Once the blossom fades on the stone fruit that live in our garden greenhouse, there follows the wait to see whether my bee activities have been successful.
The apricot was the first to flower but after a very floriferous year last year it only produced flowers on two branches. It is, however quality and not quantity that is important and so far it looks as though the few flowers that were produced are going to provide us with a least a taste of apricot. Some small fruitlets have already been shed but the remaining babies are swelling nicely.
The peach and nectarine flowered together and both produced a mass of blossom and so it was a mammoth tasks playing the bee role. No doubt I missed lots of flowers when wielding my pollinating brush but early signs are that some fruits have set.
The tiny peachlets are difficult to focus on but I have given it a go.
If the cluster above all start to swell I will have to bite the bullet and select just one to keep. I really will have to force myself to thin some fruitlets.
The nectarine is at a similar stage.
I do find it strange that baby nectarines are long and thin.
I may have to ease some of the dead petals from some fruitlets to prevent any rotting. Then it will be a case of waiting to see whether any of this promise will yield fruit. We don't ask for much just a few treats will satisfy.
By the way if anyone missed my book review of Joy Larkcom's updated version of The Salad Garden there is a free copy to be given away. You must be resident in the UK and register interest by making a comment on the post here.
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I hope you get your wish for some treats from them. Good luck, Sue
ReplyDeleteThanks, Sue
Deletedid you wear a yellow and black jumper when you were pollenating your fruits Sue.....seriously hope your efforts bear fruit...literally
ReplyDeleteNo, David, I was a fluffy bumble bee.
DeleteLooks like you have done a grand job! Let's hope those babies hang on in there.xxx
ReplyDeleteNow it's up to the tree, Dina
DeleteI was surprised to find a fair few tiny peaches on my outside tree, despite not bothering to hand pollinate it. I raised the crown a bit last year so I'm hoping that at least some of them will avoid the footballs. Fingers crossed. I'd never seen tiny nectarines before, as you say, odd that they are that shape.
ReplyDeleteAt one stage CJ I was accompanied by a bumble bee.
DeleteFresh fruits! I can't wait to see them get ripen!
ReplyDeleteNeither can I, Endah
DeleteWhat a great start!
ReplyDeleteI'm now hoping for a great ending, Belinda
DeleteYou do really well with your stone fruit. I must check my little peach tree and see if anything's happening there. I'm never very successful with it.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with your peach, Jo
DeleteFingers crossed for some tasty fruits this year - I would be happy with one or two nectarines as I have yet to have a taste from the 3 year old tree.
ReplyDeleteWe will be happy with just one or two fruits too, Margaret. So far with the peach we have had two, nectarines only one in a year and apricots have cropped well.
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