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Apples and pears shaping up to enjoy strong harvest | Apples and pears shaping up to enjoy strong harvest |
(35 minutes later) | |
UK fruit growers could enjoy a much improved harvest of apples and pears this year, after 2012's growing season saw a dismal outcome, experts believe. | |
Environmental consultancy ADAS UK says the recent cold weather, a key part of a successful fruit harvest, could see fruit-filled branches in the autumn. | Environmental consultancy ADAS UK says the recent cold weather, a key part of a successful fruit harvest, could see fruit-filled branches in the autumn. |
Poor weather conditions during 2012 saw British fruit yields down by up to 50%. | Poor weather conditions during 2012 saw British fruit yields down by up to 50%. |
However, the prolonged cold weather this year has not helped cereal growers, who face another tough year. | However, the prolonged cold weather this year has not helped cereal growers, who face another tough year. |
An assessment by ADAS suggested that the growing season was about eight weeks late, but the recent warming has seen it reduce this deficit to about three to four weeks. | An assessment by ADAS suggested that the growing season was about eight weeks late, but the recent warming has seen it reduce this deficit to about three to four weeks. |
"We are hopeful of a good harvest this year as long as this reasonable weather keeps up during flowering," said ADAS horticultural consultant Chris Creed. | "We are hopeful of a good harvest this year as long as this reasonable weather keeps up during flowering," said ADAS horticultural consultant Chris Creed. |
The return of cold weather in some parts of the country, which have experienced ground frost, is not likely to jeopardise this, he said. | The return of cold weather in some parts of the country, which have experienced ground frost, is not likely to jeopardise this, he said. |
Crunch time | Crunch time |
But he said that there would be concern if there was air frost (when the air temperature 1.25m above the ground fell to 0C (32F) or below). | But he said that there would be concern if there was air frost (when the air temperature 1.25m above the ground fell to 0C (32F) or below). |
"We don't want an air frost, and we certainly do not want it falling beneath -2C," he told BBC News. | "We don't want an air frost, and we certainly do not want it falling beneath -2C," he told BBC News. |
"Kent, Worcestershire and Herefordshire are probably through this period now, so the crop should be set. | "Kent, Worcestershire and Herefordshire are probably through this period now, so the crop should be set. |
"I would have thought they have got away with it because I do not remember hearing of any serious air frost in the past 14 days." | "I would have thought they have got away with it because I do not remember hearing of any serious air frost in the past 14 days." |
Apple trees are generally in blossom for about 14 days, during which time the flowers are pollinated - primarily by wild bees and hoverflies. | Apple trees are generally in blossom for about 14 days, during which time the flowers are pollinated - primarily by wild bees and hoverflies. |
Most varieties will not produce any apples unless they are pollinated, and pollinated with pollen from a different variety of apple tree so it is important that the trees are in flower at the same time. | Most varieties will not produce any apples unless they are pollinated, and pollinated with pollen from a different variety of apple tree so it is important that the trees are in flower at the same time. |
Mr Creed said that a bumper harvest depended on a number of natural milestones being achieved over the course of 12 months. | Mr Creed said that a bumper harvest depended on a number of natural milestones being achieved over the course of 12 months. |
"We are looking for a good autumn that initiates plenty of flowers, so we want a sunny, dry autumn, and then we want a nice cold period during the winter," he said. | "We are looking for a good autumn that initiates plenty of flowers, so we want a sunny, dry autumn, and then we want a nice cold period during the winter," he said. |
"We have had plenty of cold this season. Then we want a good fortnight [during the spring] with no air frost when the blossom is out, it's pretty simple really. | "We have had plenty of cold this season. Then we want a good fortnight [during the spring] with no air frost when the blossom is out, it's pretty simple really. |
He added that conditions last year were "absolutely diabolical" while apple trees were in flower. | He added that conditions last year were "absolutely diabolical" while apple trees were in flower. |
"And during the summer we would like some proper growing weather," Mr Creed said. | "And during the summer we would like some proper growing weather," Mr Creed said. |
"Proper growing weather during May is some showers and warm nights, ideally double figure nights above 10C, and no drought during June, July and August." | "Proper growing weather during May is some showers and warm nights, ideally double figure nights above 10C, and no drought during June, July and August." |
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