Sissipuk in bloom, May 28, 2025
Today in the orchard
It was warm and sunny for the third day in a row. Laura and I sprayed all the apples still in bloom with Blossom Protect, a yeast-like fungi (Aureobasidium pullulansas )designed to protect the trees from fire blight by inducing the flowers to produce an immune response to the attacking fire blight bacteria. This has become increasingly important as fire blight becomes a big challenge for apple growers in Maine. Conventional growers use antibiotics to prevent fire blight, but now antibiotic-resistant fireblight strains have been found in most apple-growing regions of the US. Blossom Protect seems to be one effective alternative. The upcoming rain and continuing warm temps are the conditions fire blight loves. So we spray. Spraying is also a chance to get a look again at every tree. Many are still in full bloom, and the bloom this year has been fantastic. The Black Oxfords, Frostbites, Gray Pearmain, Kavanagh, Milo Gibson, Sweet Sixteen and Tolman Sweet are the standouts right now.
Today’s featured apple is Sissipuk, selected and named by Isabella Preston in 1930. It is thought to be a cross of Niedzwetzkyana and Malus baccata. The flowers and foliage are at peak right now. The fruit size is small but may still be of value. (We'll find the perfect use.)
