Bumper crop of peaches and nectarines expected after successful pollination by bees

On Hogarth Range, the bees are buzzing and the stone fruit trees of Southview Orchard are bursting with pink blossoms.
Key points: Bees have already pollinated 90% of Southview's peach and nectarine trees Orchard John and Frieda de Kleuver are hoping for a bumper crop this year after successful pollination Pruning, the busiest time of year for growers, is followed by pre-harvest tree thinning
Approx 90% of the stone fruit flowers have been pollinated and bees are making their way through the last block of nectarine trees.
The flowers arrived three weeks early at the farm of John and Frieda from Kleuver, west of Casino in northern New South Wales.
"We are seeing consistent flowering this year. We have had inconsistent years in the past, but this year it's absolutely magical," Mr. de Kleuver says.
"I think it was the wet weather we had earlier in the year that actually helped us now, which is good."
John and Frieda de Kleuver have been busy pruning and thinning out their nectarine and peach trees. (ABC Rural: Kim Honan)
The couple were optimistic the conditions would bring a bumper harvest in October.
"We still have a positive spirit and we hope to have a bumper harvest. At this point, all is well," Ms. de Kleuver says.
The European honey bees that originally pollinated belonged to neighbors but went to the orchard every day to collect pollen.
"The bees are all over, and it's beautiful. They're buzzing everywhere. There are thousands of them and thousands," Mr. de Kleuver said.
"They come every day at 10 a.m. once it gets hot, one and they stay until about four afternoon hours, then they go home." data-component="Figure" data-uri="coremedia://imageproxy/101332316">Nectarines and baby flowers at Southview Orchard on Hogarth Range. (ABC Rural: Kim Honan)Busy bees and busy farmers
It's not just bees that are active.
The season is the busiest time of year for de Kleuvers, which begins with winter pruning in July.
After eight to 10 weeks of pruning, it's fruit thinning in September before harvesting in October.
"Once the they're pollinated and they're the size of a fingernail, we just thin them out in two pieces per limb so they end up being the size of a tennis ball or above," Mr. de said. Kleuver.
"T...

Agrotech Aug 18, 2022 0 80 Add to Reading List

Bumper crop of peaches and nectarines expected after successful pollination by bees

On Hogarth Range, the bees are buzzing and the stone fruit trees of Southview Orchard are bursting with pink blossoms.

Key points: Bees have already pollinated 90% of Southview's peach and nectarine trees Orchard John and Frieda de Kleuver are hoping for a bumper crop this year after successful pollination Pruning, the busiest time of year for growers, is followed by pre-harvest tree thinning

Approx 90% of the stone fruit flowers have been pollinated and bees are making their way through the last block of nectarine trees.

The flowers arrived three weeks early at the farm of John and Frieda from Kleuver, west of Casino in northern New South Wales.

"We are seeing consistent flowering this year. We have had inconsistent years in the past, but this year it's absolutely magical," Mr. de Kleuver says.

"I think it was the wet weather we had earlier in the year that actually helped us now, which is good."

A man in a gray jacket has his arm around a woman wearing a cream sweater and hat, they are both standing in an orchard.

The couple were optimistic the conditions would bring a bumper harvest in October.

"We still have a positive spirit and we hope to have a bumper harvest. At this point, all is well," Ms. de Kleuver says.

The European honey bees that originally pollinated belonged to neighbors but went to the orchard every day to collect pollen.

"The bees are all over, and it's beautiful. They're buzzing everywhere. There are thousands of them and thousands," Mr. de Kleuver said.

"They come every day at 10 a.m. once it gets hot, one and they stay until about four afternoon hours, then they go home." data-component="Figure" data-uri="coremedia://imageproxy/101332316"> Three baby nectarines and pink flowers on a tree in an orchard. Nectarines and baby flowers at Southview Orchard on Hogarth Range. (ABC Rural: Kim Honan)Busy bees and busy farmers

It's not just bees that are active.

The season is the busiest time of year for de Kleuvers, which begins with winter pruning in July.

After eight to 10 weeks of pruning, it's fruit thinning in September before harvesting in October.

"Once the they're pollinated and they're the size of a fingernail, we just thin them out in two pieces per limb so they end up being the size of a tennis ball or above," Mr. de said. Kleuver.

"T...