High-Chill Apples in Low-Chill Orange County

Tom Spellman and Phil Pursel take you on a tour of a two year old test block of apple trees planted at the South Coast Field Station in Irvine, California. All high chill apple varieties, rated from 500 to 1100 chill hours, that shouldn't be fruiting in Irvine. Can Tom's apple experiment finally dispel the myth of apple chill?

[@danihall3676]

We're growing high chill apples in coastal Central Florida and people think we're nuts, but they're healthy and thriving beautifully in heat, bugs, and humidity! I follow tropical apple culture from Africa. Plants are amazing!

[@DaveWilsonTrees]

Awesome! What are your standout varieties?

[@helpisonthewaytutoring4259]

I'm in Florida as well and am thinking about adding a high chill variety to my two low chill ones. Which have been the most successful for you? Also trying to follow the "for thr tropics" method.

[@danigirl6680]

@@helpisonthewaytutoring4259 We are growing pink lady and granny smith. Unfortunately, my granny smith has blight, but we're working through that. Our pink lady is still healthy. I'm also considering a William's pride in the future as I've heard good things about it producing in warmer climates.

[@tggardeners404]

​@@DaveWilsonTrees the temperature of my area does not fall below 10 degree Celsius is it possible to grow Anna Apple?

[@mrminer071166]

Here's Kevin Hauser's comments on this apple experiment. TL;DR: ""Dixie Red Delight, Golden Russet, Red Fuji, Sierra Beauty, and Belle de Boskoop blew your head off. The hand’s-down favorite was Hudson’s Golden Gem, and exceptional flavor and crunch. By the end of the morning most of the pruning was done and we all ended up with bags of apples to take home."" =============================================== Tom Spellman from Dave Wilson Nursery held a pruning day at the high chill apple orchard in Orange County at UC Irvine’s South Coast Field Station, made famous by the KZbin video kzbin.info/www/bejne/pZqodnuIm6Z4jbs My wife and I were invited, along with about 15 Master Gardeners and members from the Orange County chapter of the California Rare Fruit Grower group. This orchard has 30 varieties of apples listed between 800-1,000 hours of chill requirement, specifically: Yellow Newtown Pippin Bramley Seedling Ashmead’s Kernel Melrose Belle de Boskoop Waltana Hudson’s Golden Gem King of Tompkins County Mutsu Golden Russet Arkansas Black Gravenstein Cox’s Orange Pippin Sierra Beauty Liberty Jonagold Akane Honeycrisp Snow Golden Delicious Empire Zestar Scarlet Sentinel Red Fuji North Pole Braeburn Tom had told me previously that he had a good fruit set despite lack of thinning, but we were all shocked at the size, quality, and quantity of apples still left on the trees, not to mention the pile on the ground under each tree. This orchard is 10 miles from the beach, next to the Orange County Great Park, the former El Toro MCAS, and surrounded by avocado groves on two sides. This research station is used mostly for testing semi tropic crops like dragon fruit, avocado, cherimoya, and persimmon, and is watered exclusively with reclaimed irrigation (much to the stress of the avocados). It gets at the most 200 chilling hours, and last winter was extremely warm. Once we got past the New Year’s Day freeze (8” of snow killing thousands of avocados in Temecula), we had weeks straight of temps in the 80s and 90s through February. We had a lot of work to do and not much time, and so we started pruning immediately, grabbing what apples we could out of the branches and off the ground. Some were past their prime this being January and all, but Dixie Red Delight, Golden Russet, Red Fuji, Sierra Beauty, and Belle de Boskoop blew your head off. The hand’s-down favorite was Hudson’s Golden Gem, and exceptional flavor and crunch. By the end of the morning most of the pruning was done and we all ended up with bags of apples to take home. There are two trees of each variety, and they didn’t get a lot of training while growing. An eastern transplant to the field station who had extensive apple experience at WSU had recommended to Tom that he convert the trees to tall spindle, which I concurred, and so he decided to convert over one of each of the two trees per variety, and the other one to remain an open vase shape as to preserve some production for next season. He also resolved to thin the fruit hard this spring for the best size. The orchard could have easily supported a roadside stand, if it wasn’t situated in a highly developed area of Orange County on land probably worth hundreds of millions of dollars (2BR 1 BA single story homes start at $1 million). Being this close to the ocean, high temperatures are moderated to a max high of about 105F, but lows rarely get below 40F. It was interesting to compare the apples here with the ones at my house farther inland in Riverside. Braeburn and Ashmead’s Kernel turn to mush in our heat, but in the moderate climate of Irvine they were both fantastic. I also have one tiny Arkansas Black tree that never produced, but the two trees of it in Irvine were loaded, showing that it isn’t the lack of chill that’s preventing mine from bearing. I supplied some of the scionwood to establish the orchard, and so it wasn’t a surprise to me that the trees were bearing, but I was surprised at the crop load so early in the M111’s lifetime. The farming conditions there are perfect; a deep sandy loam with good fertility, no pests or disease, no frost, and timed irrigation. Tom had been discouraged by DWN staff and the Field Station management from trying this experiment, as all said it would result in embarrassing failure. I remarked that this is why most low-chill apple research is done by private individuals, who do not face ridicule or loss of funding if a trial doesn’t work out. I run into the same thing with Tropic universities, with much of the research done and risk taken by poor tropic farmers rather than academia or government organizations. The staff at the field station and the researcher from back East are bowled over by the results of the orchard. I’m thankful to Tom for both the visit to the orchard, and also to the load of scionwood for our Uganda nursery he generously granted. DWN in general has been hugely supportive of the Africa nursery project, and I’ve freely shared the results of our low chill trials and recommendations for new varieties for their lineup.

[@bobnewhart4318]

Thank you

[@daisyblooms4813]

Thanks for the great info!

[@beebeebeeleaves9767]

This is great info! More options, means more diverse plantings in our neighborhoods. Exciting work, thank you!

[@mihacurk]

Thank you very much for sharing this project with us! Here in central Europe we don't have this kind of problems but it is so interesting to hear about it! Kep up the good work!

[@gogogardener]

I appreciate explanation of tree irrigation. That's my weak point in my garden and orchard. Keep that info coming please!

[@johnlord8337]

10* Glad to hear about this. Lived in Irvine area, and now SanFran, so happy to see same comments about my WA state and ability to expand apple territory.

[@dezertXer]

nice videos. thank you for what you do. my family has many of your trees.

[@cedricmoore8991]

This is an amazing video.

[@mikebucket1658]

So... Comparing apples in Orange? Love it.

[@charlesburns1572]

I LOVE this idea. I can't wait to see more of your results. I've been doing some informal trials with some carefully selected (and uncommonly grown) varieties down here in Texas. Out of curiosity, how many of each variety did you elect to grow for your study (i.e. to confirm that your Gravenstein results aren't a fluke and to provide central tendencies for yields and other quality measures)? Only one thing really bothered me all throughout the video (you mentioned it briefly): Too much bare soil. Best wishes. Thanks for this exciting video! I hope you keep us up to date.

[@mizzlemoonglade4996]

Thanks for this info. I would imagine some varieties though wouldn't tolerate high heat as well, which isn't a problem in California as opposed to here in Texas. I've also heard that high chill varieties can be grown in low chill areas that are also higher in humidity. Unfortunately it's drier here than the Californian coast. However next winter I'll be getting five or so heirloom apple trees, more as an experiment than anything else. I'll have to see.

[@bonniehoke-scedrov4906]

Great video! Thanks!

[@johnmcneill923]

Hi Tom...Would be nice to see a follow-up pruning after fruit picking and then winter pruning. Maybe the OC Chapter of The CRFG could help 🤔😊😉

[@mattweber1842]

Any information or trials on pears being able to produce in areas below their chill rating?

[@dh4923]

very cool project...

[@PlowAndPantryHomestead]

This is great info. I live about half an hour away from Irvine and there are some apples I'd love to grow but thought there was no way I could do it.

[@theteenagegardner]

Did you do it?

[@PlowAndPantryHomestead]

@@theteenagegardner I did but then I moved so I have no idea how they turned out.

[@theteenagegardner]

@@PlowAndPantryHomestead oh im sorry to hear that.

[@glynnsea]

I'm doing a similar experiment on trying to grow high chill hour gooseberries in low chill southern California. This gives me hope.

[@chedthaimarket]

What is the cause of white stems? Thanks for nice apple tree garden 🌱🌱😍😍

[@KIDTAKO]

SUPER interesting... so much to wrap our heads around. Without going into detail about low vs. high chill genetics and the coinciding behavior, growth and production blah blah blah... it makes sense.

[@robkeller3431]

Been getting rouge bloom on summer planted dorsett golden, fuji, pears, and I've picked off about 50 flowers from a summer planted flavor king pluot which is only about knee high. Must be the stress of the heat this summer.

[@robert7355]

During the hottest part of the summer . . . how many gallons of water are you putting on your trees per week?

[@dezertXer]

what brand of mini emitter sprinklers are you using? The ones they sell at LOWES throw way too far from the tree. thanks!

[@pibblesnbits]

Everyone watching this should note that the bark on a lot of these trees has been painted white for protection.

[@gailruth4952]

I live in zone 8b in Louisiana, I would like to try growing the O'Henry peach tree in my area. It is rated at 750 chill hours and we get 400 maybe up to 600 chill hours. Is it possible it would fruit? I planted one about three years ago and it fruited with about 60 peaches the first spring, but I sprayed it with liquid 7 and all the fruit fell off. I was told the fruit fell off because of spraying them with the liquid 7. Could the fruit have fallen off because we didn't get enough chill hours? After watching this video with high chill apples, I would like to try planting another O'Henry peach. What is your suggestion on that? I watch many of your videos in your orchard and your fruit trees are beautiful. What is the name of the fertilizer you use? You mentioned in one video that you use tree and vine fertilizer, but I can't seem to find it nor a low Nitrogen and high Potassium, Potash blend. Where to purchase the tree and vine fertilizer or what fertilizer do you recommend?

[@pickardsorchard9396]

That would not be a problem. I live same place

[@josemarquez8413]

l love this video. when are you making the follow up video on these apple trees?

[@DaveWilsonTrees]

Hopefully this year.

[@josemarquez8413]

@@DaveWilsonTrees That is great news! Thank you so much!

[@ryanpharr]

Can you provide a link to those sprinkler emitters? Great video as always.

[@DaveWilsonTrees]

+Ryan Pharr Those are just basic micro sprinklers. You can find similar at any home depot type store, or irrigation supply.

[@bw-mi9xp]

hi tom, have you visited paul gautschi's orchard yet in washington?

[@thecrzybaldone]

How did you prune these trees to get them to form that shape in the end? I'd like to replicate that shape for the apple trees I planted this fall. Can other fruit trees be pruned into that shape as well? Great video!

[@DaveWilsonTrees]

+Jeffrey Dols They were all topped low at planting, and then a staggered scaffold pruning from the bottom up. Always prune to an outward growing bud and remove inward center growth. So work your way around the tree several times starting from the lower growth working up to the top. Keep trees pruned to a height manageable for you.

[@dodgedodge2229]

What are the most popular apple varieties grown in the USA?

[@stephencarlsbad]

Some people think that chill hours means less than 45 degrees. In reality, less than 55 degrees will do also. If you live next to water, aka a river, the ocean, then your chill hours will be higher than your surrounding areas since water brings in the cold air and frost.

[@zawaadhasan5462]

Thank you,Sir.And I will be happy if you make a video on this.

[@lukegrant3335]

MacIntosh Was it included? How did it do? I am in Zone 8b in North Central Florida. Gee I sure wish I could grow my favorite apple. Thank you for this experiment and for sharing your knowledge

[@DaveWilsonTrees]

+Luke Grant Tom thinks chill wouldn't be a problem for you, but high summertime humidity would make it difficult.

[@rescuereadyroadsidellc5938]

Im in zone 8b got a gala and i plan to shade lightly in the summer just to keep the heat down

[@Shuvah2Him]

Tom Spellman, sorry to change subject from your great view, but can you tell us where you got that great hat???? Thanks!

[@DaveWilsonTrees]

+Dolores Testerman It's a Henshel, made in California. Tom got his at a nursery in San Diego, but you can find them at shoes.com

[@beebeebeeleaves9767]

Thanks for asking Dolores and thanks for sharing Tom! Love. Get. 😊

[@megan9197]

Now that it's 2018 how are they doing..

[@scottdrawdy9]

Dolores Testerman .

[@vijayawasti1496]

Sir, apart from Anna Golden Dorsett and tropic sweet are there any lowest chill hours varieties which are red in colour which are more popular and demanding in market. Also I would whole heatedfully solicit your views on how they stand before their cousins in temperate regions Welcome and heartiest regards Sir.

[@DaveWilsonTrees]

Sundowner is good down to 200 hours.

[@zawaadhasan5462]

Sir,I'm a student, studding on Agriculture.I like your videos very much.I have seen one of your video on Apple tree harvest for shipping. It made me curious about a thing.Its 'YOU GROW APPLE TREE WHICH IS GRAFTED BUT HOW YOU GROW THE ROOT STOCK TO GRAFT?'Waiting for the answer SIR.

[@DaveWilsonTrees]

+Zawaad HASAN Most rootstocks are grown from cuttings, some from seed.

[@SomethinSweetShop]

I was wondering about that report, could you please link it in the description if it has been written?

[@DaveWilsonTrees]

The study is still ongoing. Report should be done this winter.

[@NOEBulliesGIC]

@@DaveWilsonTreesany word on the report

[@falynch]

Most varieties have never been tested, classifying as high chill seems to be the default.

[@pattihayden8100]

What is the white painted material on the trees? I planted 5 bare root fruit trees from you and my almond tree is doing well. Just hoping that my peaches,apples and apricot will flourish in Las Vegas. I’ve put lots of wood chips around all off them.

[@DaveWilsonTrees]

It's a whitewash to prevent sunburn. Mix indoor house paint 50/50 with water and apply to the trunk up into the scaffold.

[@User-kj5kr]

Is the white paint available in local store

[@somerandomguy7458]

Oof Las Vegas is too hotttt

[@jasonthephoneboy]

I live in North FL. I have ordered DWN trees from Grow Organic, and all except my Sundowner (which kept being knocked over) are doing well. Supposedly we are in the 400 ~ 600 hour range... But it is mid November and we havent hit the 50's yet... I was wondering how the Honeycrisp did? I didn't hear you mention it, and since I want to get one I was curious how they did.

[@DaveWilsonTrees]

+jasonthephoneboy The trial is only in its third year so no real track record yet. Takes at least five years to make any accurate evaluation. It doesn't like our hot summers in Southern California. Most fruit has dropped in August. Not sure how it will do under Florida's high humidity. Honeycrisp was developed by University of Minnesota so certainly developed for northern climates. If you choose to trial it be sure to keep us posted with your results.

[@jasonthephoneboy]

Thank you very much. I am certainly seeing an issue with humidity here. A lot of my trees have a green moss on them. Something most natives don't seem to have... I guess I will save the Honeycrisp for a future date if I do decide to grow one.

[@moniquegebeline4350]

Dave Wilson Nursery I actually planted a honey crisp and I’m in zone 9a. My others are low chill but I had to take the chance it’s my sons favorite lol. But not sure how they’ll do our summers are hot and we are humid year round but the last two winters here on MS gulf coast have been cold, I believe mobile recorded 680 chill hours this past winter I’ll keep you posted

[@medicspc]

@@moniquegebeline4350 I'm also on the MS gulf coast and I've planted a couple higher chill hour apples to see if I can make them work because of Dave Wilson nursery videos. They are still young but seem to be growing well so I'm looking forward to this spring to see if they fruit!

[@lbsaltzman]

My low chill apples don't go fully dormant. I ignore it and there is no problem. I still get good crops and have minimal disease problems.

[@DaveWilsonTrees]

Yep, Anna is evergreen in certain places. Maybe other varieties as well.

[@trevorhaas3503]

I know this is an Old video, but I heard you were irrigating with reclaimed water. Is that safe for Edible crops?

[@DaveWilsonTrees]

Yes, of course. Might not want to wash the fruit in it though.

[@trevorhaas3503]

I work on a community college campus in San Diego and we are on Reclaimed water. I have been wanting to incorporate many more fruit trees but was unsure if the fruit would be safe to eat if grown with reclaimed irrigation.

[@adronlamb9334]

Were the trees at the beginning pruned with a knee high or lower trunk cut at planting? Looks like they were and then another pruning to outward facing buds? Hard to tell if they are open center or maybe modified central leader

[@DaveWilsonTrees]

Yes, they were pruned to knee-high at planting time. We have two trees of each variety. One pruned to open center and one to modified leader. No difference in production by variety.

[@adronlamb9334]

Dave Wilson Nursery thanks for the quick response! Love the shape and height. Amazing work, I'm still trying to get some Dave Wilson trees here to Minnesota

[@DaveWilsonTrees]

What zone are you in? We have a few varieties for zone 4, more for zone 5. We have a number of customers who offer mail order. www.davewilson.com/home-gardens/where-to-buy/retail-nurseries-mail-order

[@adronlamb9334]

Is it possible to get a Gravenstein from Dave Wilson in Minnesota? I looked but didn't see if I could order one on the website or not and no retailers here. A Midwest branch of Dave Wilson Nursery would be great. I bought a 3 in 1 blueberry locally here this year, maybe a bit of influence spreading this way.Thanks

[@DaveWilsonTrees]

You can try mail order, this winter.. www.davewilson.com/home-gardens/where-to-buy/retail-nurseries-mail-order

[@adronlamb9334]

Dave Wilson Nursery thanks! Found some at Groworganic.com also. The Tomcot apricot might be a good choice for zone 4

[@deadpresident78]

My question would be What does it produce yearly over ten years. Lucky this year but not next kinda thing. Its hard watching anything from CA.

[@alzaher123]

What about cherry is it possible to grow it in zone 11 i have 700 of chill hours cherry is the project just for apple

[@somerandomguy7458]

wajdi alzaher zone 11 is tropical you don’t have any chill hours

[@moniquegebeline4350]

wajdi alzaher Cherry is deciduous it needs to go dormant. You can grow surinam or Jamaican cherry (not true prunus varieties)

[@brentburnette4585]

How has your stock been in terms of the drought/water restrictions?

[@DaveWilsonTrees]

+Brent Burnette We are able to use surface water from the local irrigation district, and we also have many wells at the nursery, so the drought has not affected our ability to grow nursery stock as of yet.

[@jessebrown1497]

Chill hours, ok I get it. What about heat. I life in the Mesa AZ area. That's my main concern out here with 115 heat very common in the summer months.

[@DaveWilsonTrees]

Most stone fruit varieties can handle extreme heat, but rootstocks can not. The remedy is not more water, but more mulch. You need at least 8 inches of mulch over the root zone. It gets triple digit heat here at the nursery every summer also.

[@AlexisIscah]

Now we know the high chill apples with 900Hrs or so can fruit in So Cal, have you done similar experiment with peaches/nectarines? Very curious. Probably trees just need a little extra time to adjust and adapt to different climates.

[@DaveWilsonTrees]

Not widely tested in research studies but not expected to preform as well as the apples. Chill hours for stone fruits are in part calculated by bloom times and are considered important to estimate maximum commercial production. Always some opportunity to experiment with higher chill varieties in lower chill climates. Especially when maximum production is not the primary goal. Have fun with it.

[@AlexisIscah]

@@DaveWilsonTrees Thanks for the response. I'm in 10a, and very close to the ocean. Been wanting to have some low-acid white peach/nectarines similar to those of Japanese white peaches, but cultivers like White Lady (peach), Snow Beauty (peach) and Heavenly White (nectarine) seem to have high chill hours (600-900) and was wondering if they can be grown in the relatively cool coastal winter. I will try White Lady and Heavenly White and if they don't work in 4 years or so, move on to the second choice cultivers like Tropic Snow (p) and Arctic Star (n). (Debating on Snow Queen) Again, thanks for the information.

[@DaveWilsonTrees]

@@AlexisIscah Artic Jay is the sweetest white nectarine, it’s less than 500 hours. Arctic Star is great, just 300hrs. Then there’s Spice Zee Nectaplum, everyone’s favorite, only 200hrs. For peach you have Babcock at 250hrs. Champagne at 400hrs. Donut is only 200hrs. Tropic Snow is hard to beat, 200hrs.

[@DaveWilsonTrees]

@@AlexisIscah Only three varieties have good track record in your conditions. Arctic Star nectarine, Tropic Snow Peach and old fashioned Babcock Peach. 10a is marginal for any prunus. Even those three will have good and poor seasons.

[@AlexisIscah]

@@DaveWilsonTrees Oops, sorry. I'm a retard. I'm in 10b. West Los Angeles. I will look up all the trees you mentioned. Many options, not enough land (more like a no land). Hopefully I can make up my mind by the fall so I can place orders for the bare root tree this year. Thanks again.

[@richfiryn]

What is the white substance on all the trunks and what purpose does it serve ?

[@DaveWilsonTrees]

That is a 50/50 mix of paint and water to protect against sunburn, which can lead to many problems.

[@moniquegebeline4350]

Dave Wilson Nursery What do you recommend to use I have heard speciality fruit tree paint is better because regular latex paint is thicker- is this true or false I would love to know what you recommend- and is this used in conjunction with a tree guard?

[@calebneyland3595]

It's 2018 can you post the link to the report on them? How's the project going now??

[@DaveWilsonTrees]

The study is going for another year. This year the crop was mostly compromised by record 117 degree day in Irvine, CA. It went from low 90's to 117 in a day and the crop couldn't take the heat stress. So the report will be delayed.

[@nickifalk8322]

@@DaveWilsonTrees In time for bare root pre-orders or retail purchase?

[@simonepaterno3832]

I am in Lake Forest. can I buy a tree for small area?

[@DaveWilsonTrees]

Apple is one of the few fruit trees that have dwarfing rootstocks that can be container grown, and can also be pruned to be maintained at any size in a yard.

[@kofokofo]

Is Mallings - 111 the same as MM111? and is there a name in the USA for this variety: www.google.it/search?q=roter+mond+apfel&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjSjpCpxMvSAhXCaRQKHVVPCfsQ_AUIBigB&biw=1280&bih=726&dpr=2 Its red in color in the inside and the leaves are red when young. Its originally from Russia and I would like to plant some in the US.

[@DaveWilsonTrees]

Yes, M111 is Mallings 111. I'm not familiar with that apple. Pink Pearl apple gets red, but not that deep a red.

[@alexgottmituns7049]

Should delve into Dragon fruit. Harvest 3-4 times a year in SoCal. Check it out...

[@megan9197]

Now two years later how is it doing?

[@DaveWilsonTrees]

It's doing well, Irvine recorded a record 117 degree day this summer and compromised much of the crop. Study is ongoing.

[@elasesinoespritual341]

Think this can happen in the Bahamas lol?

[@elasesinoespritual341]

Will they grow in the bahamas though?

[@GerardBoer]

I don't think so.

[@eatmaipoop]

7:15 notice the apple dropping to the ground.

[@elasesinoespritual341]

Lmao

[@gogogardener]

Have you done the report yet?

[@DaveWilsonTrees]

Not yet. It’s in progress.

[@YahcobYsrael]

Can I grow apples in South Texas?

[@DaveWilsonTrees]

You can grow anything you want if your willing to put the effort into it. Do your homework on varieties. Anna and Dorsett Golden will do best. Also Fuji, Gala and Granny Smith have a decent track record but try anything you like. Look for trees budded to Mallings - 111 rootstock.

[@YahcobYsrael]

Dave Wilson Nursery Thanks you so much Dave. This is very useful.

[@mattweber1842]

Has their been a similar test with cherries?

[@DaveWilsonTrees]

+Matt Weber Not to my knowledge, however, I'm sure the results would not be anywhere close. Almost all cherries with the exception of Zaigers newer low chill varieties are not low chill adaptable.

[@mattweber1842]

Any information on if pears are more adaptable then their rated chill hours?

[@glynnsea]

Maybe Asian pears.

[@robkeller3431]

I planted a Zaiger Ghost 👻 apple recently.

[@drillsergeant623]

😂😂 nothing worse than hearing people chew.

[@WilliamJBroussard]

Have you completed the study?

[@DaveWilsonTrees]

Study not complete, I plan on writing a report November or December of this year.

[@WilliamJBroussard]

Did you complete the report? Love it review the results.

[@yeyo9404]

Does this mean I can grow apple trees in Hawaii and they will give fruit ?

[@DaveWilsonTrees]

yes, certain varieties will do there. Iv'e heard of plums and Pluots being grown there also.

[@yeyo9404]

Awesome because I love apple trees and I’m looking that gravenstein Apple I don’t know anyone who can sell me one do you sell trees would I be able to purchase trees from you to ship out here ?

[@DaveWilsonTrees]

You would have to try mail order. www.davewilson.com/home-gardens/where-to-buy/retail-nurseries-mail-order

[@gabepettinicchio7454]

So, Tom. Can we now determine that "chill hours" are useless now?

[@DaveWilsonTrees]

This study is for apples only and will not determine the effectiveness of chill on any other type of fruit tree. To date it looks like most apple varieties are productive with much less than recommended chill accumulation

[@soumilyarlagadda9764]

Anything can grow in southern california

[@ahmadnazly9366]

what mean hi chill and low chill?

[@DaveWilsonTrees]

Fruit trees require a certain number of 'chill hours'- hours below 45 degrees Fahrenheit in the winter dormant period. Low chill is considered 500 hours and less.

[@ahmadnazly9366]

@@DaveWilsonTrees i have apple three.my country malaysia is hot every year.. it can produse fruit?

[@DaveWilsonTrees]

Yes, depending on the variety. Most apples are adaptable to hot climates.

[@ahmadnazly9366]

thank for info.