The Grapevine Delayed due to covid-19 and Zoom session arrangements

December 2020 • The Journal of the Midwest Fruit Explorers • Vol. 44 No. 4

This will be my final President’s message. I've really enjoyed this role for the last few years, but now it's time for a change in leadership. If you are interested or know of THE PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE someone who would be interested, please contact a member of the board. We'll be taking nominations for President in the upcoming annual business meeting that will be held on January 24 via Zoom. The rest of the officers interested in staying on for another year.

Due to COVID restrictions, we have not resumed group events. However, the board is busy planning virtual meetings and events for the coming year. There are some exciting events in the works. See more in this Grapevine issue and stay tuned for more information.

It's about time to do some wassailing in the orchard. Although, I must have done something wrong last year, I did not have a bountiful fruit harvest this year. My berries were fabulous though. As I look around my orchard, I feel so lucky to have found this club. I have a lot of people to thank for sharing their love of home orchards and influencing my own orchard. Because space is limited, I will only mention a few of the great MidFEx people. A special thanks to: Al, Gene (RIP), Chuck and all the folks who produced the videos that originally attracted me to MidFEx; Jeff, Patrick and Ben my co-officers; Jeff our tireless Treasurer and rootstock guru; Bob, Bill and Leon who introduced me to figs and kiwis; INSIDE Kevin for the gooseberry bush and passionflower that are thriving in my orchard; Oriana for Asian Pear scion and President's Message 1 especially for the Herculean task of transplanting and Medlars, Persimmon, and Quince 2-5 saving Gene's orchard; Michael for the Harvest Fest apple Medlars 2 tasting events; Robin for production of the Grapevine; Jeff Persimmon 3 N. who posts great content on our Facebook page; Quince 4 everyone eflse who has contributed to this wonderful Apple Cake Recipe 5 experience of growing a home orchard. I've enjoyed every Annual Business Meeting 6 minute of it and will remain involved as a member of Cosnow Media Awards 7 Learn from My Mistake 7 MidFEx. Dues Reminder 7 Kurle Memorial Lecture 8 Pick Three 9 Happy Holidays and stay well Rootstock and Scion Sources 9 everyone! Rootstock Order Information 10 Membership Renewal Form 11 Scion Wood Collection 11 Deb Graham Calendar 12

Grapevine December 2020 1 Medlars, Persimmons and Quince

By Robin Guy

The following is just a small bit of information concerning Medlars, persimmons and quince. From Michigan State University Extension Service, Unusual Fruit Plants for Gardens in the North Central Region, Extension Bulletin E-2747, 2001. https://fruit.wisc.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/36/2018/10/e2747.pdf

Medlar - Mespilus germanica

The medlar is a small, self-fertile, deciduous tree that has been cultivated for perhaps 3,000 years. The Greeks and Romans were familiar with it, and the Babylonians and Assyrians may have cultivated medlars. Medlar is closely related to hawthorn (Crataegus spp.) and pear (Pyrus spp.). Trees can reach heights of 25 feet but may also occur as large shrubs or form dense thickets (Figure 14). The plants are frequently more broad than they are tall. Wild plants are thorny, but thorns are reduced or lacking in the cultivated forms. Growth rate can be up to 1 foot a year under favorable conditions. Medlars produce white to blush-pink flowers on spurs in the spring. The fruit has been variously described as a berry, a “turbinated” berry, a drupe, a haw and, most frequently, a pome (Figure 15). Baird and Theiret (1989) feel that it is best termed a drupe because of seed- containing stones. The fruits need to be “bletted” before they are palatable. Bletting involves leaving the fruit on the tree for one or more hard frosts, harvesting and then leaving the fruit in a cool, dark area for up to several weeks before consuming. The bletting process improves palatability by reducing tannin, asparagine and acid levels, increasing the sugar content and softening the fruit. Bletted fruit tastes similar to spiced applesauce and may have a pleasant vinous character.

Cultivars

‘Dutch’ - Vigorous, with a near-weeping growth habit. Bears large fruits, about 2 to 3 inches across. ‘Nottingham’ - An old selection with an upright growth habit and small, tasty fruit. Growth form tends toward that of a small tree. ‘Royal’ - Said to possess some of the traits of ‘Dutch’. ‘Walters’ - More of a shrub form, growing 4 to 6 feet tall.

Site and cultural requirements : Medlar grows best in full sun and seems to do well in a variety of soils. A fertile, moist, well drained loam should work best, however. There is little published data regarding medlar’s cold tolerance; 15 degrees F to -5 degrees F is believed to be the minimum range, but some medlars at the Morton Arboretum near Chicago survived temperatures as low as -30 degrees F. Medlar appears to be adapted to zones 5 to 7. Most medlar selections are grafted or budded on various rootstocks: pear, medlar, serviceberry, quince, hawthorn and cottoneaster. It is frequently recommended to plant the graft union about 2 inches below ground because the graft union is weak and can break when the tree grows older. Fruit size of the grafted plants is usually larger than that of non-grafted medlars.

Pests and diseases: Medlar attracts some of the same pests that attack apples, but damage is usually not serious enough to warrant control measures.

Home uses: Bletted medlars may be eaten fresh, pickled or skinned. They can be stewed or roasted with butter and cloves or roasted over an open fire like chestnuts. Medlars may provide variety when native fruits are scarce. They may be used for jams, marmalade and jelly; in vinegar, tarts and cakes; for wines (juice yield usually is small) and other alcoholic beverages; or in mousses.

Grapevine December 2020 2 ...Continued from page 2 Persimmon - Diospyros spp.

The American persimmon, Diospyros virginiana, is native to the lower Midwest, and selected cultivars may be adapted to areas north of the native range (to USDA zone 5). The native common persimmon is listed as hardy from USDA zones 4 to 9. Trees may be hardy enough to survive northern winters, but the short growing season may not allow the fruit to mature. Though fruits of the American persimmon have been collected and consumed for centuries, its cultivation and improvement through breeding have received little attention.

American persimmon is a small, rounded tree that can reach heights of 40 to 50 feet. The primary commercial species is the kaki or Japanese persimmon (Diospyros kaki). It is hardy only to USDA zones 7 to 10 and so is not suited to most of the Midwest. American persimmon is dioecious — i.e., trees are either male or female. Most cultivars require a male plant as a pollinizer to produce fruit. Persimmon pollinators are unknown insects. Plant only known male cultivars if your sole desire is the ornamental contributions of persimmon (avoid the messy fruit!). The fruit is round or oval, reminiscent of some plum cultivars, and variable in size from 1/2 inch diameter to up to 2 inches (Figure 20). The skin is orange to black and usually has a heavy glaucous bloom. Fruit flavor and quality are variable, from good and sweet to flat and insipid. The flesh is usually very pungent and bitter until the fruit is soft ripe. Fully ripe persimmons lose this astringency. Frost apparently is not required for persimmon fruits to become edible. Numerous selections have been named and introduced, but regional testing of cultivars is limited. Below are some good choices for the Midwest. Cultivars

‘Even Golden’ - An early-ripening variety with excellent quality and firmness. Productive with medium fruit size. It has been observed that the fruit will usually mature in southern Michigan. (The plant will grow in northern Michigan, but the fruit generally won’t ripen.)

‘John Rick’- Ripens later than ‘Even Golden’, but fruits are larger with excellent quality.

Others worthy of a try include ‘Woodbridge’, ‘Miller’, ‘Killen’ and ‘Ennis’.

Site and cultural requirements: Persimmons require minimal care. The trees can tolerate a wide range of soil conditions, but they reportedly prefer a well drained, deep loam with a pH range of 6.5 to 7.5. Plant in areas with full sun and at least some air movement. The plant will tolerate partial shade. Where they are grown in cooler areas, ensure full sun with protection from cool breezes. The trees are drought tolerant, albeit for brief periods (extended droughts will result in premature fruit and leaf drop). Most persimmons do best with minimal fertilizing — excess nitrogen can result in fruit drop. An application of a balanced fertilizer (e.g., 10-10-10) may be necessary if mature leaves are not a deep green and shoot growth is less than vigorous. It has been recommended that fertilizer be applied at the rate of 1 pound per inch of trunk diameter at ground level, spread evenly under the canopy in late winter/early spring. Prune young trees to develop a strong framework of main branches. This may be the only pruning that is required.

Pests and diseases: Persimmons are relatively disease and insect free. Mealybugs and scale in association with ants can be problems. Controlling the ant population may take care of the other pests. Occasional pests also include whiteflies, thrips (which can cause blemishes on the fruit) and a mite that has been blamed for the “brown lace collar” near the calyx. Poorly drained soils may result in root rot. Deer, squirrels, rats, opossums, birds and coyotes are fond of the fruits.

Grapevine December 2020 3 ...Continued from page 3 Home uses: Persimmons may be eaten fresh, but the pulp may also be used in cookies, cakes, puddings, sherbets and custards. Use the pulp only from fully ripened persimmons that have had the calyx removed; prepare it by crushing the fruit through a colander or food mill to separate the skin and seeds from the pulp. Use the pulp immediately or freeze for later use.

Note: Experienced persimmon grower Al Cosnow clarified the statement regarding astringency and frost not being needed: “As explained to me by Martha Davis, the popular belief that frost is required is only a coincidence of the need for full ripening”. Also, Al states that “…persimmons are dioecious, requiring pollination from a male tree for female blossom to set fruit, except for the widely grown Meader, which is a female which can set seedless fruit without pollen, or if with pollen, it has seeds. My two trees' rootstocks are from seeds I planted. (Persimmon seeds germinate well and grow quickly.) One of them bloomed so young that it bloomed male; I let one limb continue male and grafted a female onto another limb. The other one I didn't wait to see its sex, I just grafted a different female onto it. They bloom on new growth, so the trees can be pruned to be kept from Persimmon Flowers, Female (left) getting too big.” large single blossoms in leaf axils; Male (right) multiple, small flowers all Quince - Chaenomoles spp. and Cydonia oblonga along branch

Chaenomoles and Cydonia are in the same subfamily as apples (Pomoideae). Chaenomoles spp. are round shrubs growing 6 to 10 feet or greater in size. Chaenomoles speciosa, common flowering quince, is considered more ornamental than Chaenomoles japonica, Japanese flowering quince. Hybrids between the two Chaenomoles species have been designated as Chaenomoles x superba and grow 3 to 5 feet. Many cultivars are available that should be chosen on the basis of disease resistance as well as flower color. ‘Cameo’, with peach-colored flowers and some resistance to leaf blight, and ‘Texas Scarlet’, widely considered the best red- flowered form, are but two cultivars of C. speciosa that are often available in nurseries. The fruits of flowering quince are yellow or pink and hard and thus not usually recommended for fresh eating (Figure 21). They mature in October and weigh approximately 4 ounces. Cydonia oblonga, common quince, differs from the aforementioned species in that it is a large, multistemmed shrub growing 15 to 20 feet high with fuzzy (pubescent) fruit. Because of its awkward size, it will probably never become common in the urban landscape. Cultivars include ‘Pineapple’, with large, gold-yellow and white-fleshed fruits and an aroma reminiscent of pineapples; and ‘Jumbo’, with large, white-fleshed fruits.

Site and cultural requirements: Flowering quince is adapted to a wide range of soil conditions, though chlorosis can occur on high pH soils. A deep, well drained, loamy soil with a pH between 6 and 7 is ideal. Quince tolerate drought and partial shade, but flowers and fruit develop best in full sun. Research has shown C. japonica to be the most winter-hardy species and quite resistant to late spring frosts.

Pests and diseases: Fire blight (Erwinia amylovora) can be a serious disease of flowering quince, so select a disease-resistant cultivar. Quince rust (Gymnosporangium clavipes) primarily attacks the fruit and succulent stem growth. Branch dieback can occur through stem-girdling twig galls. Leaf spots can result in premature leaf drop, and Dirr (1998) reports that abundant rainfall in spring and early summer can result in 50 to 75 percent defoliation by July. Scales, aphids and mites can be a problem periodically. Crown gall (Agrobacterium tumefaciens) causes warty growths on the stem near the soil line.

Home uses: The fruits of flowering quince make excellent jellies, jams and preserves. Fruits of C. japonica are particularly high in acids and have a tart flavor. Quince fruit are also noted for their high vitamin C

Grapevine December 2020 4 ...Continued from page 4 content. Quince flowers provide an attractive bloom display. Be aware that the natural growth habit tends toward a tangled, twiggy mass. Rejuvenation pruning — cutting the plant down to approximately 6 inches above the ground — will correct this, resulting in more spectacular flowering. Regular pruning after flowering will help maintain a desirable form. Quince branches are thorny and make effective barrier hedges. Quince is also popular for use in bonsai.

More Al Cosnow wisdom: “…it should be pointed out that Cydonia oblonga is really the main species for any culinary use, the one that is meant when any recipe calls for "quince." However, Ruth Melulis has experience from her native country with Chaenomeles grown primarily for the fruit rather than as an ornamental and has also mentioned its high vitamin C content. In addition, only Chaenomeles is thorny, Cydonia definitely is not.”

FRENCH APPLE CAKE by Jeff Postlewaite (reprinted from the September 2011 Grapevine) Uses very little flour. Yields a glossy cake with almost pudding like consistency.

Cake ingredients: 3/4 cup whole wheat flour 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract 1/2 cup sugar Enough apples to nearly fill baking pan 1 tablespoon baking powder Cored, peeled, cut into thin wedges ½ teaspoon baking soda 1/8 teaspoon salt Topping ingredients: 1 teaspoon cinnamon 1/3 cup brown sugar 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg 1 large egg, lightly beaten 2 large eggs, lightly beaten 3 tablespoons butter, melted 2 tablespoons vegetable oil 1/2 cup buttermilk

Directions: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Butter a 9-inch springform pan and set aside. A deep 2 qt baking dish can also be used. In a large bowl, combine the dry ingredients. Add the wet cake ingredients and stir until well blended. Add the apples and stir to thoroughly coat them with the batter. Spoon into cake pan. Place pan in center of the oven. Bake until fairly firm and golden, about 25 min. Topping: In a small bowl, combine the sugar, egg, and melted butter, and stir to blend. Set aside. Remove cake from the oven. Pour topping mixture over it. Return cake to the oven, bake until the top is deep golden brown and cake feels quite firm when pressed with a fingertip, about 10 min. Transfer cake pan to rack, cool for 10 minutes. Run a knife around the sides of the pan, release and remove the springform side, leaving the cake on the pan base. The cake collapses a bit as it cools. Serve at room temperature, cut into thin wedges. Optionally, can be dusted with powdered sugar.

DUE TO COVID-19 HEALTH RESTRICTIONS, ALL GROUP GATHERINGS AT CANTIGNY, CHICAGO BOTANIC GARDENS, ORCHARD WALKS, AND THE ANNUAL MIDFEX PICNIC ARE CANCELED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.

If and when the situation changes, MidFEx will contact members regarding scheduling of these and other events.

Grapevine December 2020 5 Annual Business Meeting

MidFEx Annual Meeting: Sunday Jan 24, 2021 at 1 pm

Due to the Pandemic, our annual business meeting will take place this year virtually via Zoom.

AGENDA

1. We will discuss MidFEx business, including voting for a new President of the club. After years of doing a wonderful job, our current President, Deb Graham is ready to turn the (virtual) gavel over to someone else. Please nominate someone or yourself for this position. Major activities include writing a "President's Message" for each Grapevine and working with the VP to plan and supervise MidFEx events.

2. Oriana will discuss how she moved Gene Yale's apple orchard, practically in its entirety, from his backyard to her property in Deerfield. This will be a discussion to not miss!

3. To participate in the meeting with audio and video, you will need Zoom downloaded and installed on your computer or smartphone.

--- A few days before the meeting Download the Zoom app onto your computer or smartphone. This app will give you access to audio and video for the meeting.

For computers, download at ZOOM.US, note it is not ".com". If you want to test your connection, you may now click on the meeting link and pre-register:

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZErdeuuqj0sHtY_mjREhfiN3TIFQy-0jWDR

Of course, you won't be connected to the meeting until the scheduled time, but you will receive an email confirmation of your registration which will include logon instructions for the actual meeting.

If you have any problems with installing the app or pre-registering, contact Annie Walter (the host for this meeting) at 630-662-6819. Leave a message with your name and phone number so she can call back.

On the day of the meeting, 10-20 minutes before the start (Sunday Jan 24, 2021 at 1 pm) Open the Zoom app, click on the meeting link and then sign into the meeting and wait to be admitted to the meeting. Once you are admitted, make sure that your audio and video are activated. That way, we can see you, since we all miss seeing each other! When the meeting starts, attendees will be muted so that the speaker can be heard clearly. Further instructions for asking questions will be given at the meeting.

Again, here is the link for the BUSINESS meeting ONLY: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZErdeuuqj0sHtY_mjREhfiN3TIFQy-0jWDR

If you do not have a computer or smartphone, you can still join the meeting and participate by calling in, but you will not have the visuals, just audio. Call Annie Walter to get information about dialing in with a phone using the numbers on the keypad.

Our thanks to our Zoom host, Annie Walter. You may call Annie at: 630-662-6819 with questions regarding Zoom (thanks for doing this Annie!). If your call isn’t answered, please leave a message with your name and phone number and she will call back.

Grapevine December 2020 6 Announcing The 3rd Annual Cosnow Media Awards for Excellence in Fruit-Growing Education

Nominations are now being accepted for the Cosnow Media Awards in Fruit Growing Excellence. To nominate an internet entry, please send us a link. For other entries, please let us know where to find it. We will accept internet video entries of 10 minutes or less. If your entry is longer than 10 minutes, please designate a 10 minute segment for us to view. Please submit your entries by February 20, 2021. The nominated entries will be reviewed and the top 5 nominees listed in the March Grapevine. Subsequently, the 5 entries can be viewed by members so that they can rank their choices. Send your entries to :

[email protected]

Learn From My Mistake by Al Cosnow

I just wish somebody had prevented me from making it in the first place.

“Everbearing” (really double-bearing) red raspberries: they’re as close as there is to a fruit that has no-brain training and pruning requirements. There are two easy choices: 1. Leave last year’s canes (fruticanes) to produce a Spring crop. They will then die and can be removed in early summer. Then allow the new Spring canes (primocanes) to produce a late crop in late summer to early fall. OR 2. Cut everything to the ground in late fall or early spring, forgoing that first early summer fruticane crop, but getting a nice, big late crop from the primocanes in the fall. This occurs at a time when fresh, homegrown raspberries are usually quite rare, so they are a special treat. I have usually chosen the latter method. But new primocane shoots grow inconveniently tall and flop over even before they bloom and bear. I should trellis them, but I never seem to do that summer chore in time. So this year, I had the bright idea of cutting back the tips when they reached knee height, to make them branch out and not be so tall. I visualized a nice neat hedge about 4 feet tall with easily picked berries all at the top. Well, cutting back the tips at knee height in June worked as far as getting two shoots from each of the tops. The two new shoots grew well, and after another foot and a half of growth, I decided to top those off as well. By mid-July I had four nicely growing tips from each original primocane, everything conveniently about chest high. No blossoms, though.

What I didn’t realize was that the tips evidently have to grow for a time to be mature enough to bloom. It was only in mid-September that the first tiny flower buds appeared, clearly too late to be able to give me fruit. In the second week in October, there were a lot of flower buds and just a very small percentage of open flowers. Frost would come any day now, and I would have NO raspberries this year.

Don’t make this mistake.

MEMBERSHIP DUES REMINDER

Membership dues are $20, $30, or $35 for 1, 2, or 3 years respectively.

Grapevine delivery via email is free. Delivery of a paper copy by mail will add $10 per year to dues in order to offset the cost of printing and postage.

Check your address label or the email message that delivered your Grapevine for your membership expiration date. If it says 12/31/2020 or earlier, then it is time to renew. At the time of your renewal, if you would like to switch from a paper copy to email or vice versa, send a note to [email protected].

Grapevine December 2020 7 2021 Kurle Memorial Lecture Presented as a 3-part Zoom series in this pandemic year

Chuck Heisinger will host all 3 Zoom meetings. Access them via the Zoom.us website or through the Zoom app. Contact Chuck at [email protected] or 847-332-2188 for further information. Despite these changes in the presentation method, we trust that members will find the presentations interesting and informative. The speakers and their topics will be:

Session #1. Mark Carlson will discuss Cherry, Peach and Pear Tree Pruning

Mark Carlson is a certified landscaper, horticulturalist, and master pruner who has honed his skill for over 30 years. He resides in Northern California, where he and his wife were both raised. Carlson has produced a DVD, the Fruit Tree Pruning Guide, with demonstrations on Peach, Cherry, Apple, Pear, Plum, Apricot, and Nectarine trees at various stages of their development. He also discusses thinning and planting in the DVD.

The session will focus on pruning young cherry, peach and pear trees, with a question and answer session to follow. This Zoom webinar will take place on Sunday, January 31, 2021 at 1:00 pm. Zoom code: 843 505 3484 password: 439203

Session #2. Michael Phillips—It’s all in the Soil

Michael Phillips, author of The Apple Grower, Holistic Orchard (both as a book and DVD), and Mycorrhizal Planet will join us via Zoom to discuss planting, footprint management, and soil improvement. Michael has researched extensively since the Holistic Orchard DVD was made, so join us for some exciting new information. This Zoom Conference will take place on Saturday, February 20, 2021 at 1:00 pm. Zoom code: 967 3958 5863 password: 512847

Session #3. Origin of the HoneyCrisp apple

David Bedford, Senior Research Fellow at the University of Minnesota, samples over 2,000 apples each year from the University orchard in an effort to introduce new, improved cultivars to market. Some of Bedford’s “greatest hits” include Zestar!, HoneyCrisp, and SweeTango (the most litigated apple in history).

Bedford will take us on a tour of the processes of pollination and sampling and will be available for a live question and answer session. This Zoom Webinar will start at 1:00 pm on Sunday, March 21, 2021. Zoom code: 964 1612 7030 password: 110387

These Zoom sessions an be accessed through Zoom.us or the Zoom app. Direct dial up access can be obtained by calling in at: 1 312 626 6799

If possible, videos of all 3 Zoom sessions will also be made available to all members after the Midwest Fruit Explorers: http://www.midfex.org sessions.

Grapevine December 2020 8 Pick Three by Tim Hamilton

When looking through catalogs and internet postings, different varieties catch my eye. Flavor, color, and disease resistance are important, but so is ripening time.

For me, ripening time has become a primary driver in selecting new varieties. I don’t want 10 bushels of apples, pears, peaches or plums ready to harvest on the same day. I don’t want to deal with the abundance. I also don’t want to get tired of eating the same fruit one month and then craving it a month later when nothing is ripe.

I think about PICK THREE. I select three varieties that ripen at different times: early, mid-season and late. It’s not hard to do. Good catalog and reference books provide you with ripening dates. Sure, they may not exactly match Chicago, but they provide the guidance you need.

Here are a few examples of combinations and my favorites: Fruit Early Mid Late Pears Butirra Precoce Morettini Jungs Hardy Seckle Apples Lodi (apple sauce) Liberty Gold Rush Williams Pride Melrose Northern Spy Pomme Gris Akane Snowsweet Zestar! Peaches Red Haven PF19-007

For a great reference, look at the chart from Adams County Nursery: https://www.acnursery.com/doc/8/ACN-maturity-chart_2013.pdf Adams is also a great source for trees.

Remember don’t just pick your fruit tree selections based on flavor. PICK THREE and you will enjoy your harvest over an extended time.

MAIL ORDER SOURCES FOR ROOTSTOCK AND SCION WOOD

For those that want home delivery or seek rootstock or scion not available within MidFEx, the following sources have been suggested by members. Note that some sources have early ordering deadlines – particularly for scion.

39th Parallel Nursery Grandpa's Orchard 1517 Hwy 40, Lawrence, KS 66044 7821 Red Arrow Hwy., Watervliet, MI 49098 785-594-3879 877-800-0077 39thparallel.com www.grandpasorchard.com Big Horse Creek Farm Maple Valley Orchards P.O. Box 70, Lansing, NC 28643 4520 Hilltop Dr., Suamico, WI 54173 BigHorseCreekFarm.com 920-412-5741 maplevalleyorchards.com Burnt Ridge Nursery Raintree Nursery 432 Burnt Ridge Rd, Onalaska, Washington 98570 Morton, WA 98356 360-985-2873 1-800-391-8892 www.burntridgenursery.com/ www.raintreenursery.com Fedco Seeds PO Box 520, Clinton, ME 04927 (207) 426-9900 fedcoseeds.com

Grapevine December 2020 9 ORDERING ROOTSTOCK

In light of the pandemic, we are offering the following rootstocks for members to order and pickup at one of the member’s homes listed below. Please indicate where the roots will be picked up on the order form so we can correctly distribute them to the pickup points. We plan to have grafting knives, parafilm tape, and grafting rubbers available for sale at the pickup points.

We anticipate distributing scion via mail as was done last year. Further details, as well as a list of scion available, will be in the March Grapevine.

Elsewhere in this issue is a list of mail order rootstock and scion sources for members who want home delivery or seek rootstock varieties not offered here. Note that some sources have early ordering deadlines – particularly for scion.

The rootstocks available this year are:

Apple: M27: The most dwarfing apple rootstock - about 15% (usually 4 - 6 feet) of standard size tree at maturity. Requires permanent support of stake or trellis. Geneva 41: Develops into a tree about 30% of standard at maturity. Highly resistant to fire blight and Phytophthora. Requires staking.

Pear: OHXF333: Compatible with European and Asian varieties. About 50% - 70% of standard pear tree size at maturity. OHXF87: Compatible with European and Asian varieties. Vigorous, near standard size rootstock for European varieties. Semi-dwarfing for Asian varieties.

************************************************************************************************************************************************** Prices are $5.00 each for orders received by January 31st. All rootstock is bare root.

Ordered items may be picked up Saturday March 27 or Sunday March 28, 2021 at the one of the following member’s homes: Tim Hamilton, 36500 N. Fieldview Dr., Gurnee IL 60031 Kevin Kuchel, 2100 George St., Rolling Meadows IL 60008 Jeff Postlewaite, 16335 Central Park Ave., Markham, IL 60428

The March Grapevine will have further details about order pickup.

2021 ROOTSTOCK REQUEST FORM NAME:______PHONE:______

PICKUP AT (Please specify Tim or Kevin or Jeff) QUANTITY ITEM PRICE TOTAL EACH

GRAND TOTAL Please mail payment to: Jeff Postlewaite Midwest Fruit Explorers P.O. Box 93 Questions? (708) 596-7139 Markham, IL 60428-0093 [email protected]

Grapevine December 2020 10 MidFEx Membership Application

New Member □ Renewing Member □ Name (please print)

Address City State Zip

Telephone E-Mail

I learned of MidFEx from:

Choose membership option below. Select one only. Make check payable to MidFEx. Grapevine Delivery Membership Length Email US Mail Mail to: 1 Year  $20  $30 MidFEx Membership 2 Years  $30  $50 P.O. Box 93 3 Years  $35  $65 Markham, IL 60428-0093

The above information (name, address and phone only) will appear in our Members’ Only Directory (June Grapevine issue) and is never sold or rented to outside interests.

**** Note that the cost of membership always includes the Grapevine, but that printing and postage adds about $10 per year per member to the cost. This cost has been added into the membership fee for those who choose to have the Grapevine mailed rather than delivered electronically (online). The membership fees shown above reflect these costs.

Scion Wood Harvesting Guidelines

Success of the graft is largely the result of the care given to the harvesting and storage of the scion wood. Please observe the following guidelines when contributing scion wood:

1 Cut scion wood only from trees that are free from disease and that have fruited. 2 Cut the wood while it is still fully dormant before the buds start to swell, preferably not more than 2 - 3 weeks before grafting. 3 Cut only last year’s new growth that is about the thickness of a pencil or slightly less. Water sprouts make excellent scion wood. 4 Scion wood should be cut into 4 - 8 inch lengths with at least 3 buds per stick. 5 ***Label the bundle (or ideally each stick) with the CORRECT variety name.*** 6 Put the bundle in a zip-lock or similar plastic bag, expel as much air as possible, and seal. Do NOT add water or wet paper towels. They just promote mold. 7 Refrigerate. Ideally, apples and bananas should not be refrigerated with the scion wood. They give off ethylene gas that may induce the buds to open.

.

Examples of scion that should (on left) and shouldn’t (on right) be used for grafting

Grapevine December 2020 11 The Grapevine Midwest Fruit Explorers PO Box 93, Markham, IL 60428-0093

First Class

MidFEx Calendar January 24, 2021 Annual Business Meeting, 1:00-3:00 PM, via Zoom January 31, 2021 Kurle Lecture #1, Mark Carlson, 1 PM, via Zoom February 20, 2021 Kurle Lecture #2, Michael Phillips, 1 PM, via Zoom March 21, 2021 Kurle Lecture #3, David Bedford, 1 PM, via Zoom March 27-28, 2021 Pickup dates for ordered rootstock March, 2021 Grafting Workshops #1 and #2: Canceled until further notice July, 2021 Summer Picnic, Canceled until further notice Membership: Use enclosed application, see website, email President: Deborah Graham • Secretary: Benjamin Balskus [email protected] Or write: MidFEx Membership, Vice-President: Patrick Driscoll • Treasurer: Jeff Postlewaite P.O. Box 93, Markham, IL 60428-0093 Grapevine articles wanted! Deadline for articles to Robin Guy Sign Up: ([email protected]) for next issue: February 15, 2021. Please e- MidFEx is on Facebook and the MidFEx Forum: mail articles to Robin and type “GRAPEVINE” in the Subject line. Facebook Page: Midwest fruit explorers (midfex) Gathering editor: Robin Guy ([email protected]) MidFEx Online Forum: Members are invited to join the MidFEx forum. Layout editor: Bob Walter http://lists.ibiblio.org/mailman/listinfo/midfex

MidFEx Web Site: http://www.midfex.org Send anything of interest (links, photographs, fruit info, etc.) to [email protected] for consideration for web site posting. Member Area first time login: username is your last name (exactly as on your address label) plus a '-' plus your 5 character zip code. Example “Doe-60010”. password is your username as described above plus a '-' plus your membership expiration date expressed as 6 numeric characters. Example “Doe-60010-063012”

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