- Age Many varieties need to be at least 3-4 years old before becoming productive.
- Alternate Bearing A cycle in which the tree bears excessively one year and little the next. Thinning the immature fruit can improve alternate bearing.
- Frost Though frost is generally not an issue in our mild climate, it can affect fruiting if a late frost occurs at blooming time.
- Pruning With improper pruning, all fruiting wood could be cut off. Different fruit trees require different pruning techniques. A great resource for pruning instructions and general orchard care can be found at the following web site:
- Chilling Always choose the right variety for your climate. Trees with too high of a chill requirement will not produce in mild climates. Areas such as Agoura, Monte Nido, and parts of Westlake can grow higher chill requirement trees.
- Location Choose your planting carefully. Be sure the area isn’t too windy. Chilling hours can also be affected if the tree is planted too close to a building that has warmed up from the sun during the day and retains the heat.
CHILLING HOURS
Chilling refers to the number of hours 45 degrees and under during the dormant period. All fruit and nut trees need a specific amount of chilling hours before they will produce fruit. The amount varies with each variety and the hours need not be continuous.
Mild areas which include most of Los Angeles and the beach areas should choose varieties with the lowest chilling hours, less than 300. Most of our local area, including Woodland Hills, Calabasas, Thousand Oaks and Westlake can choose varieties that require less than 500 hours. The coldest valley areas including parts of Agoura, Monte Nido and other chilly microclimates can experiment with the higher chill varieties, though there is no guarantee that the temperatures required for fruit production will be met.
PRUNING
Peaches, Plums, Apricots, Apples, Berries and Grapes each require slightly different pruning techniques to encourage the best fruit production. A great resource for pruning instructions and general orchard care can be found at the following web site:
POLLINATION
With the exception of just a few indicated varieties, most of our fruit tree selection is ‘self-fruitful’. The ‘self-fruitful’ varieties do not require pollinizing from another variety and should produce enough fruit for the home orchard.
PESTS & DISEASES
If you have had trouble with insects, such as mites, scale, mealybug or whitefly on your fruit trees, try using an oil spray such as All Seasons Spray Oil or Ortho® Volck during the dormant season to destroy overwintering insects and their eggs. Also, keep the area around the tree clean and tidy by discarding any fallen leaves or debris.
For common diseases such as Peach Leaf Curl on Peaches and Nectarines and Shot Hole Fungus on Plums, try Copper Fungicidal Garden Spray during the dormant season. Copper Spray may also be used on Grapes and for fireblight on Pears and Apples.
As with all chemicals, always read and follow the manufacturers directions before application.