I Got SCHOOLED By A 3rd Generation Apple Farmer On Why My Apples Sucked!

[@simms50]

SUGGESTION - Could you please create a new blog post indicating all the steps and products you used and the frequency in doing so??? That would not only be helpful to me but plenty of other home apple growers out there! Thanks for your consideration!

[@dlsk07]

"Phone call away" amazing tip

[@MIgardener]

One of the best tips I have ever heard.

[@TrustGod_365]

Love that Mr. Ray was willing to share his knowledge with you. So glad that you hung in there to pass along the information to us. Thank you both!

[@farmwife6926]

THANK YOU, RAY!!! 🍎 🍏

[@sharonmaresh]

Everything you described regarding disease in apple trees describes what we had in our pear trees this year. We did it wrong and took our pear trees down a couple of weeks ago. 😢 On the bright side, we can still course correct with our apple trees before having problems. Thank you, Luke!

[@carlab630]

I got only a few apples a year for 25+ yrs- last year I turned my front yard to flowers. Jackpot- last year & this year loaded! thanks bees!!

[@mycozygardencottage]

Thank you so much! I've been wishing I could talk to someone like Ray about my apple tree and my peach tree. This was so very helpful. The wisdom and experience of our elders should never be underestimated. We all need to stop and sit and shut up and listen to them.

[@orionx79]

Are you feeding them, because squirrels are territorial. And 1 cant eat a whole tree. The more food the less territorial they are...

[@flintstonegirl3372]

I LOVE THIS SO MUCH! THANK YOU RAY! YOU HELPED ALL OF US!❤❤

[@amianderson8866]

Hey! Hi! I live in Genesee County. I love Ray too. And 🍎 apples

[@cindigrayer2214]

Thank you Ray and MIGardener!!

[@nonsquid]

So, what specific organic sprays did you use for fire blight and pest control for Japanese beetles? You said you would list them in your details.

[@nhow4]

I’m all about organic as well, I think that’s how we all should be farming. I’ve gotten a few other tips on what to use, but was a little lost since it’s overwhelming sometimes, so I’m so glad for these tips and what to use! I have 2 and 3 year old trees that are one of the most disease resistant varieties, especially since my neighbor has a juniper tree, so I still got a little cedar apple rust. I hate to spray anything at all, but know that’s not realistic at all, so I’m really glad you made this video. It’s super helpful! Thank you!

[@dustyflats3832]

Cedar rust a travel a long ways so the neighbors tree wouldn’t matter. I wish I had remembered that as 3 of the 5 apple trees are not resistant and there are cedars everywhere.

[@daviddague270]

Thank you. I have 20+ fruit trees and have never got production I hoped for. I am going to give this a try.

[@corleeashley8016]

Ray you are a blessing and I'm so grateful that you shared your wisdom with Luke and that he could share it with us!!!!

[@reneedevry4361]

Thank you Ray for passing on your wisdom so it is not lost. I will be passing on the phone call away advice. My biggest apple issue is squirrels. Before fruit is half size, the tree is stripped.☹️ The squirrel density per square kilometre in my city is incredible. Black, grey, red squirrels and chipmunks are everywhere. 😡 Even groundhogs will climb the trees to eat appples🙄 I consider my apple tree as a pollinator friendly decorative feature because there is no other choice. 🥰🇨🇦

[@jeffmeyers3837]

Ray sounds like a wealth of information. Please consider making a video interviewing him at his farm, we'd love that. Thanks.

[@CaitlinKelly-hk8fv]

I just planted 2 apple trees this summer and had no idea what I was getting into! Thanks for saving potentially years of figuring it out

[@terrantula7733]

Thanks for the info Luke! I bought some disease resistant apples bc of my area and the cedar apple rust etc diseases are so rampant here. I also got them in dwarf sizes to help maintain them. I'm so happy you didn't give up! Happy growing!❤❤

[@Jenniferrichie22]

Have been thinking about planting some apple trees. I love getting all of this information so I can make an informed decision. Thank you Ray for helping Luke and all of us.

[@deblovesthis]

Ray that was so nice of you to share that information.

[@stephaniepelfrey2666]

Thank you Ray!!! What an amazing fellow farmer.

[@morganlewi]

Thank you Ray. My childhood memories are filled with the smell of sulfur on the apple orchard next to my elementary school and home. I now enjoy that smell. As a new fruit tree grower, I thought that organic meant no spray and no fertilizer. My trees and I thank you for the education. 🍎

[@rachelvelasquez7849]

Wow! Great to know, we put in two apple trees this season. Thanks!

[@donnareeves5894]

Thank you Ray, and thank you MI Gardner for sharing with us!

[@toniatalley1977]

Thank you to Ray to teaching us about growing apples. Awesome wealth of knowledge!!!

[@emirandme]

Thank Ray and Luke. This info will help me avoid these mistakes when I start growing apples!

[@sunsetsky594]

Thanks for this info, and please extend a thank you to your friend who shared it with you.

[@glennm9307]

Thanks! I need all the tips and tricks for my Apple tree. I'm 72 and love what the old timers can share. I'm not an old timer but I'm still able to learn at my age. Unlike some at my age. Always open to new ideas. I appreciate what you've learned as a young guy. Glad you are open and appreciate what an old timer can share with you. Glad it paid off for you. And you are sharing it with us. Thank You So Much!!!!!

[@KimFein]

THANK YOU SO MUCH RAY! I have an espaliered tree that I allowed to grow out and last year got so many! I was not aware this tree could even give that many! I will follow this advice!

[@JamieE76]

Great advice, Ray! My apple trees are not looking so good this year, so next year, I will get on a schedule and follow your advice. :) God Bless!

[@alanjbuddendeck186]

Ray, thank you so much for your generosity in sharing your wisdom in these great tips! Incredibly helpful, Luke, as always. This gives me hope for correcting my approach to my backyard orchard (20 trees) here in the Virginia Piedmont. Thank you from this former West Michigander!🌿☀️🕊️

[@cindycordon6045]

Thanks Ray and thank you Luke for sharing!

[@jasonornoff9940]

Central Floridian here in zone 9B. Learning that some of my challenges related to climate have been more about WHAT I'm planting, so learning to adjust. This has me ready to try apple trees!

[@JenJones-yi5ly]

Mr. Ray, Thank you! I didn't realize I should cull the apples more than once. Next year will be a better year!

[@springflowerdark2137]

There is a book all about my little fruit tree on how to keep them short, but very happy & productive. I am reading it now.

[@grandmabear9069]

Thank You Ray!! So happy to get this information and can't wait to try it on our pathetic tree! Wondering if same info would apply to a peach and/or pear tree? TIA

[@brianjones1679]

I'm growing my apple and pear trees espalier and that makes it very manageable.

[@thenextpoetician6328]

Did three seasons driving tractor in an orchard. Wasn't there for summer or winter chores. Spraying was regular, thinning never happened. Too many trees. One Mac produced around 150 bushels if I recall. Size was rarely an issue. For pruning, keeping the inside of the tree open, making wells between big limbs and eliminating conflicting growth, and avoiding branches growing too tall or leaving the top too heavily pruned which would increase the risk of sun burn, were the guiding principles.

[@BTUTrucks]

Moved to a new home and one of the first things we did this summer was start our orchard. Blue Pearmain, Ashmeads Kernel, Wickson, Grimes Golden and more. Excited to be able to watch this all “bear fruit” in the years to come. I will definitely take all of this into consideration as there are a lot of old apple trees around as well as established orchards. Spraying every couple of weeks is good insurance that my work will pay off for years to come.

[@christywright2188]

Wonderful tips given Success! I want to start some fruit trees next year and get me an orchard established. Lots of work learning about everything involved in growing food but is so rewarding. Congrats on a harvest of beautiful apples, enjoy! Missouri Wrightchk

[@robinmccarter7881]

Thank you. I downloaded your video so that I can reference the information. We love apples and have 4 wonderful trees. We try every year for better apples. Like you now I know I am not spraying and pruning enough. Thank you and thank you Ray for sharing your knowledge.

[@StephanieFazioLealouCooks]

Thank you! I have 100 year old apple trees! Last year we got lots and this year barely anything - I think a lot was the squirrels. I'm not sure I have the patience to spray that much but I will take some of these tips for next year!

[@MadameM.]

Thank you, Ray!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@AlsanPine]

i do not spray my trees. instead i plant a lot of plants that repel the pests in my food forest. white clover, tansy, peppermint, and many more. it took time to have a balanced system but it is worth it. i could not afford to spray all the time. and doing so will ensure that your location will never achieve balance. i do also put up codling moth traps, however. i also took the time to ensure a very lively soil through much work. i prune my fruit trees a little at a time from spring to early summer and feed the local deer herd with them. all the fruit thinning i do also go to feed the deer. i have a very diverse little orchard here and that is the key. look up which flowers, herbs, etc repel which pests and plant them all around your trees. find plants that attract the predators of your pests and plant them all around your trees. then you will have my little orchard 🙂

[@monicali2608]

Did the same but no success.

[@AlsanPine]

@@monicali2608 hmmm, are you refilling your traps weekly? especially when it gets hot, they dry out quickly. also, you want your deterrent plants all around the tree so wind direction will not sneak some past them. key is diversity. as my forest has matured for the past decades, my pest load has diminished considerably. of course there are so many variables that can impact things. pay particular attention to wind direction during critical moth life cycles.

[@maryinwood7435]

Great tips! My apple trees have done pretty good this year despite neglect (neck surgery in spring followed by knee surgery earlier this month) but hopefully I'll do better next year. Have to make a note to start spraying after blossom drop, keep spraying every 2 weeks, and keep apples a phone call away!

[@srsapb1]

Thank-you, Ray - we all appreciate your sharing!

[@MissyPan]

Thank you for this video! I have two apple trees that need lots of help…. I would be devastated if we had to cut them down but this video gives me hope! Thank you Luke and Ray!

[@cinbob00]

Thank you Ray and Luke😊

[@bettyvanochten8883]

Thank you Ray! Sent this video to my son who has a very old apple tree that is struggling.

[@sunrisesidesnowdogs5920]

Thanks ray & mi gardener, I took notes!

[@coffee-ness]

Thank you! We've had 2 apple trees that have given us apples but not anything we could use. I'll be sharing this with my husband.

[@marycain7424]

Love to see video of the pruning and the spraying. Thanks for the great information

[@Earthy-Artist]

'Comparing apples to apples' as the saying goes 🙂. Thank you Ray and Luke! I have a Granny Smith apple tree with some ailments described, so every bit of this info will be highly useful to me! I have no problem putting in the hard work, my problem is that I hate killing anything, even bugs. But if I want to have apples {yes please} 🍏🍏🍏🍏🍏 then I'll just have to do, what I have to do!

[@lindaturner6113]

THANK YOU!!! Ray, Luke and Mrs. Luke!! This is fabulous info!!! I've never gotten an apple harvest and NOW i know why😂😂😂😂

[@MysticSpank]

nice. i was planning on heavily pruning my peach tree this year, and hearing an apple tree getting that much of a pruning is encouraging.

[@Jooo-pf7lz]

Thanks Ray for sharing with our garden guru who is sharing with us... Now ..any tips on an 8 year old potted lemon tree plant that hasn't produced any flowers, not even a bud!🤷

[@mommaoinnh2674]

My fruit trees are very small. I can see every leaf. I’ve been picking off white caterpillars with black eyes to save the half dozen apples I have.

[@joeyhardin1288]

Thank you Luke and Thank you Ray!

[@cbass2755]

Thank you Ray!!! God bless you honey!!

[@Gardeningchristine]

I kept watching you pick apples and drop them on the ground. I hope you went back and picked them up. 😂🍎🍏

[@brooklynnchick]

I noticed that too! I just moved to MI from WY (where about all I can grow is antelope and sagebrush!) and every time he’d drop one I’d wince! Those are the best ones for applesauce!

[@lisawilson6094]

Thank you MiGardner and Mr. Ray! I have 3 young apple trees that range from 3-6 years old and they are tiny and get a few buds and a couple apples. I'm going to aggressively follow your advice and see if I can put these trees to work!

[@giancolabird]

Thank you Ray!! You are the best!!!

[@dfreak01]

Feeding Chickadees near your trees helps too. They store seed in cracks in the tree & gather the worms & grubs for their babies. Do these things you spray affect the birds?? Also running chickens or ducks under the trees helps get rid of bugs/worms.

[@corriebreunsbach7331]

Thank you for this one, Luke! I finally have countable apples on my Fuji and honeycrisp (TEN YEARS OF WAITING!) but every single one was small, misshapen, and riddled with apple maggots. 😫 Can't wait to try these methods, and hope for better fruiting and healthier trees next year.

[@Wrightworth]

Thanks Ray & Luke! Homegrown apples are soooo good.

[@peggthomas-author]

Thank you, Ray!

[@julieenglish9563]

Hey there! Great video and a big thank you to Ray for sharing his wisdom!!! Also, Luke, my garden is thriving this year thanks to all the seeds I bought from you!!!

[@pinehavenhomestead]

I do hope that you’ll document these tips this coming season to show how you pruned and sprayed and culled!!

[@suereedy8567]

Thank you Ray!

[@cherylstaal782]

Thank you Ray! 🍎

[@beautifulstrengthsfitness3497]

Thanks for sharing Ray’s tips. I’m planting apple trees this fall and this info will save me tons of time in mistakes avoided.

[@catphish66]

Thanks Ray.

[@kmw4153]

Love these tips. Now I need to figure out how to stop the squirrels from eating all my apples! I started with about 60 now I have zero on my Gala😢 they even knocked off my Meyer lemons that were starting to ripen 😢

[@alchemist6857]

Yes I need this info too! The squirrels are having a feast!

[@carolfoss6487]

Thank you Ray!❤❤❤❤

[@susanseybold6951]

Nice job Ray!! Thanks for the advice

[@bspooky1313]

Great info! I will definitely try this on my trees.

[@aclaus596]

Thank you and thank you Ray. I have apple trees that are very sad and I wasn’t sure what I was doing wrong

[@vallis1469]

Thank you, Ray! This is fabulous info. Thanks so much.

[@NanaSuze77]

Great info!!! Thanks Ray and Luke

[@joannagel4681]

Luke please thank Ray for sharing his wisdom. Could you please share the list of insecticides & fungicides that you used on your Apple trees

[@johnwood738]

Going to try these tips. Just mowing the lawn and saw only three apples on the McIntosh tree and only one on the red delicious.

[@justpatty7328]

THANK YOU, RAY!

[@phyllisphipps9435]

Thanks Ray. My apple trees are pitiful. I'm applying these tips next season!!

[@marijorommelfaenger739]

Thank you Ray! We are at the same point of despair with our apples…again! We will try the frequency of the two different spays next season. We had a hot and humid summer here in SE Wisconsin and not only our apple trees are diseased but so are our other vegetables like tomatoes and cucumbers. I think I need to up the fungicide spraying next year if we have another hot humid summer.

[@donnabrooks1173]

Awesome video thanks to you and Ray!!!!!! ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@larrysmith8080]

Thank you, Ray.

[@leggustafson]

Thank you Mr. Ray! This is very helpful!

[@jeffmeyers3837]

Try Summer pruning right after the Summer solstice to reduce vigor and bring the size down, and use Winter pruning for more structural and detail work. Anything you prune in the Winter grows back, but Summer pruning actually lets you reduce the vigor and get the size down.

[@laurieanne9712]

I didn't see the link to Dr. Bronners oil spray. Thank you.

[@judywalsh4992]

Can you please list what you use for each step? Thanks!

[@shelleygeary3205]

Thanks Ray! I'm about ready to cut my apple tree down. It's espalier and not producing. I'm going to try this spray regimen and see if it helps.

[@jackieforestieri3010]

Thanks, Ray!! I’m saving this video to watch for next year!

[@nickzivs]

Thank you for this! I have a plum tree in its second year and this video is honestly going to be massive for me going forward given that it's done well with growth despite me making that same mistake and only spraying during the wet and cool Spring for disease and it contracting really bad rust that caused defoliation of roughly 80% of the leaves. Could you please provide a link to the orchard spray that you're using? Thanks so much!

[@terribuckner3256]

I live in MI and would love to pick at Ray’s farm. Can you share his business location?

[@PlowAndPantryHomestead]

Thanks for your tips, Ray!

[@traceybinder3614]

Thank you! I just planted last fall and they looked great at the beginning of spring. Then disease set in. I sprayed but not only twice. I had no idea I should’ve been doing it so frequently right from the start! Now I will do better next season. Do I even bother spraying anymore this season? Baby trees, most leaves look crunchy.

[@cactusray3368]

Thank you for this timely and helpful video! More info on growing fruit trees would be greatly appreciated!

[@beskamir5977]

I would have assumed culling everything at once is better than multiple times throughout the growing season but I suppose that's more of a gamble. My main issue where I live is hail. So a lot of fruits get regularly damaged every other season or so. If anyone else has great ideas for preventing hail damage that'd be awesome, but the only solution I can think of is to just cover the entire tree in a protective mesh of some kind right after it's been pollinated. I haven't actually tried that yet due to the size of the trees, the light and airflow reduction that'd cause, the cost of getting such a mesh, etc. Although if I can prune the trees to be a bit smaller I might be able to completely cover them in a mesh that'd then also serve as a physical barrier to keep pests away so it certainly seems like something worth looking into for resolving a variety of issues.

[@emilyneal7888]

That is good information! Thanks Ray! Thanks Luke!

[@AM-cd2uf]

Quick question for sprays - we run a flock of ducks in our orchard for natural pest control and fertilizer. I also have lavender planted around the base of our trees and where the lavender has taken well we don’t have coddling moth in those apples, where it hasn’t taken as well it’s hit or miss on those apples. I haven’t been spraying for pests or fungicide because the ducks are in there… any thoughts on sprays that won’t impact their health (the same disruption for the bees would be a concern for them too). Thanks! I absolutely need to cull more!!!!

[@christinatareski8882]

My trees might have a chance next season. I have honey crisp and zestar and am looking forward to not just feeding all the pests.