Blossom and Fungus around the Orchard

It was a very wet and cold Easter bank holiday. I checked on some of the bees not all, as it was raining and then checked on the trees. Lots of the trees are in bloom and look great.

This week it does seem to be the time where the pear trees are in blooming. Its nice seeing the different varieties in blossom. I have generally planted three of each variety and its easy to see the differences in the blossom from the flowers. This week I had three varieties of pear in bloom in a single line. One variety was much brighter and the blossom much whiter than the other varieties this was the  Durondeau variety of pear. I haven't had much success with some of the pear trees and I'm hoping that this year they will make an impact.

I have also found a number of very small caterpillars on some of the Quince trees they seem to being going after the buds and the leaves. The caterpillars are very small 3/5 mm in size so attracting small birds to nab they may be tricky.

I also found the remains of a rabbit and a bird so it looks like I am attracting some predators.

I also found a strange fungus on the ground it was only under one tree. Anyway took a couple of pictures, perhaps some can let me know what it is.

It was a nice weekend mind

Trees in Blossom

Damson in Bloom

The trees have started to blossom and its a couple of the new plum and some of the older damson trees that are now fully in bloom. Its nice to see the trees with blossom on, its even better to get your nose into the blossom and check out the scents, though not all blossom has a scent. I  have checked the trees and I have noted some new additional rabbit damage, I need to put up large guards around some of the trees. The trees that I protected originally with handmade rabbit guards seem a little small for the job. Those trees are in need for a little  further protection. Five of the rabbit guards had been removed and the bamboo sticks removed, it was close to the entrance and it looks like it may have been children from the livery nearby. I spoke to the kids dad when I saw him and I think he will talk with the kids and that should deter the kids from removing any more.

More Rabbit Damage

Lots of the trees look like they are about to blossom or the leaves have started to open and grow. I may spray an organic pest control, to keep the number of aphids down. I can see lots of ladybirds around but this decision will be made if I feel the aphids are winning.

I still haven't been able to put more manure around the trees and I not sure when I will be able too. I hope over the long weekend, coming up soon.

I didn't water the trees this week but we did have some rain and a little ground frost. We had a good down pouring yesterday, and may get some more over the coming days.

My son was down the orchard with me last weekend and he likes to hang off the fence and swing on it. This weekend he was holding on and went over the fence head first. When he went over I was worried, he might have broken a rib or something, but after a few minutes he was fine. I rushed over and got him to stand up straight way which in hindsight may have been a mistake. If he had hurt something more serious it may have made matters worse. After a couple of minutes he was running around and jumping so we was  fine. He was embraced by the incident and didn't want me to tell his sister.

The bees are and about, I haven't put out any supers yet. I found wax moth larvae in the wax and so am replacing both the wax and the frames. I have also burnt out the supers themselves to kill off anything that might have been around, that includes some viruses.

Started watering the trees and found wax month larve

We started watering the trees on Sunday. Each tree receives about 6.5 - 7 litres of water. Its applied to the tree. This is done my soaking the manure around each tree, which should then trickle down through the compost and soil and into the roots. The idea is that the manure acts as a mulch and retains and releases the water slowly to the trees. The water is applied in the evening as its getting cooler.

Its taking ages and is much harder than I expected it would be, as the hose pipe that was down at the orchard has holes in it and someone's nicked some of the attachments. The hose pipe has been down at the orchard for the past 3 years and now needs replacing. I probably won't leave the replacement on site again.

We wanted to ensure that each tree got an equal measure hence we had bought watering cans so we knew how much water each tree received. The watering can hold 6.5 - 7 litres and we may spill a little, while pouring it into the watering can.

My wife and the kids all helped and they seem to have enjoyed it. It was a hot evening and spraying water around is fun.

More manure has arrived. It's going to take a while to shift, I may even be a little fitter once its all been done.

Checked on the bees. All the bees are fine and I have lost 1 colony over the winter. The colony that I lost was the smallest, I had and in truth it was only 1 frame of bees, it should have been at least 3 frames to get through. They have taken some of the fondant down, but most of it is it on the top of the hive.

I was hoping to start putting the supers on to the hive this week, however I discovered some wax moth lave on the tops of the frames. I have started to burn a layer off the frames. Whist doing this I found more larvae. This was worrying and I think I may lose most of the wax and the bees may have to build more to hold the honey. I should also put some in the hives and do a Bailey comb change. Will let you know how the bees are. This work with the wax needs to be done as soon as possible.

The Almonds are in bloom

2012 Almond Blossom

I visited the orchard and today and what should greet me at the entrance. Both my almond trees are in bloom and its beautiful. The flowers look delicate and once you stick yout nose into the bloosom you can smell it.

2012 Almond Blossom

I check the rest of the trees and all is well. Much of the manure that was put around the trees early on before winter has been sucked ito the ground and has been absorebed well. It has rained twice over the week not much but enough to give the orchard a little sparkle and encorage growth.

Pear tree buds

The buds on the pear trees glow bigger as do the apple buds show below. A couple more weeks perhaps a month and the blossom will be in its full splendour.

Apple tree buds

Almonds or Quince which will bloom first

Quince Buds getting ready to open

 The race is on to see which will come into blossom first the Quince or the Almond. Which ever it is I look forward to it.

Almond buds getting fuller

I was down at the orchard today and found a little more damage on one of the trees. So I put up more rabbit guards. I still have loads of trees to protect and finding the time is difficult at the moment.

I'm not sure which of the trees will blossom first will it be the quince or the almond. The buds on both are growing faster and larger. It has rained once this week and though not a heavy downpour its not enough to nourish the trees properly, but even a little water seems to liven the trees. I'm glad I put the manure down as it does seem to absorb the rain.

My wife and kids were down and helped me to put up the rabbit guards  and they also helped me to search for ladybirds. The kids were very successful and found a number on various trees.


This was a picture of a mushroom that's growing under one of the trees. It was very pretty.

The buds are getting larger

Quince will be Blossoming soon

We had some good rain on Sunday morning, that's the first soaking the trees have had in a couple of weeks. The rain was really welcome. Then last night the temperature dropped to 3C which may have killed off a couple of bugs, but it should really be colder and wetter this time of year. I and lots of other fruit growers are probably hoping for rain.

Pear Buds 

Checked on the trees on Saturday and they all seem fine, no new damage, though I can see hoof prints in some parts of the orchard. No one has told me that any of the horses has managed to get in, but didn't see many people around.

Almond Buds

The bees have started to bring in a yellow pollen probably, willow or something similar but I can't be certain. This is good I still haven't been into the hives just watched the entrances as they come and go. Some of the hives really are a hive of activity while one has been relatively quiet.

The one that’s quiet is the one I topped up with a 12 Kilo block of sugar fondant a couple of weeks ago so they don't really need to go out searching for food yet. I will suit up for the first time this coming weekend if the weather is permitting.

I have ordered my Tickets for this year’s Bee keepers Spring Convention and have looked at some of the lectures on the 20th; I'm going to attend some with my wife.

Looks like the ladybirds have gathered for a  conference 

My daughter managed to fine about 8 ladybirds huddled together over the weekend. Let’s hope they survive and can consume loads of aphids when they start appearing, it looks like its going to be a good year for both species.

The buds are getting larger and I think the Almond trees may burst into flower soon although the quince still look a likely contender.

I went to visit the diary farmer and have put an order in for more manure. It should be with me fairly soon.

Finished rebuilding the withy ring again

Withy Ring 

I have finished rebuilding the withy ring again, with the help of my wife and kids this weekend, even my three year old son was down and wanted to help dig. Many hands make light work and we got holes dugs, piled in the manure, planted the willow. All done in  less than an 1 hr. All good, and they're well protected, from rabbits this time anyway. We still have at least one from the original circle. Thirteen in a nice circle and I may put in more over the next couple of years, let see. The picture was taken from a mobile phone its not the best.

The reports in the news have been about how this year looks likes its going to be a very dry year and so far it seems to be true. I can't remember a February this warm. The trees are doing well and it looks like the Quince trees may be the first to go into blossom this year. The buds are already showing a hint of yellow. However lets wait and see in a couple of weeks.

Small amounts of rabbit damage on a couple of low branches. but generally all well. I may get some more manure from the diary farmer to put around the trees again as the manure has already been sucked down and decomposed into the soil. The manure contains lots of straw and that should retain water, with some additional leaves acting as a mulch. Which may be useful if its going to be a dry year. I have to start planning a head, in case it gets very dry later in the year. I have access to a bore hole and I should be able to give each tree some water probably in the evenings, later in the year. I may have to call in help from friends and family.

Two Bumblebees found in this week

The bees are happy and are flying in and out of the hives and I have see a number of bumblebees around they must be hungry as two managed to get into my kids bag  which contained apples that they like to feed the horses, in the paddock nearby. This is worrying as its only February and I won't expect them out and about this time of year. They must be finding it hard to locate pollen and food for themselves.

Damson Merry Weather King Buds 

I visited Sandwell Valley farm and park over the weekend with the kids. The farm have a great walled garden with loads of fruit trees and I noted that the Damson Merry Weather King looks like it may go into bloom fairly soon.