now that the season is under way.