Comments on: Just the (New) Details! http://www.starkbros.com/blog/just-the-new-details/ A Growing Legacy Since 1816 Tue, 18 Jun 2013 04:27:28 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4 By: Sarah http://www.starkbros.com/blog/just-the-new-details/#comment-2793 Sarah Thu, 07 Jun 2012 14:22:14 +0000 http://www.starkbros.com/blog/?p=662#comment-2793 Hello, Karen. :) Since your tree has experienced chew damage, it has had to deal with shock and stress from that. Since you have nursed it back to health, it may grow to be a nice tree but, for fruit production, there is another thing to consider: Chill hours. Fruit trees need a certain amount of chill hours (temperatures between 45ºF and 32ºF) while they are dormant to flower and attempt to produce fruit the following spring. The Gala apples are recommended for zones 5-8 and San Diego is zoned 9-10. Your area most likely does not receive the chill hours needed (about 1000 for most apples) to encourage fruit production in that variety. Something to consider would be finding a low-chill variety (like the Anna apple) that is recommended for your area because it may also have a chance to fruit there with your limited cold winter temperatures. :) Hello, Karen. :) Since your tree has experienced chew damage, it has had to deal with shock and stress from that. Since you have nursed it back to health, it may grow to be a nice tree but, for fruit production, there is another thing to consider: Chill hours.

Fruit trees need a certain amount of chill hours (temperatures between 45ºF and 32ºF) while they are dormant to flower and attempt to produce fruit the following spring. The Gala apples are recommended for zones 5-8 and San Diego is zoned 9-10. Your area most likely does not receive the chill hours needed (about 1000 for most apples) to encourage fruit production in that variety.

Something to consider would be finding a low-chill variety (like the Anna apple) that is recommended for your area because it may also have a chance to fruit there with your limited cold winter temperatures. :)

]]> By: Sarah http://www.starkbros.com/blog/just-the-new-details/#comment-2792 Sarah Thu, 07 Jun 2012 14:13:02 +0000 http://www.starkbros.com/blog/?p=662#comment-2792 Hi James! The <a href="http://www.starkbros.com/products/fruit-trees/pear-trees/beurre-bosc-pear" rel="nofollow">Beurre Bosc</a> pear makes an excellent pollinator for the <a href="http://www.starkbros.com/products/fruit-trees/pear-trees/starking-delicious-pear" rel="nofollow">Starking® Delicious™</a> pear, and vice versa. :) Hi James! The Beurre Bosc pear makes an excellent pollinator for the Starking® Delicious™ pear, and vice versa. :)

]]> By: Karen http://www.starkbros.com/blog/just-the-new-details/#comment-1198 Karen Sun, 05 Jun 2011 08:45:31 +0000 http://www.starkbros.com/blog/?p=662#comment-1198 I have a Gala apple tree I purchased from a local nursery here in San Diego about four years ago. When I bought the tree there were a couple of very small apples growing. After planting the tree the apples fell off. The following fall our puppy chewed the tree top off ! I babied the tree back to health...but the problem I have is the tree doesn't bloom. It's a very healthy looking tree otherwise. I only have the one tree, so could the problem be pollination? or is it because the dog chewed it? We would love to have apples. My neighbor has a couple of apple trees in his yard which is across the street. But I never see apples on his tree either. I'm very perplexed. Any help you can give me I would apreciate it. Thank You! I have a Gala apple tree I purchased from a local nursery here in San Diego about four years ago. When I bought the tree there were a couple of very small apples growing. After planting the tree the apples fell off. The following fall our puppy chewed the tree top off ! I babied the tree back to health…but the problem I have is the tree doesn’t bloom. It’s a very healthy looking tree otherwise. I only have the one tree, so could the problem be pollination? or is it because the dog chewed it? We would love to have apples. My neighbor has a couple of apple trees in his yard which is across the street. But I never see apples on his tree either. I’m very perplexed. Any help you can give me I would apreciate it. Thank You!

]]> By: James Hamilton http://www.starkbros.com/blog/just-the-new-details/#comment-337 James Hamilton Wed, 29 Dec 2010 14:45:41 +0000 http://www.starkbros.com/blog/?p=662#comment-337 I would like to plant some pears. I have limited space for fruit trees on my lot. My wife wants a bosc pear, and I see from your catalog that it can be pollinated with the Starking Delicious. Would the Beurre Bosc pear be an adequate pollinator for the Starking Delicious? I doubt if I can fit three trees into the space I have. I would like to plant some pears. I have limited space for fruit trees on my lot. My wife wants a bosc pear, and I see from your catalog that it can be pollinated with the Starking Delicious. Would the Beurre Bosc pear be an adequate pollinator for the Starking Delicious? I doubt if I can fit three trees into the space I have.

]]> By: Judy http://www.starkbros.com/blog/just-the-new-details/#comment-150 Judy Mon, 25 Oct 2010 20:28:27 +0000 http://www.starkbros.com/blog/?p=662#comment-150 Hello Raymond! You are correct, outdoor plants need to be protected from harsh, cold winter weather. Some plants grown in a container are simply too big or too heavy to bring in out of the elements. You may not have an unheated shed or garage for them either. In order for plants to survive the winter, they need to be insulated from snow, sleet and freezing cold temperatures. Move your container plants to one location if possible. Put the smallest containers or pots in the center with the larger ones surrounding them. (If they are too heavy to push or pull to one location, protect them using this method, one at a time rather than in a larger group.) Rake dead, fallen leaves. Put the leaves in between the pots and containers and all around the perimeter. Pile the leaves on top of the containers and plants. The mound should be piled about 1 foot over the containers and 1 foot around the containers. If you run out of leaves, borrow them from your neighbors, I'm sure they won't mind. :) Place a tarp over the mound of leaves. Be sure to cut holes large enough for any taller stems to fit through. You will also want to cut a few holes to allow moisture (rain or melting snow) to get to the root system. Use bricks or patio blocks to secure your tarp and to keep the wind from blowing the tarp and leaves away. When spring finally rolls around and the fear of frost is gone, simply 1. remove the tarp, 2. remove the leaves, 3. water your plants, and 4. your strawberry container is ready to start growing! Hello Raymond! You are correct, outdoor plants need to be protected from harsh, cold winter weather. Some plants grown in a container are simply too big or too heavy to bring in out of the elements. You may not have an unheated shed or garage for them either.

In order for plants to survive the winter, they need to be insulated from snow, sleet and freezing cold temperatures. Move your container plants to one location if possible. Put the smallest containers or pots in the center with the larger ones surrounding them. (If they are too heavy to push or pull to one location, protect them using this method, one at a time rather than in a larger group.)

Rake dead, fallen leaves. Put the leaves in between the pots and containers and all around the perimeter. Pile the leaves on top of the containers and plants. The mound should be piled about 1 foot over the containers and 1 foot around the containers. If you run out of leaves, borrow them from your neighbors, I’m sure they won’t mind. :)

Place a tarp over the mound of leaves. Be sure to cut holes large enough for any taller stems to fit through. You will also want to cut a few holes to allow moisture (rain or melting snow) to get to the root system. Use bricks or patio blocks to secure your tarp and to keep the wind from blowing the tarp and leaves away.

When spring finally rolls around and the fear of frost is gone, simply
1. remove the tarp,
2. remove the leaves,
3. water your plants, and
4. your strawberry container is ready to start growing!

]]> By: raymond http://www.starkbros.com/blog/just-the-new-details/#comment-136 raymond Thu, 21 Oct 2010 21:11:15 +0000 http://www.starkbros.com/blog/?p=662#comment-136 I planted two strawberry plants this year in a half barrel. What do I need to do to prepare it for winter. I planted two strawberry plants this year in a half barrel. What do I need to do to prepare it for winter.

]]> By: Judy http://www.starkbros.com/blog/just-the-new-details/#comment-86 Judy Thu, 14 Oct 2010 19:13:44 +0000 http://www.starkbros.com/blog/?p=662#comment-86 Dave, Because you live in Zone 6, Fall is a perfect time to plant fruit trees! We begin shipping to your area in mid-November. What type of fruit trees are you planning to plant? We will be happy to help you with any growing and/or planning questions you may have. Please feel to contact me via e-mail at: info@starkbros.com. :) Dave,

Because you live in Zone 6, Fall is a perfect time to plant fruit trees! We begin shipping to your area in mid-November. What type of fruit trees are you planning to plant? We will be happy to help you with any growing and/or planning questions you may have. Please feel to contact me via e-mail at: info@starkbros.com. :)

]]> By: Judy http://www.starkbros.com/blog/just-the-new-details/#comment-83 Judy Tue, 12 Oct 2010 21:40:04 +0000 http://www.starkbros.com/blog/?p=662#comment-83 Hi Dale! :) Stark Bro's does not offer any strawberry plants for fall shipping because there would not be enough time for the plants to establish their root systems before the ground froze. We ship strawberries, along with citrus and some other cold-sensitive plants, in the spring. Hi Dale! :)
Stark Bro’s does not offer any strawberry plants for fall shipping because there would not be enough time for the plants to establish their root systems before the ground froze. We ship strawberries, along with citrus and some other cold-sensitive plants, in the spring.

]]> By: Dave Tenen http://www.starkbros.com/blog/just-the-new-details/#comment-80 Dave Tenen Tue, 12 Oct 2010 17:20:38 +0000 http://www.starkbros.com/blog/?p=662#comment-80 I live in central Massachusetts. Is it better to plant dwarf fruit trees in the fall (around now) or in the spring when the ground defrosts? I live in central Massachusetts. Is it better to plant dwarf fruit trees in the fall (around now) or in the spring when the ground defrosts?

]]> By: dale r. kimbrel http://www.starkbros.com/blog/just-the-new-details/#comment-60 dale r. kimbrel Wed, 06 Oct 2010 02:12:20 +0000 http://www.starkbros.com/blog/?p=662#comment-60 does stark bro's have any ever bearing strawberry plants still in stock?Is it to lake to plant them? thank you dale kimbrel does stark bro’s have any ever bearing strawberry plants still in stock?Is it to lake to plant them?

thank you dale kimbrel

]]> By: Judy http://www.starkbros.com/blog/just-the-new-details/#comment-42 Judy Thu, 30 Sep 2010 18:00:08 +0000 http://www.starkbros.com/blog/?p=662#comment-42 Hello JB :) - I definitely recommend amending your clay soil with the following (regardless of rootstock): -1/3 native soil -1/3 peat moss -1/3 river sand That should get your tree roots off to the right start! Hello JB :) – I definitely recommend amending your clay soil with the following (regardless of rootstock):

-1/3 native soil
-1/3 peat moss
-1/3 river sand

That should get your tree roots off to the right start!

]]> By: Judy http://www.starkbros.com/blog/just-the-new-details/#comment-41 Judy Thu, 30 Sep 2010 17:35:21 +0000 http://www.starkbros.com/blog/?p=662#comment-41 Hi Steve! Yellow delicious apples *should* be self-fruitful... has yours produced any blooms over the years? About how old is it? Is it a dwarf/semi/standard? Let's see if we can troubleshoot this for you. :) If you have pictures, you can email them to me at info@starkbros.com! P.s.- Fujis are delicious! Hi Steve! Yellow delicious apples *should* be self-fruitful… has yours produced any blooms over the years? About how old is it? Is it a dwarf/semi/standard? Let’s see if we can troubleshoot this for you. :) If you have pictures, you can email them to me at info@starkbros.com!

P.s.- Fujis are delicious!

]]> By: JB Smith http://www.starkbros.com/blog/just-the-new-details/#comment-40 JB Smith Thu, 30 Sep 2010 12:36:42 +0000 http://www.starkbros.com/blog/?p=662#comment-40 Where might I find detailed information on soil preparation for the new root stock fruit trees that I might want to order. We are blessed with the right climate though the soil while good begs for additions to its clay structure. Where might I find detailed information on soil preparation for the new root stock fruit trees that I might want to order.

We are blessed with the right climate though the soil while good begs for additions to its clay structure.

]]> By: Steve Gilbert http://www.starkbros.com/blog/just-the-new-details/#comment-39 Steve Gilbert Thu, 30 Sep 2010 11:16:08 +0000 http://www.starkbros.com/blog/?p=662#comment-39 I have a 4-5 year old yellow delicious apple tree that has not produced yet. I love fuji apples. Do you think if I planted a fuju apple tree fairly close that it would pollinate and I would have two good trees? I've had great luck with the other items from Starks. Sincerely, Steve I have a 4-5 year old yellow delicious apple tree that has not produced yet. I love fuji apples. Do you think if I planted a fuju apple tree fairly close that it would pollinate and I would have two good trees? I’ve had great luck with the other items from Starks.
Sincerely,
Steve

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