Pruning An Asian Plum Multigrafted Tree. 12 Apr 24.

 This tree was originally Methley.  When I moved it from Vancouver to Battle Ground, I grafted on a Shiro  Plum from the Vancouver yard too.  Over the years, I added a Beauty Plum and a purple leaf plum for pollenation.

My Asian plums have a very low spreading, umbrella shape with long willowy branches.  Most seem to droop quite low, giving deer a nice salad bar, plus making it difficult to mow.

I've never done a lot to shape and train this tree.  Today I pruned back the lowest branches, shortened the long willowy branches, removed too-low, deer-tempting shoots and spurs, removed some crossing branches and cleared some of the center.

I left some newer branches longer, to tie down and train in the future.

No "Before" shot this time.  I forgot.

Which Apple Varieties Are Blooming Now? Early Bloom Season. 12 Apr 24.

 Apples require cross pollination.  Or the vast majority of them do.  Apple varieties need to bloom together, to cross pollinate.

Varieties in bloom now can pollinate each other.  The exception is that triploid varieties can receive pollen from the more usual diploids,  but triploid pollen is not viable.  So it usually takes two diploids, so they can pollinate each other as well as the triploid. 

The overwhelming majority of apples are diploid.  I mention it here because Gravenstein is triploid.

Blooming heavily now -

Gravenstein.

Redlove Calypso.

Redlove Era.

SummerRed

Zestar.  This is sort of a "Wow" right now.

Columnar Supposedly Tasty Red, but it isn't (Maybe Blushing Delight?)

Also North Pole.

Montmorency Cherry In Bloom. 12 Apr 24.

 This is a great cherry variety for pies.  Really delicious.  This tree has been in this location for 12 years.  I moved it here from the Vancouver house, where I had grown it a few more years.

So far, I haven't needed to prune it much.  The size is fairly compact.  At this height, it also doesn't get any deer protection.  I do hang holographic flash tape to reduce losses from birds.

My parents had a Montmorency cherry tree in their yard, in the 1960s.

Montmorency is a heirloom variety, originating in the Montmorency suburb of France.  Apparently it was developed there in the 1700s or before.

This information is from the Traverse Bay, Michigan cherry website.  

"Montmorency cherries are not just a treat for the taste buds but also offer several health advantages:

• Rich in Antioxidants: They're packed with anthocyanins, which combat oxidative stress.
• Anti-Inflammatory Properties: Consuming these cherries can help reduce inflammation, benefiting those with conditions like joint pain.
• Sleep Aid: They're a natural source of melatonin, which can aid in improving sleep quality.
• Muscle Recovery: Some studies suggest they can help reduce muscle soreness and improve recovery post-exercise.
• Heart Health: They can play a role in improving heart health by helping maintain a healthy cardiovascular system."

Chili Pepper Seedling Update. 12 Apr 24.

 I think the chili peppers look about the best they ever have, for this time of year.

I repotted the Anaheims and Fresnos into larger containers.

The plastic pots go through many re-uses.  At the end of seedling season, they get a thorough washing and are stored nested, so they don't add to any clutter.

Here are all of the chili pepper seedlings.

Unless the weather is bad, they spend all of their day outside in full sun.  They are fully hardened and ready to plant outdoors, once the nights seem reliably above 50 F.  Meanwhile, when dusk arrives, I roll them back indoors.  The get a couple of hours under LEDs in morning and evening as well.

Tomato Seedling Update. 12 Apr 24.

 I'm pretty happy with the tomato seedlings so far.  They are growing their true leaves, nice and dark green.  The original sort of leggy seedlings are looking just as good too.  When I repot them, the leggy part will bender ground to grow more roots anyway.  I think they will thicken up anyway.