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Post by Sandbur on Oct 3, 2022 14:40:41 GMT -6
I have some pink pearl seedlings in the garden. It will be interesting to see how they handle the winter.
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Post by smsmith on Dec 8, 2022 18:53:42 GMT -6
I figured my smaller swamp was frozen up, so I went out to check on a crab that I had top worked to Smitty's last spring. 4 out of 5 bark grafts took and they all are 18-24" or so. With any luck that tree will be producing fruit in a few years.
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Post by smsmith on Mar 3, 2023 13:13:58 GMT -6
I just sent off a big box of Smitty's scions to Ryan at Blue Hill. I don't know when or if he'll have them for sale, but I'm hoping so. I'd like to see the variety preserved and widely propagated.
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Post by benmnwi on Mar 3, 2023 13:16:50 GMT -6
I just sent off a big box of Smitty's scions to Ryan at Blue Hill. I don't know when or if he'll have them for sale, but I'm hoping so. I'd like to see the variety preserved and widely propagated. That variety is currently doing well in Olmsted County MN and Rusk County WI. 75 years from now somebody might check the tree tags and wonder what the hell a Smitty's Seedling is. Or maybe by that time it will be the most popular variety in the upper midwest!
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Post by Sandbur on Mar 3, 2023 14:36:32 GMT -6
I hope to have fruit in a year or two. As a topwork, it took off and grows well.
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Post by smsmith on Mar 3, 2023 18:51:02 GMT -6
I just sent off a big box of Smitty's scions to Ryan at Blue Hill. I don't know when or if he'll have them for sale, but I'm hoping so. I'd like to see the variety preserved and widely propagated. That variety is currently doing well in Olmsted County MN and Rusk County WI. 75 years from now somebody might check the tree tags and wonder what the hell a Smitty's Seedling is. Or maybe by that time it will be the most popular variety in the upper midwest! I'll just be quite happy when/if there are a number of trees out there to ensure the survival of the variety. I don't picture it ever being much of a "sought after" apple, but I do think it's just as good for fresh eating as plenty of grocery store varieties.
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Post by smsmith on Mar 6, 2023 19:27:04 GMT -6
For once I'm impressed with the USPS. When I dropped the scions off on Friday the gal there told me they should be to Ryan on Monday (today). I figured if they were there by Wednesday I'd be lucky.
Ryan emailed a bit ago, they did indeed arrive today. He says they'll be grafted tomorrow.
edit...I heard from a guy near Helena, MT that Smitty's was the fastest growing variety I sent him a couple years ago. I also sent Melba, Collet, Frostbite, and Sweet 16. He's thinking he may get some fruit on at least one Smitty's tree this fall. It's going to be interesting (to me anyway) to hear how the variety does in various locations over the next few years.
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Post by smallchunk on Apr 26, 2023 19:18:33 GMT -6
I would agree, Smitty’s was a very fast growing tree for me too on Dolgo. I think I had three and two of the got girdled by voles in my orchard this winter. One is going to a buddy about 15 minutes away, so I will be able to keep an eye on it!
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Post by nhmountains on May 2, 2023 8:54:23 GMT -6
I would agree, Smitty’s was a very fast growing tree for me too on Dolgo. I think I had three and two of the got girdled by voles in my orchard this winter. One is going to a buddy about 15 minutes away, so I will be able to keep an eye on it! How’s Baby Chunk doing? You doing ok?
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Post by smallchunk on May 7, 2023 12:13:55 GMT -6
I would agree, Smitty’s was a very fast growing tree for me too on Dolgo. I think I had three and two of the got girdled by voles in my orchard this winter. One is going to a buddy about 15 minutes away, so I will be able to keep an eye on it! How’s Baby Chunk doing? You doing ok? All is good around here. Baby chunk #2 due early August!
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Post by honker on May 7, 2023 18:16:01 GMT -6
How’s Baby Chunk doing? You doing ok? All is good around here. Baby chunk #2 due early August! not wasting anytime in chunk’s house! Congratulations!
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Post by smsmith on Jul 24, 2023 18:06:11 GMT -6
Ryan at Bluehill tells me he's got a bunch of Smitty's grafted on Antonovka. I don't know if he'll be selling them next year, or if he sells two year old stock.
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Post by Sandbur on Jul 24, 2023 19:29:23 GMT -6
Ryan at Bluehill tells me he's got a bunch of Smitty's grafted on Antonovka. I don't know if he'll be selling them next year, or if he sells two year old stock. My graft has grown exceptionally fast. I would need to check the label and see which rootstock.
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Post by smallchunk on Jul 25, 2023 8:28:51 GMT -6
The ones I grafted to Dolgo last year are pushing 8’. Very vigorous grower!
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Post by smsmith on Jul 25, 2023 11:21:08 GMT -6
The ones I grafted to Dolgo last year are pushing 8’. Very vigorous grower! Any CAR, scab, powdery mildew, frogeye spot, or any other disease/issue you've identified? I'm interested to read/hear about how the variety does in places other than here. If it grows as cleanly in OH, NC, DE, CT, other eastern/disease prone areas as it does here, that will be rather surprising to me. I've been surprised at how much frogeye spot I've got this year. Seems weird given the drought. I've started wondering if hawthorn is a possible reservoir of disease.
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