Eaton Rapids Phenology Report

Berry development of our native Riverbank Grape, Vitis riparia.  Riparia is a very early bloomer which makes it a challenge to use in grape breeding.

Berry development on a domestic grape vine, one of the Kuhlmann hybrids.

Cluster development on a chance hybrid, an open-pollinated seedling of the Kuhlmann hybrid shown above.  Interesting re-aggregation of genes, up to five clusters per shoot.

A close-up of one of the clusters.

Kuhlmann hybrids are a messy lot from the standpoint of identification.  The original importation was done by a newspaper editor and he based his identification based on the say-so of the grower who supplied the cuttings.  The good news is that all Kuhlmann hybrids make reasonably good wine.

A quince bush that was cut back nearly to the ground.  This is a Polish selection Pigwa S-1.

Sawdust

A seven gallon landscaping tub that used to hold a small shade tree.  I cut out the bottom.

Tub placed around the quince

Sawdust poked down between the shoots.  God willing, they will strike roots and I will have some rootstocks to play with next spring.  This method is a variant of "air-layering" called stooling.

The horseradish is one of the species I am testing as a ground cover in the orchard.  I was mowing in Salamander's orchard today and I saw/smelled that he had Lemon Balm volunteering on his orchard floor.  I may have to give that a try.

The grafted grapes are not exactly bounding out of the ground.

This is a close-up of the bud that is pushing.  It looks like something is chewing on it.  I wonder if it is that small, "S" shaped green squiggle at the base of the bud?

Some of the grape plants have already outgrown the 13 gallon, white, garbage bag tree shelters.  This variety is Geneva Red.

Apples (Liberty).

Pears (Shenandoah)

An apple whip that was regrafted at belt-buckle height to a variety called Water Closet.

Looking down a row of grape vines that is sandwiched between two rows of fruit trees.