Fruit Blossom at the National Fruit Collection

Nana, sour cherry

This year, again, we are very grateful to Lorinda Jewsbury for the flowering dates for the apples, pears, cherries and plums growing in the National Fruit Collections at Brogdale in Kent, UK

27^th April 2023

The cool spring weather has produced a bit of a slow start to the flowering at Brogdale this year, with a touch of frost damage seen on the early plum varieties.  However, flowering in the orchards is now underway (the plums are mostly over) and, with the temperatures on the rise for the coming Bank Holiday weekend, it will be a busy time out there in early May.

Early-flowering plums may be further impacted by the cool weather as a lack of pollinators in early spring is likely to affect fruit numbers on these varieties.  To add to this, the past winter at Brogdale was relatively mild and this has led to high levels of SWD (spotted wing drosphila) now being seen in the orchards.  This small fly targets soft fruit (cherry and plum at Brogdale), laying eggs in developing fruit and damaging the crop.  Hopefully we won’t see too much damage from them this year, but we will continue to monitor its numbers in the orchards.

On a good note, flowering in the pears has been a great improvement on last year (which saw very light flowering on a number of varieties) and the hope is for a better crop in 2023.

 

27 April 2023

PLUM

Cambridge Gage:  4^th April (10% open); 7^th April (full flower); 21^st April (90% petal fall)

Czar:  5^th April (10% open); 7^th April (full flower); 19^th April (90% petal fall)

Denniston’s Superb (Imperial Gage):  31^st March (10% open); 2^nd April (full flower); 12^th April (90% petal fall)

Farleigh Damson:  6^th April (10% open); 8^th April (full flower); 18^th April (90% petal fall)

Marjorie’s Seedling:   10^th April (10% open); 13^th April (full flower); 23^rd April (90% petal fall)

Oullins Gage:   3^rd April (10% open); 7^th April (full flower); 16^th April (90% petal fall)

Pershore Yellow Egg:   6^th April (10% open); 8^th April (full flower); 21^st April (90% petal fall)

Victoria:   7^th April (10% open); 9^th April (full flower); 20^th April (90% petal fall)

 

PEAR

Concorde:  22^nd April (10% open); 25^th April (full flower);

Conference:   18^th April (10% open); 22^nd April (full flower);

Doyenne du Comice:  24^th April (10% open); 27^th April (full flower);

Louise Bonne of Jersey:  8^th April (10% open); 11^th April (full flower); 23^rd April (90% petal fall)

 

CHERRY

Early Rivers:  16^th April (10% open); 20^th April (full flower);

Hertford: 26^th April (10% open);

Lapins:  15^th April (10% open); 19^th April (full flower);

Merchant: 26^th April (10% open);

Stella:

Sunburst:

 

APPLE

Blenheim Orange:

Bramley’s Seedling:

Cox’s Orange Pippin:

Crawley Beauty:

Discovery:

Egremont Russet:

Falstaff:

Feuillemorte:

Fiesta/Red Pippin:

Gala:

James Grieve:

Jonagold:

Meridian:

Red Astrachan: 17^th April (10% open); 20^th April (full flower);

St. Edmund’s Pippin: 25^th April (10% open);

Worcester Pearmain:

______________________

4 May 2023

PLUM

Cambridge Gage:  4^th April (10% open); 7^th April (full flower); 21^st April (90% petal fall)

Czar:  5^th April (10% open); 7^th April (full flower); 19^th April (90% petal fall)

Denniston’s Superb (Imperial Gage):  31^st March (10% open); 2^nd April (full flower); 12^th April (90% petal fall)

Farleigh Damson:  6^th April (10% open); 8^th April (full flower); 18^th April (90% petal fall)

Marjorie’s Seedling:   10^th April (10% open); 13^th April (full flower); 23^rd April (90% petal fall)

Oullins Gage:   3^rd April (10% open); 7^th April (full flower); 16^th April (90% petal fall)

Pershore Yellow Egg:   6^th April (10% open); 8^th April (full flower); 21^st April (90% petal fall)

Victoria:   7^th April (10% open); 9^th April (full flower); 20^th April (90% petal fall)

 

PEAR

Concorde:  22^nd April (10% open); 25^th April (full flower);

Conference:   18^th April (10% open); 22^nd April (full flower);

Doyenne du Comice:  24^th April (10% open); 27^th April (full flower);

Louise Bonne of Jersey:  8^th April (10% open); 11^th April (full flower); 23^rd April (90% petal fall)

 

CHERRY

Early Rivers:  16^th April (10% open); 20^th April (full flower);

Hertford: 26^th April (10% open); 30^th April (full flower);

Lapins:  15^th April (10% open); 19^th April (full flower); 3^rd May (90% petal fall)

Merchant: 26^th April (10% open); 29^th April (full flower);

Stella: 28^th April (10% open); 30^th April (full flower);

Sunburst: 28^th April (10% open); 30^th April (full flower);

 

APPLE

Blenheim Orange:

Bramley’s Seedling: 3^rd May (10% open);

Cox’s Orange Pippin: 4^th May (10% open);

Crawley Beauty:

Discovery: 2^nd May (10% open); 4^th May (full flower);

Egremont Russet: 27^th April (10% open); 30^th April (full flower);

Falstaff: 3^rd May (10% open);

Feuillemorte:

Fiesta/Red Pippin: 3^rd May (10% open);

Gala: 2^nd May (10% open); 5^th May (full flower);

James Grieve: 30^th April (10% open); 3^rd May (full flower);

Jonagold:

Meridian: 30^th April (10% open); 3^rd May (full flower);

Red Astrachan: 17^th April (10% open); 20^th April (full flower);

St. Edmund’s Pippin: 25^th April (10% open); 29^th April (full flower);

Worcester Pearmain:

_____________________

19 May 2023

PLUM

Cambridge Gage:  4^th April (10% open); 7^th April (full flower); 21^st April (90% petal fall)

Czar:  5^th April (10% open); 7^th April (full flower); 19^th April (90% petal fall)

Denniston’s Superb (Imperial Gage):  31^st March (10% open); 2^nd April (full flower); 12^th April (90% petal fall)

Farleigh Damson:  6^th April (10% open); 8^th April (full flower); 18^th April (90% petal fall)

Marjorie’s Seedling:   10^th April (10% open); 13^th April (full flower); 23^rd April (90% petal fall)

Oullins Gage:   3^rd April (10% open); 7^th April (full flower); 16^th April (90% petal fall)

Pershore Yellow Egg:   6^th April (10% open); 8^th April (full flower); 21^st April (90% petal fall)

Victoria:   7^th April (10% open); 9^th April (full flower); 20^th April (90% petal fall)

 

PEAR

Concorde:  22^nd April (10% open); 25^th April (full flower); 8^th May (90% petal fall)

Conference:   18^th April (10% open); 22^nd April (full flower); 6^th May (90% petal fall)

Doyenne du Comice:  24^th April (10% open); 27^th April (full flower); 6^th May (90% petal fall)

Louise Bonne of Jersey:  8^th April (10% open); 11^th April (full flower); 23^rd April (90% petal fall)

 

CHERRY

Early Rivers:  16^th April (10% open); 20^th April (full flower); 6^th May (90% petal fall)

Hertford: 26^th April (10% open); 30^th April (full flower); 6^th May (90% petal fall)

Lapins:  15^th April (10% open); 19^th April (full flower); 3^rd May (90% petal fall)

Merchant: 26^th April (10% open); 29^th April (full flower); 9^th May (90% petal fall)

Stella: 28^th April (10% open); 30^th April (full flower); 9^th May (90% petal fall)

Sunburst: 28^th April (10% open); 30^th April (full flower); 8^th May (90% petal fall)

 

APPLE

Blenheim Orange: 5^th May (10% open); 7^th May (full flower); 14^th May (90% petal fall)

Bramley’s Seedling: 3^rd May (10% open); 6^th May (full flower); 20^th May (90% petal fall)

Cox’s Orange Pippin: 4^th May (10% open); 6^th May (full flower); 14^th May (90% petal fall)

Crawley Beauty:

Discovery: 2^nd May (10% open); 4^th May (full flower); 16^th May (90% petal fall)

Egremont Russet: 27^th April (10% open); 30^th April (full flower); 9^th May (90% petal fall)

Falstaff: 3^rd May (10% open); 5^th May (full flower); 18^th May (90% petal fall)

Feuillemorte:

Fiesta/Red Pippin: 3^rd May (10% open); 5^th May (full flower); 16^th May (90% petal fall)

Gala: 2^nd May (10% open); 5^th May (full flower); 14^th May (90% petal fall)

James Grieve: 30^th April (10% open); 3^rd May (full flower);

Jonagold: 5^th May (10% open); 8^th May (full flower); 16^th May (90% petal fall)

Meridian: 30^th April (10% open); 3^rd May (full flower); 17^th May (90% petal fall)

Red Astrachan: 17^th April (10% open); 20^th April (full flower); 7^th May (90% petal fall)

St. Edmund’s Pippin: 25^th April (10% open); 29^th April (full flower); 8^th May (90% petal fall)

Worcester Pearmain: 5^th May (10% open); 7^th May (full flower); 19^th May (90% petal fall)

_________________

26 May 2023

Just an update for the apple James Grieve this time, as we’re still waiting on Crawley Beauty and Feuillemorte.

PLUM

Cambridge Gage:  4^th April (10% open); 7^th April (full flower); 21^st April (90% petal fall)

Czar:  5^th April (10% open); 7^th April (full flower); 19^th April (90% petal fall)

Denniston’s Superb (Imperial Gage):  31^st March (10% open); 2^nd April (full flower); 12^th April (90% petal fall)

Farleigh Damson:  6^th April (10% open); 8^th April (full flower); 18^th April (90% petal fall)

Marjorie’s Seedling:   10^th April (10% open); 13^th April (full flower); 23^rd April (90% petal fall)

Oullins Gage:   3^rd April (10% open); 7^th April (full flower); 16^th April (90% petal fall)

Pershore Yellow Egg:   6^th April (10% open); 8^th April (full flower); 21^st April (90% petal fall)

Victoria:   7^th April (10% open); 9^th April (full flower); 20^th April (90% petal fall)

 

PEAR

Concorde:  22^nd April (10% open); 25^th April (full flower); 8^th May (90% petal fall)

Conference:   18^th April (10% open); 22^nd April (full flower); 6^th May (90% petal fall)

Doyenne du Comice:  24^th April (10% open); 27^th April (full flower); 6^th May (90% petal fall)

Louise Bonne of Jersey:  8^th April (10% open); 11^th April (full flower); 23^rd April (90% petal fall)

 

CHERRY

Early Rivers:  16^th April (10% open); 20^th April (full flower); 6^th May (90% petal fall)

Hertford: 26^th April (10% open); 30^th April (full flower); 6^th May (90% petal fall)

Lapins:  15^th April (10% open); 19^th April (full flower); 3^rd May (90% petal fall)

Merchant: 26^th April (10% open); 29^th April (full flower); 9^th May (90% petal fall)

Stella: 28^th April (10% open); 30^th April (full flower); 9^th May (90% petal fall)

Sunburst: 28^th April (10% open); 30^th April (full flower); 8^th May (90% petal fall)

 

APPLE

Blenheim Orange: 5^th May (10% open); 7^th May (full flower); 14^th May (90% petal fall)

Bramley’s Seedling: 3^rd May (10% open); 6^th May (full flower); 20^th May (90% petal fall)

Cox’s Orange Pippin: 4^th May (10% open); 6^th May (full flower); 14^th May (90% petal fall)

Crawley Beauty:

Discovery: 2^nd May (10% open); 4^th May (full flower); 16^th May (90% petal fall)

Egremont Russet: 27^th April (10% open); 30^th April (full flower); 9^th May (90% petal fall)

Falstaff: 3^rd May (10% open); 5^th May (full flower); 18^th May (90% petal fall)

Feuillemorte:

Fiesta/Red Pippin: 3^rd May (10% open); 5^th May (full flower); 16^th May (90% petal fall)

Gala: 2^nd May (10% open); 5^th May (full flower); 14^th May (90% petal fall)

James Grieve: 30^th April (10% open); 3^rd May (full flower); 21^st May (90% petal fall)

Jonagold: 5^th May (10% open); 8^th May (full flower); 16^th May (90% petal fall)

Meridian: 30^th April (10% open); 3^rd May (full flower); 17^th May (90% petal fall)

Red Astrachan: 17^th April (10% open); 20^th April (full flower); 7^th May (90% petal fall)

St. Edmund’s Pippin: 25^th April (10% open); 29^th April (full flower); 8^th May (90% petal fall)

Worcester Pearmain: 5^th May (10% open); 7^th May (full flower); 19^th May (90% petal fall)

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Distinctive Pear Tree

Ancient re-worked pear tree in Kent

Kent has fruit growing areas on suitable soils in North Kent, the High Weald and along the Greensand (Kentish ragstone) scarp slope which runs east / west through the centre of the county.  The Greensand slopes are currently being planted with extensive orchards and soft fruit as it is on the spring line and irrigation reservoirs are easily formed to catch the spring water.  

I have been helping with the restoration of an ancient farmhouse and its grounds for four years or so and a lot of earth moving has been necessary due to soil slip on the spring line.  Luckily we have been able to save some of the trees in the now old orchards.  There are three standard pear trees amongst the Worcester Pearmain and Red Bramley apples.  Two are rather small but one is much larger and when I saw it in fruit this early October I was surprised to see that there were two completely distinctive cultivars on the two main branches.  One is pale green, to pale yellow for the windfalls, and the other is a flattish shape with a dark brown russet all round. 

I had no idea that double grafting with different cultivars was such an old practice, or could this be a young tree which was reworked with a new cultivar but the old one grew away too?

Tom La Dell

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Old Pear Tree: how to identify the variety and conserve it?

Louise Bonne of Jersey pear used to be planted all over Britain. It arose before 1780 in Normandy and came to England via Jersey in 1820.

We have a very large pear tree on an allotment site in York. It is similar in size to the one on your blog and looks fantastic when in flower. We are wondering how to age it and find out what variety it is. The allotment site dates from 1917 and the pear tree is next to a footpath, which is shown on maps from 1850s but could be present much earlier. The allotment tenant is not very keen on the tree as a lot of the fruit falls from such a great height and is wasted. We hope to find out if the tree has historical significance and plan to help with picking the fruit too. Can you give us any advice?

Sara Robin

 

 

Hessle pear, which arose in the village of Hessle near Hull, Yorks; first recorded 1827.

 

Fruit identification sessions for apples and pears are held all over the country during September and October.

You can turn to the fruit books for descriptions of varieties and submit samples of leaves for DNA fingerprinting.

In Yorkshire, Royal Horticultural Society Garden Harlow Carr, near Harrogate, has fruit identification days and the Northern Fruit Group holds sessions and gives advice.

Brogdale Collections at Brogdale, home of the National Fruit Collection, identifies fruit by post.

There are a number of reference books you could use:

The Book of Pears by Joan Morgan (2015), illustrated by Elisabeth Dowle and the companion website with photographs of nearly 500 varieties in the Directory section:  https://www.thebookofpears.fruitforum.net

Pears by Jim Arbury (1997), illustrations by Sally Pinhey

Handbook of Hardy Fruits (1920) vol. I, by Edward Bunyard

The Fruit Manual by Robert Hogg, 1884, reprinted 2002

Apple and pear varieties can also be identified by DNA fingerprinting using the leaves, see Fruit ID website

Fruit Forum

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Fruit Blossom 2017

Early Rivers cherry at the National Fruit Collection, Kent.

As we have done for a number of years, we publish the flowering dates for the National Fruit Collection at Brogdale, Kent, undertaken and kindly supplied by Lorinda Jewsbury. These are the records for a selection of varieties (standards and any new accessions) from all the tree fruit collections at Brogdale.

An early start to the warm weather has really brought on the flowering for this year, as I’m sure you’re aware. The plums are roughly a couple of weeks earlier compared to last year. As an example, Victoria was in full bloom this year on 30^th March – earlier than the 10^th April noted for last year; the current 10 year mean (the average full bloom date) for Victoria is 8^th April.

Although a number of the cherries in the Collection have yet to come into flower, the earlier varieties, again, have responded to the warm weather and Lapins reached full bloom on the 2nd April. It was the 23^rd April last year and Lapins’ 10-year mean is 16^th April.

The pear orchard is a sea of white once more as the trees have responded to the temperatures. Louise Bonne of Jersey, one of the early flowerers in the Pear Collection, was in full bloom on the 30th March. Last year saw it at full bloom on the 15th April, pretty much spot on for its average of 14th April.

The apples are just setting off and, of the early flowerers, Red Astrachan and Stark’s Earliest are already in full bloom. There is still a way to go yet with the Apple Collection and with the weather forecast to be a little cooler after the weekend there may be a fair gap this year between the early and late flowering varieties.

Lorinda Jewsbury

2017

PLUM

Cambridge Gage: 29^th March (10% open); 30^th March (full flower);

Czar: 20^th March (10% open); 26^th March (full flower);

Denniston’s Superb (Imperial Gage): 22^nd March (10% open); 24^th March (full flower);

Farleigh Damson: 25^th March (10% open); 28^th March (full flower);

Marjorie’s Seedling: 30^th March (10% open); 1^st April (full flower);

Oullins Gage: 28^th March (10% open); 30^th March (full flower);

Pershore Yellow Egg: 26^th March (10% open); 28^th March (full flower);

Victoria: 28^th March (10% open); 30^th March (full flower);

 

PEAR

Concorde: 5^th April (10% open);

Conference: 2^nd April (10% open); 5^th April (full flower);

Doyenné du Comice: 3^rd April (10% open); 5^th April (full flower);

Louise Bonne of Jersey: 28^th March (10% open); 30^th March (full flower);

 

CHERRY

Early Rivers: 30^th March (10% open); 2^nd April (full flower);

Hertford: 3^rd April (10% open);

Lapins: 30^th March (10% open); 2^nd April (full flower);

Merchant: 4^th April (10% open);

Stella: 5^th April (10% open);

Sunburst:

 

APPLE

Blenheim Orange:

Bramley’s Seedling:

Cox’s Orange Pippin:

Crawley Beauty:

Discovery:

Egremont Russet:

Falstaff:

Feuillemorte:

Fiesta/Red Pippin:

Gala:

James Grieve:

Jonagold:

Meridian:

Red Astrachan: 31^st March (10% open); 2^nd April (full flower);

St. Edmund’s Pippin:

Worcester Pearmain:

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