Orchard visit: Steve Thomas & Sonia Olykan, Lincoln

Organic walnut orchard

In 2020 – just before the first Covid lockdown – Steve and Sonia took over this walnut orchard that is approaching maturity. The shelter was planted in 2000 and the walnuts were planted from 2003-2007 using the two main crop varieties preferred in Canterbury: Rex and Meyric.

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Orchard visit: Mike & Kathy Davenport, Rolleston

Mike and Kathy’s orchard of 1000 trees was planted in 2006 and the management regime has evolved over time. From their early approach of regular fertiliser and “delicate” pruning to maximise crop, Mike now considers the orchard an amenity rather than a business and manages it accordingly.

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Lincoln University trial block: plant growth and development

The weekend started at Lincoln University. Clive Kaiser, who has recently been appointed Associate Professor of Horticulture, talked us through plant responses to pruning and the influence of growth hormones and environmental factors.

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The Highs and Lows of High Density Orchards

Reproduced from 2018 Growers Handbook: Nut Growers Society of Oregon, Washington & British Columbia – 103rd Annual Meeting, January 18 2018, pp85-89

A panel discussion with Jeff Newton, Lance Kirk and Rich Birkmeier. Moderated by Jeff Choate (OSU Extension)

Summary (HGA editor)

US orchardists have been experimenting with double density planting since the 1970s. Trees are planted more closely together than the intended final spacing, to increase per-hectare yields while the trees are still growing to mature size. The temporary trees are removed once the trees start to grow together.

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