By U.F.O. I mean Upright Fruiting Offshoots— a cherry pruning and training system developed by Dr. Matt Whiting at Washington State University. This system uses dwarfing rootstocks trellised horizontally to a main wire 600mm from ground level.
The offshoots are trained vertically and attached to a second wire 900mm from the ground.
The aim of this system is to be a labour saving, pedestrian orchard that is productive and early bearing. And one that is easily adapted to covering by netting, rain covers or both.
Early days
It is fairly early days for this system in Australia and although some trial blocks have been planted and are growing, the ongoing management and success of the system has largely no history of commercialisation.
As a result, there is no meaningful data behind the production in comparison to other close planted systems.
By my reckoning you can get away with any system for first five or six years of production, without too many problems.
It is what you decide to do with limb pruning, removal, and replacement; and the ability to prune—thinking two years ahead—that will sort out the players from the stayers.
Recently at the Victorian Cherry Association conference, attendees were able to see an example of the UFO system during an orchard visit to Wandin Valley Farms near Wangaratta. (See field day photos)
Do your homework first
To anyone wishing to trial this or any other high density block, my suggestion is to thoroughly do your homework first.
Consider:
- availability of rootstock
- the suitability of the cherry cultivar to the rootstock and the system
- the nitrogen requirements of dwarfing rootstocks
- the fresh market demand for your product in three or four years time
- the likelihood of that particular variety on a trellis system remaining past that time.
The cherry industry is in a state of change, will you change with it or stay with what you know?
Search the web for , ‘UFO fruiting wall’ for more answers.
