By John Emett – Grower Services, Just Avocados.
Pollination is well and truly over now, and grower focus needs to shift to the emerging crop.
Fruitset in the Mid and Far North is looking promising and initial set around pollenisers is heavier. The cold spell in the Bay of Plenty has resulted in patchy set, but it is still early.
Making an initial crop assessment and adjusting your fertiliser programme to suit is important. Fertigation and solid fertiliser applications should be made in accordance with new fruitset and the amount of new flush emerging.
With the regular rainfall over the past couple of months, trees are flushing quite hard. Have a look at the size of newly maturing leaves. If they are large (and some orchards are like this) watch the amount of nitrogen fertiliser you are applying. Early December is a good time to take a leaf test and make changes if required.
Now is an important time to apply regular copper as the fruitlets quickly size and continual coverage is important.
Application of mulch, compost, and soil stimulants is timely; however, check your roots for signs of new root extension before applying anything.
Don’t forget about any newly planted trees. Look out for any pest damage, strong shoots that need removing, watering, and weed control.
Irrigation checks should be completed. Monitoring of soil moisture meters will dictate watering frequency.
Other tasks to take care of at this time of year are pruning back pollenisers, aiming for a single leader approach, and thinning out any tip shoots on stag horned trees in your block.
If you have any questions about this information or need assistance with your crop, please contact your local Just Avocados representative, John Emett – john@justavocados.co.nz.