Did you know? June Drop is an annual occurrence in which fruit trees drop a number of immature fruitlets from the tree. Because apple trees produce far more blossoms than the number of fruits they need to produce a full crop, they naturally thin immature fruits in order to focus nutrients and energy on the remaining fruit. #MIapples #science 
Have you seen the Queen? Victoria Wittenbach, the 2021 Michigan Apple Queen, and her Court, Sarah Rasch, will be appearing in parades throughout the summer. See them Sunday, June 13 at the Bavarian Festival Parade in Frankenmuth. They’ll be busy this fall too, appearing at events across the state! #miapples 
Did you know - Pollination is a crucial part of growing quality apples. Apples require cross-pollination -- bees moving pollen from a pollen-donating tree to the receiving tree. The pollen donating tree must be a compatible variety with the receiving tree. Crab apple trees are sometime interspersed within orchard rows to achieve cross-pollination. Want to learn more about apple blossoms and pollinators? Join us for a Facebook Live this afternoon at 3:00 p.m. EDT as we visit a #MIapple orchard and speak with horticulture experts from @MichiganStateExtension as well as an apple grower. 
Ever wanted to know more about Michigan’s state flower? Join us for Facebook Live tomorrow, May 5 at 3:00 p.m. EDT with horticulture experts and an apple grower. We’ll broadcast live from a Michigan Apple orchard and share info about apple blossoms and the important pollinators that enable them to produce the delicious fruit we love! #miapples 
It’s that time of year – blossom time! You can learn more about apple blossoms and the very important role of pollinators in our YouTube video (link in bio) and stay tuned for more posts as we proceed through this important time of year for #MIapples. 
With the ideal climate and geography for apple growing, we know Michigan Apples taste the best! EverCrisp® is a cross between Fuji and Honeycrisp and made for Midwest climates. It’s a flavor match made in the place where apples love to grow! Try EverCrisp® today! #miapples 
This video shows frost fans working at the Lowell orchard we’ve shown in previous posts. Frost fans work by mixing the warmer air above a temperature inversion with the cold air trapped below. Even a few degrees can make a big difference in protecting delicate apple blossoms. According to MSU Extension Tree Fruit Specialist Amy Irish-Brown, apple trees produce far more flower buds than they need to give a full fruit crop. It’s their way of ‘protecting’ their fruit – some bud loss will naturally take place and a tree can still produce a healthy crop of apples. We really only need about 5% of all flowers to get a full crop. Thank you to the fruit growers and experts working so hard during this time to do what they can to protect Michigan’s apple crop. 
Photos from an orchard near Lowell, Michigan this morning. Ice can be seen on apple blossoms and tree branches – but don’t worry, it’s all by design. Growers use sprinklers to spray water (at a temperature around 52 degrees) onto the apple blossoms. The water then freezes, and acts as an insulator, helping to send energy through the tree to keep it warmer. Sprinklers are just one of many tactics growers employ to protect blossoms from cold weather. Temperatures in the 20s are expected again tonight so apple growers will continue to monitor orchard temperatures and put their frost protection tools to work once more. 
Video from a Lowell, Mich. orchard this morning showing ice on tree branches – sprinklers were used to cover the buds with ice to keep the insulated from cold temperatures. In recent years, growers have made significant investments in frost protection equipment, such as frost fans and sprinklers. In addition, apple trees have some natural defense mechanisms such as foliage, that help to retain heat. Soil and grass within the orchard rows can also help to retain heat within the orchard. Apple growers have a long history of battling Mother Nature in the spring. They have generations of experience responding to weather issues that are out of their control.