TODAY IN THE ORCHARD

Topworked graft with compromised foliage

Today I spent time in the Nursery weeding the two year old trees that were grafted in 2023. Keeping on top of the weeds in the nursery is a key summer activity as weeds can overwhelm the young trees in a week or two. I was aided by my friend Bill Kelley who was up for the weekend from Boston. Despite the heat, we got a lot done while solving all the world’s problems in the process. I’m concerned about the young growth on a number of the newly topworked trees. Some leaves are turning brown while others are curling. This does not appears to be fire blight. My best guess is that it’s the result of a combination of a lot of abnormal heat combined with a lot of moisture. I do not think it has anything to do with the quality of the scionwood or the grafting.