After weeks of cold damp weather, bloom is finally starting. The photo shows a strong bloom just opened up on the Zestars – the earliest to bloom and the earliest to ripen – usually Labor Day weekend.
MacIntosh, Gala, Honeycrisp etc. are still at pink but will open soon with the warm days. Overall the number of flowers gives us the potential for a good crop – but after the heavy crop last year, Honeycrisp will be very light. The bumble bees are out looking for open blossoms.
The snow out in the orchard is finally melted and we are busy chipping brush. Pruning is almost complete.
I am mostly recovered from my Halloween mishap. Once the brush is chipped, some mowing, fertilizer spreading etc. that did not get done last fall is on the to do list.
We will get green tip showing on the buds by the end of the month. Maple syrup makers have had a short season so far and we hope they get a few more days.
Yesterday I got the wires off – we had to check in at 5:30 AM at Albany Med, so we went over Sunday afternoon and stayed at the hotel across the street from the hospital.
Short procedure and we were out by 10:00. Picture shows breakfast at MacDonald’s afterwards. The next challenge is getting my jaws to open more and get my double vision reduced (eliminated?) so I can drive, but we are moving forward.
I appreciate the many sympathetic comments – more than I am able to respond to. Christmas is coming and I plan to eat turkey. Wishing everyone a great holiday.
