Use of training systems which expose fruitlets to the full sunlight, such as Tatura or other trellis systems will also improve cell division.
- Prune and train trees so as to optimise exposure of fruits to light and achieve good colour development
- In UK conditions it is essential to ensure that young developing fruitlets and the leaf canopy which supports their expansion and growth are well exposed to sunlight. This is achieved by judicious use of pruning and training techniques.
Irrespective of the scion variety, the rootstock or the system of pruning and training chosen, it is vital in all instances to ensure good light penetration into the canopy and good exposure of the fruits to light throughout the growing season and especially in the weeks prior to ripening.
- Prune and train trees so as to maintain a balance of flowering spurs and new extension shoot growth.
- Stimulate growth on trees producing too little extension growth by making a few severe cuts back to vegetative buds in positions where new shoots/branches are desired.
- On trees with excessive shoot growth, reduce this by training shoots to the horizontal (or lower)
- Where summer shoot growth results in shading of fruitlets and poor fruit colour at harvest use summer pruning techniques to open up the tree canopy and expose the developing fruitlets to better light conditions.
- The need for summer pruning indicates that tree vigour is too strong.
- Review pruning and tree management and consider ways to reduce growth.
- On varieties such as Gala, prune so as to encourage the production of medium strong wood and reduce the production of weak ‘wispy’ shoots, which give rise to small fruits.