According to two local growers, the Alpine apple season seems to have fared well amid recent wet weather. However, chestnuts may suffer if the rain continues.
Wandiligong orchardist Don Nightingale, of Nightingale Bros fruit producers, said they currently have a good apple crop. Still, the wet weather has made orchard work more challenging.
"It's been a difficult time for fungus problems which has resulted in extra spraying of fungicides," Nightingale said. "We have got some wet areas where trees will die. The wet weather has caused excessive tree growth which will involve more summer pruning."
He is also concerned about their chestnut trees, which crop better in dry conditions when they flower, usually in November or December. According to Nightingale, if wet weather continues they are likely to see more chestnut rot, a difficult–to–detect fungal disease that infects the nuts. He also said they have lost some young chestnut trees to waterlogged soil.
Source: alpineobserver.com.au