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bearing  when proper crop thinning has not been
successful. During an off "year" of the pollinizor, the
adjacent variety, although it bears annually, may lose a
crop because of the lack of cross-pollination. This is not
so serious where one variety is rather self-fruitful, but the
problem of crop loss must be considered with all other
factors affecting pollination and fruit set. One to two
strong colonies of bees per acre are recommended for apple
pollination. Due to poor pollination weather, early
blooming varieties require more bees than do later
varieties. Mature orchards with a maximum number of
flowers per acre require more bees than young orchards.
Small orchards where wild bees are common require fewer
honeybees than do large orchards. Inadequate pollination
may cause misshapen fruit or dropping of immature fruit.
Table 3.8. Varieties with Satisfactory Pollen
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the fruit that occurs after this time is due to cell
enlargement. It has been found that, dependent upon the
season (i.e., weather); the period of cell division in the
apple can take longer than 30 days.
There are many fungicides and insecticides that
exhibit plant growth regulator activity, such as thinning
of fruit. Most all of these types of PGRs clearly state on
their labels that these compounds should not be sprayed
until 30 days after full bloom,or potential thinning of
fruit may result. If the season is slow or prolonged by
weather, then there must be some added precautions that
growers must take into consideration. If bloom is delayed
and/or stretched out or prolonged, CAUTIONshould be
advised with the use of any chemical that has potential
plant growth regulator activity. When in doubt, the best
thing for growers to do is to contact their area Fruit
Extension agent. This could prevent some potentially
catastrophic problems from occurring (i.e., overthinning).
Beekeeper Relations.Never use an insecticide on
open bloom.Give beekeepers at least 48 hours' notice
when you need bees moved in or out. Keep their
telephone numbers handy and warn them if there is danger
of your neighbor spraying. A written grower-beekeeper
contract may protect both parties. Such a contract should
include hive-quality guarantees, delivery and removal
dates, rental fees, and protection to the beekeeper against
colony damage. Information regarding laws affecting
pesticide application and beekeeper notification can be
found in chapter one, Be Safe With Pesticides. For
updated information, contact your county agricultural
extension agent or the DEP.
Renters of bees should know that a certificate of
inspection must accompany all bees coming into the
state. The certificate must indicate that the accompanying
bees are free from contagious bee diseases. Also, the
certificate must show the colonies are free of acarine mites.
Bee inspection officers are also given the right of entry to
inspect any hives, combs or other beekeeping equipment.
Copies of bee laws may be obtained from the county
Extension agent.
Bee Colonies.Honeybee colonies should be
provided for pollination in almost all orchards where
varieties of fruits requiring cross-pollination are grown.
Growers should rent bees--not just hives. Strong hives
may furnish 20 times as many field bees as weak hives
when conditions are cool, wet, or windy. Bee colonies
are usually substandard for pollination unless they have at
least 800 square inches of brood (eggs, larvae, and pupae)
and enough adult bees to care for this brood, regardless of
the weather.
Hive Placement.For best results, delay hive
placement in orchards until there is about 10 percent
bloom. This tends to orient bee activity to the target
bloom rather then competing plants such as dandelions.
Competing bloom in the orchard should be eliminated.
Groups of 6 to 10 hives can be placed at 200- to 300-yard
intervals throughout the orchard. For peak efficiency, they
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