I have been MIA for a while. Some of the few posts I published did not send out to the mail list, but I’m fixing that. I just published three videos taste testing apples. Two are on seedling apples and the third is on named varieties. I’ve collected some new varieties over the past 3 to 4 years and have to assess them. It has become quite a job to get through all of these fruits and keep track of what is what. This season and the next maybe are important as I have to decide what to take with me if I get a new place. I’m sort of looking forward to purging and taking just the stuff that I really am interested in for breeding, or that I like eating. I may at some point grow stuff I’m less interested in for scionwood sales, but at first it will just be the cream of the crop.
I have some new seedlings that are either very interesting for further observation, or definite keepers. I’ll be talking about those more in the near future. In the mean time, I have three apples in the process of being named. In most cases, I end up with numerous good names and have to choose between them. I will also strategize a little for the future sometimes, by using the most obvious names that someone else might snag early or saving a name for the perfect apple. I already named one Muskmelon this year and then found out there is already an heirloom apple by that name! Damn. That is one of the most interesting fruits to come out of this project for sure. Distinctly musky, but also fruity, crisp, fine grained and juicy. Some suspect a few might hate it, but no doubt others will love it and find it intriguing as I do.
The thing I’m really doing different this year is marking trees for culling. I’m finally taking out a significant number of trees in the trial rows. Some will be removed completely to make space for what remains and some will be cut to the ground and grafted over to multiply the best varieties and provide scion wood. One reason I’m antsy to move is that I need to get a lot more of the best seedling varieties in the ground producing fruit, so that I have fruit and plenty of scion wood to send people. I am sending apples to two people this year for their projects documenting and testing, but I really barely have enough. But going forward, think reviewers of various kinds, food bloggers & chefs, big garden and orchard channels etc. It is a good way to get some attention and make a real impression.
Everyone asks how property hunting is going. I’m not looking too seriously yet, until I can save more for a down payment. Prices are still dropping, so timing may be just right. I have two main jobs right now, improve my health and save money. Everything else is secondary to those and a lot has to be put on the back burner.
