November 2021 - 22

Tree Fruit Variety Showcase
Industry changes make ordering early essential
Wow, how the nursery industry has
changed in the past few years because
of COVID-19, economics and newer
production systems.
Inflation is raising its ugly head and,
sadly, that includes fruit-tree nursery
stock. Like fruit growers, the nurseries
are dealing with higher prices for
everything. Government overregulation
in Washington, Oregon
and other Western states are forcing
them to seek more efficient production
methods, as well as forcing them to
raise their prices to survive.
This past summer's heatwave
impacted tree-fruit nurseries. The
obscenely long period of high
temperatures made nursery stock
suffer and reduced stands of trees for
spring 2022. It also impacted rootstock
for future years' production.
Almost all nurseries have reduced
their speculative growing to low levels,
only growing the varieties most in
demand. They are producing few of the
less popular or older varieties unless a
grower commits to a contract. At Moser
Fruit Tree Sales, I can help growers find
that odd ball or older strain of variety.
The days of expecting to find a few trees
at the last minute are pretty much over.
Think and plan ahead.
I suspect the apple-planting boom
is finally tapering off, as there are
decent supplies of some of the most
popular varieties of apples on dwarf
roots. Geneva rootstocks are catching
up to demand more, too. Tart and
sweet cherry trees are sold out for the
next few years. Order now for 2024
and farther out. Peach, nectarine,
plum and other stone fruit trees are
now hard to find for 2022. Growers
should be ordering for 2023. If you are
ROYAL RED HONEYCRISP
looking for cling peach or many of the
less available Flamin' Fury or Stellar
varieties, order now for 2023 and 2024.
Pears seem more readily available than
in the past.
The " box " tree has now become a
credible alternative, especially for a
grower who is ready, willing and able
to plant a small, possibly green tree
directly into the trellis system. While
most " box " trees are grown in Ellepots
on the West Coast, there is no reason
that it cannot be done here, closer
to the major orchard areas, reducing
freight and trucking issues.
At least one Eastern nursery
is starting an Ellepot program.
There is no reason that individual
growers could not do the same on
the farm. Call me regarding how
my FastFruitTree system works.
While I am no longer growing any
Some FastFruitTrees finishing off in peat pots in the greenhouse this fall. Height is
between 5-7 feet.
FastFruitTrees in peat pots in the
greenhouse due to my back and
age, I am more than willing to help
others learn how. I hope to have my
experiences available in book form by
the Great Lakes Fruit, Vegetable and
Farm Market EXPO.
With planting densities seemingly
increasing every year in apple orchards,
more and more growers are looking
to do their own, especially as bareroot
prices increase and availability of
many combinations decrease. Grafting
on the farm still is a great alternative
for many growers who have the time
and willingness to perform their own
nursery practices properly.
With Scionon tools, the job is made
much easier and doesn't require highly
trained knife grafters. Call me for
Scionon grafting tools and other supplies
or go to www.GraftingSystems.com. We
GALE GALA
are the exclusive distributor in the U.S.
for Scionon grafting tools.
Call Matt Moser at 800-386-5600 or
on his cell 269-921-6892. Moser Fruit
Tree Sales works with most of the major
fruit tree nurseries in the country to
help find and fill your needs. Visit
www.MoserFruitTreeSales.com. FGN
Hope to see you at the
Great Lakes EXPO
Booth #1110
22 | FruitGrowersNews.com
http://www.GraftingSystems.com http://www.MoserFruitTreeSales.com http://www.FruitGrowersNews.com
November 2021

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of November 2021
