Counting Pips

I have heard from gardeners the length and breadth of England especially, that much of the fruit which was apparent on their trees at the beginning of August has since ‘disappeared’. Music to a fruit growers ears, you might think, except, that is when he has a similar experience.

The warmth of September to date has hatched eggs of various apple munching caterpillars – Tortrix, Codling, and Blastobasis . I have seen caterpillars swinging on their threads from leaves. Appearing on previously picked fruit, just nibbling the skin only off the surface of the fruit. Most annoying. There are both earwigs and woodlice crawling around in the trees – both useful.

Obviously a fruit which has been damaged, in anyway, will ripen rapidly with various interesting moulds taking over the wound, all resulting in fruit drop. Not all the fruit which has dropped is damaged, neither is it totally ripe.

I have cut open such fruit to find it difficult to spot more than an odd pip. Hopefully the majority of the apples waiting to be picked contain nearer to a reasonable complement of pips, which are plump and healthy (and not too brown, just yet!).

I used a hacksaw to dissect a fallen, green quince, recently, to discover that there were no pips contained whatsoever. Vranja seem particularly affected.

On the subject of Quince. Please note that we have NO MORE available.

If you have mailed to Crapes by Royal Mail recently, please note that since our postman retired at the end of August, this village has not received a letter postal delivery!

Above – top left a leaf semi attached to the opening of a caterpillar hole.

bottom right – the recently ejected frass of an active codling caterpillar.