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Tomatoes 2008
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Fruit Species and Varieties for Home Orchards
Many fruit species are not adapted to New Mexico's climate and soil conditions. Late spring frosts occur frequently in all areas of the state, injuring flowers and young fruits of early flowering species. In the north and at high altitudes minimum winter temperatures limit the species that can be successfully planted. Low relative humidity and drying winds may desiccate plants especially in the spring when strong winds are common. The life expectancy of many trees is limited by exposure to high light intensity. Our soils are alkaline, resulting in mineral element deficiencies. Both soil and irrigation water may be high in soluble salts.
Here are some of the
problems that are likely to be encountered with various species. Others may
perform equally as well, and the performance of a given variety may be better in
protected areas around homes than in commercial plantings. We have arranged the
various fruit here by the bloom time rather than alphabetically. Almonds Almonds are the first fruit species to flower in the spring and consequently produce crops infrequently. They should be planted only in the south. Recommended varieties are 'Mission' (Texas), 'Titan,' and 'All-in-One,' a semi-dwarf variety. In the southern areas these trees are usually long-lived and are attractive small shade trees. The Sweetheart Apricot marketed by Stark Bros. produces an edible nut very similar to the almond but as with all apricots production is erratic because the early blooms are killed by frosts.
Apricots These trees are adapted to alkaline soils, and usually mineral element deficiencies are not a problem. Trees are relatively long-lived. They have attractive leaves and are useful as small shade trees. Apricots flower after almonds but early enough to be injured frequently by late spring frosts. Young fruits seem to be more susceptible to frost injury than almonds, plums or peaches. Full crops occur in southern areas about one in five years and less frequently in colder areas. NMSU specialist Ron Walser recommends Goldcot or Harglow. both of which are self-fertile. Harglow is late blooming. Planting on the north side of a home may delay bloom by about one week.
Plums Japanese plums flower about the same time as apricots, but young fruits are a little more cold tolerant, and production is more reliable in all areas of the state. Most varieties need cross-pollination (two different varieties need to be planted). 'Methley' is self-fruitful and more frost tolerant than most varieties. Other tolerant varieties are 'Santa Rosa' and 'Satsuma'. Two hybrids that are reliable are 'Gold' and 'Sepa'. Japanese plums are short-lived and frequently chlorotic (iron deficient) in New Mexico.
European plums flower later than Japanese type and frequently escape frost injury. They are recommended for northern and high altitudes. In general, performance has been poor in the south. Recommended varieties prune plums are 'Stanley', Earliblue, and Castleton
Peaches Peach trees are short-lived in all areas of New Mexico with an average life of 10 years. Painting the trunks with exterior white latex paint to reflect the winter sun reduces sunscald and prolongs life. Annual pruning, to promote compact trees, protects the main branches from burning. Zinc deficiency may be a problem, especially on sandy soils. Peaches flower about two weeks before apples. Full crops should be expected one year in four or five. Three late blooming varieties are: 'Redhaven', 'Dixie Red' and 'Rio-Oso-Gem', Other varieties PF-1, Blazingstar, Challenger, Contender, Encore and China Pearl (white) are recommended.
Cherries Both sweet and sour cherry trees are short-lived and perform poorly in hot southern areas. They are recommended only for cooler areas. Sweet cherries flower early and may be injured by frosts. WhiteGold, Stella, BlackGold and Lapins are all self-fertile. BlackGold blooms late so may escape frost. 'Bing' and 'Lambert' require cross pollination.
Sour cherries flower late and frequently escape spring frosts. Balaton and Danube are both self-fertile and late blooming and are also larger and sweeter than Montmorency which in the past was the main variety. In southern areas try 'Meteor' (semi-dwarf) and 'North Star' (dwarf). Most varieties need no pollinators.
Pears Both Pears and Apples require numerous scheduled sprayings to control worms and other pests. Pears flower after peaches and before apples. Pears are adapted to all areas, but production is better in the south. 'Bartlett' is the leading variety. 'Duchess' and 'Eldorado' are also good. 'Kieffer Starking Delicious' and 'Moonglow' are fire blight resistant. Pear varieties on dwarfing rootstocks are recommended over standard trees.
Apples Although apple trees flower later than most fruit species, late spring frost injury occurs frequently in all areas except in the south. 'Rome' is late flowering. 'Golden Delicious' flowers and fruits are slightly more frost tolerant than other varieties. 'Rome' is not recommended for warmer areas of the state. 'Arkansas Black' (a late maturing variety), 'Jonathan' and 'Winesap' develop good red color in the southern area. Most commercial varieties are adapted to higher altitudes. Semidwarf and dwarf trees bear sooner and are easier to manage than standard trees. Plant only improved earlier-coloring strains of these varieties. Ginger Gold, Gala, Honeycrisp, Golden Supreme, Golden Delicious, Fuji and Arkansas Black are varieties currently being recommended.
Grapes There are three main species or types of grapes that will grow in New Mexico. European (California) varieties are not entirely winter-hardy in New Mexico and should be planted only in southern areas, unless winter protection is given. American varieties are cold tolerant, but some, such as 'Concord', are chlorotic in alkaline soil. French hybrids, in general, are intermediate in winter hardiness. Varieties suggested are:
European Table Varieties – 'Himrod' white seedless and very vigorous. 'Black Monukka' (seedless) excellent for raisins. Others that may produce well are 'White Malaga', 'Red Malaga', makes an excellent raisin when dried on the vine. Reliance (red) and Venus (blue-black)
American Varieties – 'Golden Muscat', 'Niagara', 'Fredonia' and 'Westfield'.
Berries Bramble fruits (blackberries and raspberries) and strawberries are difficult to grow in the warmer areas of New Mexico. Production is poor, and it is difficult to maintain fruiting wood on bramble. Everbearing strawberries may be grown on raised beds in partial shade with mulch and with frequent irrigation. The 'Boysenberry' is the best of the brambles. Black currents, grown with protection from afternoon sun, are sometimes profitable. Growing berries is usually more successful at higher altitudes. Thornless blackberries, Triple crown, Chester (semi-upright) and Apache (upright) Raspberries Polana Caroline Both are ever bearers (fall). Strawberries Honeoye, Darselect (spring bearers) Everest and Tribute (ever bearers)
Figs The fig continues growth late in the fall and frequently the entire aboveground parts winter kill. It is recommended only for the southern areas. Irrigate less frequently in late summer so the plants will attain hardiness before cold weather. Varieties include 'Celeste', 'Mission', and 'Brown Turkey'.
Pecans and Walnuts For the southern area of the state, western pecan varieties such as 'Western Schley', 'Wichita' and 'Burkett' are recommended. In other areas early maturing varieties should be planted. In the middle Rio Grande Valley and from Roswell north to Tucumcari 'Stuart' and 'San Saba' may succeed. For areas with shorter seasons, only northern varieties such as 'Peruque', 'Major' and 'Posey' should be planted.
English walnut trees are less winter hardy than pecans. Trees of hardier strains, called Carpathian walnuts, may survive temperatures as low as -40 °F. However, they flower earlier than pecans and may be damaged by spring frosts. Walnut leaves are more susceptible to salt injury. 'Mesa' variety has produced consistently, and the tree has survived -20 °F in the Mesilla Valley. Named varieties, such as 'Colby' and 'Lake', rather than seedling trees, should be planted.
Source for trees may be found by doing a search on the named variety. However, many trees can be obtained simply by dropping the seed into the ground and waiting to see what grows. Seedling trees however will not be true to the parent tree and may not be worth growing. In that case, grafting of a known variety to the seedling can produce a worthwhile plant. 02/08/2006 For excellent additional information for the serious fruit grower. Click here: The 2004-2005 Pennsylvania Tree Fruit Production Guide
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