Snowball bloom pretty but challenging
A spray of apple blossoms in an orchard near Ephrata. The plethora of apple blossoms could mean a lot of apples in the fall, which would present a challenge to growers.
EPHRATA — It’s a beautiful blossom season out there this year in Washington’s apple country. It’s also an illustration that farming is hard.
There’s still time for people who want to see trees in bloom, although it’s running out. Warm weather the first weekend in April accelerated the process and bloom is early as a result – well, not really, said Karen Lewis, regional specialist in tree fruit production for WSU-Grant/Adams County Extension.
“We’re not early this year compared to last,” Lewis said, Weather conditions were about the same in 2015 and produced the same result, she said. But both 2015 and 2016 are early compared to traditional timelines, she said.
The explosion in varieties produced in Washington means the season starts earlier regardless, Lewis said. Back in the day Washington produced a lot of Red Delicious and Golden Delicious, some Granny Smith and that was about it. “Now we have – 15 different varieties” or more, Lewis said.
The whole growing process is a little different for each variety – Cripps Pink and Cosmic Crisp (WA 38) bloom earlier than Red Delicious or Golden Delicious, Lewis said. That complicates the situation.
“Very florific bloom.” The show is almost over, but there are still spots to see it, she said. “It is well worth the drive from here to Leavenworth.” There are some pretty sights to see around Quincy and Ephrata. “The pear and apple trees are a destination. It’s beautiful.”
Traditionally it’s called a snowball bloom.
The warm weather accelerated the whole process statewide, which meant growers were left scrambling. Bees are a crucial part of the tree fruit production process; for many varieties, they do the pollinating. Normally trees bloom at slightly different times, depending on their location. That gives the bees – actually the beekeepers – time to get around. Not so much in 2016.
A compressed bloom season is what it’s called, and it’s only the beginning. Each of those pretty blossoms potentially is an apple, and that many blooms would be a lot of apples. A whole lot of apples. The tree fruit industry has been around Washington for more than a century, and pretty much everything about raising fruit has changed, but one thing remains the same. Selling a lot of apples was and is a challenge, at least selling them in a way that makes money for the grower.
That means some of those blooms have to go, Lewis said. “The burden is now on the orchard managers and field men (a tree fruit specialist)” to help growers get production down to manageable levels, she said. “Now how do I manage this crop load? That’s a tough job.”
There are spray regimens to do the job, and the industry is developing mechanical means. Or crews actually pick the little tiny apples after the blooms drop, Lewis said.
Cheryl Schweizer can be reached via email at education@columbiabasinherald.com.