Wind howling here also only 48 had some at full bloom last week so Hopi g. But did lose quite a bit back in early April That wind will be taking s lot of petals off the blossomsWe are only supposed to get down to 36 tonight and it's real windy. Almost full bloom on most varieties except Honeycrisp. We didn't get much above 50 all day and the wind was howling. Bees were not up on the trees! :mad:
It's going to be challenging up here this year TC. Not sure how we are going to thin as our king blossoms took a big hit. Some clusters are down to 2's and 3's. Even Carbaryl will be tough to use.
Maya,
Why is it harder to thin when the King is damaged, but the others are coming along in the cluster?
Maya,
When you say wait to very late what do you mean by that? I really really wished I had practiced on one tree this year because I know I will have to thin with Sevin next year. I seem to recall you have to thin before the apples are 11 mm in diameter.
WT, again, there is a lot to it. Read up on it. You can't just practice on one tree. Timing is everything but some varieties thin easier than others. You can thin at several different periods, each one having different effects. Carbaryl being a insecticide should not be used during bloom, but is best used 1 week after (moderate thinning) or 2-3 weeks after petal fall (8-14mm). 15mm+ is a "hail Mary".
For me 1 week would be good as thinning is generally more moderate at that time, but I think I will wait a couple weeks to better assess my needs, even then I will probably be very conservative.
Read up before you chem thin!