Compatibility explained
The details matter for optimising yields and quality in pome and stone fruit. By Anna Mouton. Pollination is essential for fruit set in most pome and stone fruit. The transfer of pollen to the stigma is the first step toward…
Cross-pollinator considerations
How to think about cross-pollination when planning orchards. By Anna Mouton. Effective cross-pollination is crucial for maximising productivity of self-incompatible deciduous-fruit orchards over their lifetime. This article shares insights on cross-pollinator selection and management from horticultural adviser and plant breeder…
Five factors affecting fruit set
Expert advice on getting the best out of your Japanese plums. By Anna Mouton. The past season was remarkable for the disastrous set in certain Japanese plum cultivars in some areas, most notably the Breede River Valley and Klein Karoo…
Ten tips for pollination success
Cross-pollination by honeybees is a prerequisite for setting many pome- and stone-fruit cultivars. How can growers take control of this process? By Anna Mouton. There’s no recipe for perfect pollination — growers need to fine-tune their practices according to the…
The fundamentals of fruit set
What does it take to get from blossom to bin? By Anna Mouton. Technical input by Prof. Karen Theron, Chair in Applied Preharvest Deciduous Fruit Research at Stellenbosch University. Fruit set is that hopeful moment when the base of a…