Aronia harvest time 2020.

Aronia or Chokeberry plants. There has been a lot of research and breeding going on with the Aronia plants commonly known as Black Chokeberry.  Maybe Chokeberry doesn’t sound so attractive, so some like to call them Black Appleberries.



See, the thing about these deep dark berries is that they help to eliminate inflammation in the body and the antioxidant levels are more than 340% higher than blueberries! 



These deep dark fruits are so easy to grow on super hardy bushes that produce many pounds of fruit each year.  They beauty of Aronia berries is they all ripen at the same time so they can all be harvested now before they begin to shrivel.  They must be pulled from the bushes.  They look like Blueberries in size and similar in color.



If you are looking for a super easy super fruit to grow, you’ll want to consider growing an aronia berry bush. This little-known berry bush offers double pleasure. It is grown for its beauty as an ornamental. With deep green foliage as the backdrop for its pretty white flowers in the spring, and with the contrast of its deep purple berries nestled into its red-orange leaves in the fall, it offers year-round enjoyment. And its edible berries are high in antioxidants, vitamins, and phytonutrients.



Like a persimmon, the aronia berry will sweeten up after a freeze. Many gardeners enjoy the aronia as a berry for juicing, for baking, and for jellies. You will have to be the judge of whether their flavor is right for you. Even if the use of the berry isn’t of importance to you, you will enjoy a lovely bush and birds will feast on these berries during the cold of winter.



Aronia berry bushes (Aronia melanocarpa) are native to North America, and they are suitable to plant in U.S. Department of Agriculture Hardiness Zones 3 to 8. The aronia plant was introduced to Russia and to Eastern Europe in the early 1900s where they gained popularity. There are thousands of acres of aronia growing in Europe today. Here in the CCRES fields aronia is growing in favor for its nutritional value.



Aronia berries are somewhat astringent and taste somewhat like a dry red wine.  They are more palatable when you know the health benefits because you know they are great for you… but you may want to use the fruits in smoothies, for baking or for juice or juice blends.



Pick and freeze the fruits and use as you like throughout the year. Zeljko Serdar, CCRES

Public Call for the citizens - Energy renovation of family houses

The Fund for Environmental Protection and Energy Efficiency is preparing to receive applications for energy renovation of family homes under an HRK 203 million scheme, and individual grants are capped at a maximum of 204,000 kuna.

The ministry of physical planning and construction said in a report published on its website on Wednesday that after the government in mid-May amended the programme for the energy renovation of family homes, the fund published a public call for applications for funding under the HRK 203 million scheme.

Applications can be submitted as of 1 September.

“The aim of the programme is to encourage the implementation of energy efficiency measures and the use of renewable energy sources in family houses. That will lead to a reduction of energy required for heating and cooling in residential buildings, and will consequently increase savings in energy and finances and improve the quality of living,” the ministry says.

Family homes account for two-thirds of the country’s housing stock

The ministry underlines that family homes account to 65% of the country’s housing stock, and their energy consumption accounts for 40% of total energy consumption at the national level.

The majority of family homes were built before 1987 and when assessed for their energy efficiency, they were rated in category E for energy performance certificates (EPCs). These constructions consume 70% of energy for heating, cooling, and hot water. According to some estimates, their energy consumption can be reduced by 60%.

The scheme will provide funds for the insulation of external walls, ceilings, and floors, replacement of windows and doors, etc.

Under the scheme, eligible applicants can count on grants to cover 60% of the costs of energy renovation, with grants capped at 204,000 kuna (€27,200).

Croatians at risk of energy poverty will also be eligible to receive assistance to cover 100% of the approved project costs, and 32 million kuna has been set aside for this purpose under the scheme. Social welfare workers and energy assessors will assist citizens concerned to prepare their applications for full coverage of their energy renovation costs.

Energy efficiency in the building sector

The building design and construction sector (i.e. the building sector) accounts for around 40% of the total energy consumption, so energy efficiency of buildings, which means providing minimum energy consumption in order to achieve the optimum comfort of living and use of the building, is very important. Energy consumption of a building depends on its characteristics (shape and structural materials), installed energy systems (heating system, cooling system, ventilation, electrical devices and lighting used), as well as climatic conditions of the region where it is located.

In general, buildings in Croatia were built before 1987 and as such they do not have adequate thermal protection. As many as 83% of the buildings do not satisfy even the 1987 technical regulations, they have high heat losses with the average energy consumption ranging from 150 to 200 kWh/m2, which classifies them in energy efficiency class E! Increased energy consumption implies higher emissions of CO2 in the atmosphere and it is, therefore, essential to implement the required measures in order to reduce excessive consumption and streamline the utilisation of available energy generating products.

Energy performance of buildings comprises a number of different options for saving thermal energy and electricity, with more rational use of fossil fuels and application of renewable energy sources (RES) in buildings, wherever it is functionally feasible and economically justified. Thermal protection of buildings is one of the key aspects because of its high energy savings potential. By improving thermal insulation of the building, it is possible to reduce the total heat losses of the building from 30% to 60% on average.

Energy efficiency measures in the building sector:

Energy audit of the building and energy performance certificate (EPC) which shows the energy efficiency class of the whole building or part of the building;

Increasing thermal protection of the building (installing heat insulation and energy efficient windows and doors);

Increasing performance of the heating, cooling and ventilation systems;

Increasing performance of the lighting systems and electrical equipment;

Use of renewable energy sources.

The implementation of the measures for increasing energy efficiency in the building sector will result in lower energy consumption of the building and, at the same time, better comfort of living and performance of the building. The preference of measures depends on the energy performance and type of building, its purpose and location, and the best option would be to implement several measures ensuring their synergistic effect and to achieve more notable energy savings.

The Environmental Protection and Energy Efficiency Fund is implementing energy retrofit programmes that were adopted by the Government of the Republic of Croatia, and it is co-financing energy efficiency measures in buildings, with a view to reducing the consumption of energy at national level and reducing CO2 emissions.

Building retrofit (renovation) programmes were adopted for different types of buildings, and they are implemented accordingly:

The implementation of the measures for increasing energy efficiency in the building sector will result in lower energy consumption of the building and, at the same time, better comfort of living and performance of the building. The preference of measures depends on the energy performance and type of building, its purpose and location, and the best option would be to implement several measures ensuring their synergistic effect and to achieve more notable energy savings.

The Environmental Protection and Energy Efficiency Fund is implementing energy retrofit programmes that were adopted by the Government of the Republic of Croatia, and it is co-financing energy efficiency measures in buildings, with a view to reducing the consumption of energy at national level and reducing CO2 emissions.

Building retrofit (renovation) programmes were adopted for different types of buildings, and they are implemented accordingly:

Programme of energy renovation of family houses

Programme of energy renovation of multi-residential buildings

Programme of energy renovation of non-residential commercial buildings

Programmes of energy renovation of public buildings

Measures aimed to achieve energy savings in households represent one of significant guidelines of both European and Croatian energy policy, in accordance with the Energy Development Strategy of the Republic of Croatia, and the current Third National Energy Efficiency Action Plan.

Energy renovation of family houses

 

The Government of the Republic of Croatia, the Ministry of Construction and Physical Planning, and the Ministry of Environmental and Nature Protection, adopted on 27 March 2014 the Programme of energy renovation of family houses, which is implemented by the Environmental Protection and Energy Efficiency Fund. The goal of the Programme is to increase energy efficiency of the existing houses, to reduce energy consumption and emissions of CO2 into the atmosphere, and to reduce the monthly costs for the energy generating products, with the overall improvement of the quality of living. At the same time, the planning of such interventions implies the engagement of the local companies and experts, meaning it promotes economic activities. The first Amendments to the Programme were adopted in 2015, and the Second amendments in 2020. 

After the adoption of the Amendments to the Programme, the Environmental Protection and Energy Efficiency Fund will continue with the national financing of the Programme of energy renovation of family houses in 2020. On 25 June 2020, the Public Call was invited for the citizens (co)owners of the existing family houses falling in the minimum energy category (according to QH,nd) D or below in the continental part of Croatia, or in the energy category C or below in the coastal part of Croatia.

For the purposes of this Programme, a family house is a building:

• where more than 50% of the gross surface area is used for dwelling, and
• which complies with one of these two requirements: has no more than three residential units, and has the gross construction surface area less or equal to 600 m2.

With up to 60% of grant funding, the citizens will be able to get co-financing to increase thermal protection of all elements of the building envelope of the conditioned area: energy renovation of the exterior wall, ceiling, floor, roof (all the required equipment and works related to improving thermal protection, including, for example, waterproofing, replacement of the structural elements of the roof, etc. – the details will be stipulated in the public call); the replacement of the windows and doors in the envelope of the conditioned area, and a comprehensive energy renovation, which implies a combination of measures on the building envelope and installation of RES systems (systems using solar thermal converters, systems using wood chippings/pellets, air-to-water, water-to-water or ground-to-water heat pumps, and photovoltaic systems for the production of electricity for own consumption).

Detailed technical requirements have been set out in the text of the Public Call, as well as the contents of the application documentation. A person can apply to the Public Call using the e-Application system for the Fund’s public calls (they have to register and create a user account first), which must contain the following:

• The main application data (to be filled in online in the e-Application system for the Fund’s public calls)
• Copy of the ID on both sides or the electronic records of residence (the e-Citizens system) or the certificate of residence
• The latest valid proof of legality of the family house pursuant to the Building Act
• The Statement form filled out by the applicant and the Statement filled out by other co-owners (link)
• If the house is part of the listed cultural and historical whole, it requires the approval of the competent state administration body responsible for the protection of cultural and natural monuments
• Proof of ownership or co-ownership (land registry certificate in which the recorded owner is the person applying for the renovation, and it is not necessary for the house subject to energy renovation is recorded in it;  or certificate from the court, where the land register has been destroyed or are not available, that they have either been destroyed or are not available and the Title deed from the local cadastral office)
• If the numbers of land plots un he proof of legality and the proof of ownership differ, the certificate has to be obtained from the competent cadastral office stating that the land plots are equivalent
• A detailed estimate of the contractor for the implementation of the measures specified in the report on energy audit, proving these measures will meet the technical requirements stipulated in the public call
• Photo documentation of the as-is situation
• The report on energy audit and the energy performance certificate (not older than 13 November 2012, which is eligible if there were no energy renovation measures implemented on the house, otherwise a new energy performance certificate has to be issued after implementing the measures)
• In the case of installation of the photovoltaic systems, the main design is required, pursuant to the Ordinance on simple and other buildings and works (Official Gazette 112/17, 34/18, 36/19, and 98/19).

The submission of the applications to the Public Call will start on 1 September 2020 (Tuesday) at 9:00.

Until this date, the citizens have to create and activate their user accounts in the e-Application system for the Fund’s public calls, and they will have the option to fill out the application form and upload the required documentation. (The “Apply” button will not become active until 1 September at 9:00.)

More information about the Public Call for the citizens can be obtained by e-mail at: obiteljske2020@fzoeu.hr

After the applications have been processed, the successful applicants granted the Fund’s resources will receive the Decision and Contract on co-financing. The beneficiaries will then have the period of 24 months from the date of signing the contract to implement energy renovation and submit the documentation required for the payment of the granted funding.

Of the total amount of HRK 203 million allocated for the energy renovation of family houses, HRK 32 million has been earmarked for the financing of energy renovation of family houses for the citizens at risk of energy poverty. Under the social criteria, set out in the Amendments to the Programme, which the Croatian Government adopted in May at the initiative of the Ministry of Construction and Physical Planning, social welfare centres will coordinate certified energy auditors to help in the application process to the citizens most at risk. The envisaged energy renovation measures and the cost of energy auditors for this group of citizens will be fully financed by the Fund.

> Public Call for the citizens at risk of energy poverty    

More information about this part of the Programme can by obtained by e-mail at en.siromastvo@fzoeu.hr

Dedicated to advancing energy efficiency as a means of promoting both economic prosperity and environmental protection.Working to harvest this knowledge. The pioneering experience of corporations, governments and financiers will be captured, analyzed and made available for others to learn from. Zeljko Serdar, CCRES

Pitomi kesten - uzgoj

 

Pitomi kesten

Kesten je jednodomna biljka, pri kojoj se na istom stablu nalaze razdvojeni muški i ženski cvjetovi. Ženski cvjetovi združeni su po 2 - 3 u grozdove i nalaze se na kraju listnih izdanaka. Muški cvjetovi združeni su u kitice (dihazije, mačice) i razvijaju se pri osnovi ljetnih izdanaka. Kesten cvate u lipnju i srpnju. Oprašivanje vrše vjetar i kukci (pčele). Važno je da se posade razne sorte kestena radi međusobnog oprašivanja. Plod je crvenkasto-smeđe boje i glatke površine. Raste unutar bodljikave košuljice koja se raspukne u jesen kada plod sazrije. Listanje kestena započinje u travnju. Listovi su duguljasti, krupno nazubljeni, 8 - 18 cm dugi i 3 - 6 cm široki, na licu goli, a na naličju dlakavi.

Drvo kestena je u srodstvu s bukvom i hrastom, dugovječno, može narasti u visinu do 25 m s bujnom, velikom krošnjom i godišnje dati preko 200 kg plodova. Kora mu je glatka i sivosmeđa. Može doseći starost preko 500 godina. Botaničari kesten ubrajaju u voćke, no zbog načina i mjesta rasta spada i u šumsko drveće. Mjestimično čini i šume, a često se javlja u zajednici s hrastom kitnjakom i grabom.

Agroekološki uvjeti za podizanje nasada kestena

Temperatura

Pitomi kesten je voćka toplih krajeva i pripada grupi heliofilnih biljaka kojima je potrebno puno svjetlosti. Pitomom kestenu najviše odgovara mediteranska i umjereno-kontinentalna klima sa srednjom godišnjom temperaturom od 11 - 15 °C. Uspješna proizvodnja moguća je na temperaturama do 37 °C i -26 °C jer temperature veće od 37 °C i manje od 26 °C onemogućavaju plodonošenje.

Voda

Voda je od izuzetne važnosti u periodu razvijanja cvjetnih pupoljaka, cvjetanja, zametanja plodova i njihovog porasta. Za dobar rast i razvoj cjelokupnog debla potrebno je provođenje navodnjavanja tijekom uzgoja. U periodu sađenja, mladicama treba osigurati najmanje 60 l vode raspoređeno na tri dijela po 20 l.

Tlo

Izbjegava se vapno i vapneni dodatci jer na takvim mjestima kesten slabije uspijeva. Vrlo je važno da tlo bude dobro strukturirano i duboko tako da se u njemu može razvijati kestenov snažan korijen. Najpogodnija su ilovasto-pjeskovita zemljišta u kojima je odnos gline prema pjesku 60:40 i pH vrijednost se kreće od 4,0 do 6,0.

Agrotehnika pri podizanju nasada kestena

Priprema tla za sadnju

Iako je kesten šumska biljka, dobro reagira na gnojenje dušikom, a može mu se dodati i nešto fosfora i kalija. Teren se čisti od krupnog kamenja, panjeva, žila ostalog drveća i žbunja. Tlo se zatim ravna kako bi se obavila gnojidba, oranje i sadnja. Ukoliko je teren na kojem se planira podizanje nasada pitomog kestena suviše strmo, potrebno je napraviti terase. Poslije pripreme tla za sadnju obavlja se rigolanje na 60 - 80 cm dubine.

Gnojidba

U periodu starosti, ako se mjerama rezidbe pitomi kesten pomlađuje, potrebno je gnojiti dušičnim gnojivima da bi se što bolje i više razvile mladice na kojima se razvijaju cvjetovi i plodovi. U periodu pune rodnosti, da bi se ostvario prinos od 10 000 kg/ha potrebo je u tlo aplicirati 135 kg/ha dušika, 40 kg/ha fosfora i 150 kg/ha kalija. Radi održavanja humusa u tlu na najmanje 3 %, treba svake godine u jesen zaorati po 10 000 kg/ha stajnjaka.

Održavanje nasada

Vrši se međuredna kultivacija. Zemljište se obavezno praši, tj. usitnjava sloj zemlje na dubini 5 - 7 cm. Usitnjavanje se vrši i poslije navodnjavanja, kako se ne bi stvorila pokorica i na taj način brzo gubila vlaga. Zemljište u nasadu pitomog kestena se u toku ljeta obrađuje uglavnom do kraja srpnja, što zavisi od učestalosti i obilnosti kiša. Zemljište od polovice kolovoza ne bi trebalo obrađivati jer bi se stvorili uvjeti za produžetak vegetacije i stabla kestena bi u period mirovanja ušla sa nesazrelim mladicama koje bi zbog mraza mogle izmrznuti. Kesten se orezuje kada je u fazi mirovanja i to uglavnom u svrhu pomlađivanja, tj. uklanjanja starih grana.

Proizvodnja sadnica

Sadnice pitomog kestena proizvode se generativno (sjetvom plodova u kojima se nalazi jedan ili više sjemenih zametaka) i vegetativno (izdancima i kalemljenjem). Obavljaju se operacije odabiranja, stratifikacije, zasnivanje rastila (priprema zemljišta za sadnju i njegu podloga), kalemljenje, uzgoj sadnica, vađenje, trapljenje, pakovanje i prijevoz sadnica.

Prije sadnje na stalno mjesto, žile na sadnicama se prorjeđuju i skrate za 1/3. Potapaju se u homogenu smjesu napravljenu od goveđeg gnoja, ilovače i vode.

Izbor položaja za podizanje nasada kestena

Najprimjereniji položaj za kesten je položaj koji je osvjetljen i s kojega voda dobro otječe, s rahlim tlom bogatim humusom, i što je važno, blago kiselim. Takvi su južni, jugoistočni i istočni položaji.

Izbor uzgojnog oblika kestena

Kesten se uzgaja u piramidnu ili kotlastu krošnju. Orezivanje je ograničeno na najnužnije zahvate, a obuhvaća čišćenje krošnje i usmjeravanje grana. Sve rane nastale orezivanjem potrebno je premazati voskom za cijepljenje.

Vrijeme i tehnika sadnje kestena

Prilikom sadnje, sadne jame moraju biti nešto veće (70 - 80 ili 100 cm dubine). Potrebno je osigurati dovoljnu količinu humusa. Zemlji kojom se zatrpava jama oko sadnice treba dodati 2 kg kompleksnih mineralnih gnojiva (NPK 0:15:30). Razmak sadnje mora omogućiti dovoljno širok hranjivi prostor i maksimalan razvoj krošnje te što lakše kretanje mehanizacije. Najbolji rezultati i najviše sadnica se posadi ako se sadi po principu jednakostraničnog trokuta.

Kada se sadi u jesen, što je i najpogodnije, sadnica se ne zalijeva, već se oko nje nabaci zemlja u vidu humka (visine 15 cm) i tako ostavi do proljeća. Na isti se način vrši sađenje i u toku zime. Ako se sadi u proljeće, oko svake sadnice napravi se ljevkasto udubljenje i zalije s 8 - 10 l vode. Kada zemlja upije vodu, udubljenje treba prekriti sitnom zemljom ili zrelim stajskim gnojem u sloju od 4 - 5 cm.

Berba i skladištenje kestena

U rujnu, kada plodovi zore, mogu se lako otresti, ili se pak pusti da sami popadaju s drveta. Ljuštenje plodova iz ježinaca koji su pali na tlo, pospješuje se tako da se ježinci pograbljaju na hrpu i tako ostave nekoliko dana. Plodovi nakon nekoliko dana dodatnog zorenja sami ispadaju iz ježinaca i tada su i ukusniji.

Plodovi kestena pohranjuju se u spremišta ili skladišta pri 80 % relativne vlažnosti zraka i pri temperaturi od 0 °C. U takvim uvjetima plodovi mogu izdržati dva do tri mjeseca.

 Troškovi osnivanja nasada

Za 1 ha površine potrebno je 120-150 sadnica kestena, za koje je potrebno od 15.000- 20.000 kn, a koje mogu dati 3-5 tona ploda u punoj rodnosti. Kada plodovi dozore moguće ih je otresati, bilo ručno čime je moguće ubrati oko 15 kg ploda dnevno, bilo strojno – usisivačima koji dnevno beru 200-250 kg ploda. Cijena takvog stroja iznosi 8-12.000 €. Plodove je moguće i pustiti da sami padnu na tlo, pa onda obaviti berbu. Skladište se pri relativnoj vlazi zraka od 80% i temperaturi od 0°C, te ih je u tim uvjetima moguće čuvati 2-3 mjeseca.

U investiciji najveći udio imaju troškovi sadnica s udjelom od 19% u ukupnoj investiciji. To je i razumljivo budući da je za dobar urod nužna sadnja selekcioniranih sadnica visoke kvalitete koje imaju visoku nabavnu cijenu.

Sadnja sjemenjaka nije preporučljiva jer se dobivaju biljke neujednačene kvalitete i rodnosti. U intenzivnim nasadi ma ovakvoga tipa neophodno je navodnjavanje, da bi sadnice razvile svoj genetski potencijal i dale očekivani urod. Sustav za navodnjavanje čini 8% troška investicije. Kesten se prodaje na tržištu za konzumaciju u svježem stanju ili za preradu. Ranosezonski kesten ostvaruje veću prodajnu cijenu od kasnojesenskog. U Hrvatskoj se kesten uglavnom konzumira na tradicionalan način, kuhan ili pečen, i to samo u sezoni sazrijevanja dok je tržište ostalih prerađevina kestena jako skromno. Treba napomenuti da u kalkulaciju nisu ušli fiksni troškovi kao što su amortizacija, te trošak stalno zaposlenih radnika. Ovakav prinos je moguće ostvariti samo uz visokokvalitetne sadnice njegovane odgovarajućim agrotehničkim mjerama, uključujući natapanje. Kalkulacija je rađena za godine pune rodnosti nasada, koje se kod pitomog kestena ostvaruju oko 15. godine starosti. U troškovima se ističe trošak berbe s udjelom od 36%, koji bi u slučaju ručne berbe bio još puno veći. Uzgoj pitomog kestena može biti zanimljiv, osobito uzgoj maruna koji postiže i duplo višu otkupnu cijenu od ostalih sorti kestena , ali je potrebno kod podizanja nasada koristiti kvalitetne sadnice, uz korištenje natapanja za ostvarivanje visokih prinosa. Investicija u nasad traje četiri godine, a nasad u puni rod ulazi oko 15-te godine. Zbog raka kestenove kore, koji napada europske sorte kestena i marune, u osnivanju nasada je potrebno razmisliti o sadnji križanaca europskog kestena s japanskim ili kineskim, jer njih osim otpornosti na rak kore karakterizira i raniji ulazak u rodnost, što može povećati ekonomičnost, ali se kao ograničenje javlja osjetljivost na kasne mrazeve.

Odlučite li se za sadnju kestena maruna bitno je znati:

pH zemljišta mora biti ispod 6,5 (blago kisela)

kesten marun voli prozračna i ocijedita tla gdje se voda ne zadršava dulje vrijeme (blagi nagibi su idealni)

birajte sorte ili hibride otporne na rak kestenove kore, osu šiškaricu i trulež korijena

prvih godina voli da ga se navodnjava, a kasnije je navodnjavanje dodatan plus

sadnice kojima je korijen mikoriziran micelijem mikoriznih gljiva jamče veću otpornost na sušu, fitoftoru, brži rast i veću apsorpciju hranjivih tvari iz zemlje

ranije sorte su osjetljive na kasni proljetni mraz kao i orasi  pa im više odgovaraju povišena mjesta 300 – 600 m ili mjesta gdje su rijetki jači mrazevi

voli sunce, no mlade sadnice je potrebno zaštiti od prejakoga sunca bojanjem stabla vapnom ili stavljanjem zaštitnih tuba koje ujedno štite voćku od glodavaca

prilikom obrezivanja ili jačeg ranjavanja kore obavezno je voćarskim voskom premazati ranu kako bi se spriječila eventualna gljivična infekcija

birajte sorte ili hibride pogodne za vašu klimu i svrhu (plodovi, drvo, med)

maruni u pravilu nisu samooprašivi pa je potrebno zasaditi barem dvije ili više sorti

mogući je ekološki uzgoj ili konvencionalni kao i kod većine voćnih vrsta

maruni rode već od svoje treće godine starosti, dok se puni prinos očekuje nakon 10. godine

možete iskoristiti bespovratna sredstva iz EU fondova za podizanje trajnog nasada

Od kada je sredinom prošlog stoljeća sa kineskoga kestena prenešena gljivična infekcija (tzv. rak kore) na europski kesten došlo je do devastacije velikog djela kestenovih šuma što je uzrokovalo porast cijene kestena. Srećom razvijeni su hibridi koji imaju visoku otpornost, a pojedini sorte su i same stekle imunitet.

Posljednjih godina cijena maruna u maloprodaji kod nas kretala se od 45 kn/kg za talijanske marune te 60 kn/kg za krupnije španjolske i portugalske.

Na jedan hektar plantažeri prosječno sakupe od 3000-4000 kg, a neki čak i do 6000 kg prema španjolskim izvorima, ovisno o agrotehničkim mjerama i sustavu sadnje, što kesten marun čini vrlo profitabilnom i zanimljivom voćnom vrstom kako za profesionalce tako i za one koji imaju viška zemlje, a ne žele poput većine saditi lješnjake ili orahe.

Kod podizanja plantažnog nasada kestena maruna bitno se držati gore nabrojenih preduvjeta, odlučiti se za sklop sadnje koji se najčešće kreće od 6 x 6m, 7 x 9m, 10 x 10m pa na više, odabrati idelane sorte, njihov omjer i nabaviti kvalitetne sadnice.

Obavezno obratite pažnju na podlogu na koju je cijepljena plemka. Ona bi također trebala biti vegetativno razmnoženi hibrid (klon) otporan na trulež korijena te koji je kompatibilan sa plemkom. Podloge izrasle iz sjemena kestena (tzv. sjemenjaci) to nisu te vam dugoročno ne jamče otpornost na trulež korijena kao ni kompatibilnost sa plemkom pa može doći do pucanja kore i infekcije rakom kore.

To Prune or not to Prune

Just for a moment, think about the last time you chomped on a mouthful of juicy peaches, savored freshly-made apricot jam or tasted a slice of warm apple pie. We take great delight from these and a variety of other fruits that grow in great abundance throughout the Croatia. It’s hard to imagine life without them.

One key to preserving these delicious traditions is maintaining the health and productivity of the fruit trees in your own backyard through proper pruning methods. Pruning will improve the overall health and growth of your fruit tree. Pay attention to the structure of your tree annually, and you’ll add years of better production.

The ideal time to prune your fruit trees is in the late winter and early spring before bud-break, bloom and leaf emergence. This is when the trees are dormant, which reduces stress and allow cuts to heal or harden off. No foliage makes pruning easier. There may be rare occasions when it’s necessary to prune in the summer, for instance if you need to open a canopy for greater light penetration.

Thinning overgrown trees to remove dead or unhealthy limbs/branches to allow for better light infiltration is one of several reasons to prune your fruit trees. The more leaves exposed to good light, the more energy that is produced. Thinning the limbs also helps produce fruit with less bruising and scarring.

Pruning controls the height of a tree and the size of the branches. Three or four main branches with smaller limbs will carry fruit better than long, thin branches and improves weight distribution on your fruit tree.

Pruning makes it possible for you to shape the tree. You can decide the height of the branches for picking fruit and/or how low to the ground they are for mowing around them.

Although fruit trees are generally pruned to a height comfortable for picking, it’s important to understand that each species or type of fruit tree should be pruned differently.

Fruit trees that produce “pome fruits,” including apples and pears, have a core of several small seeds surrounded by a tough membrane.

For these types of fruit trees, we recommend the “central leader” style of pruning, which creates a sort of pyramid shape with a strong center. To do this, preserve a single main, vertical trunk by removing competing upright shoots. Select and prune around three or four scaffold branches about 20-30 inches up from the ground with three or four upper scaffold branches about 18-20 inches above the first set. All the scaffold branches should be angled about 45-60 degrees from the trunk.

Apples and pears both develop better fruit on horizontal branches. Keep in mind that fruiting buds on apple and pear trees produce more fruit on terminal buds or buds at the end of a branch or spur, so take care to preserve as many of these buds as possible when pruning. Apples and pears produce fruit on 2-year-old branches/spurs.

For these types of fruit trees, we recommend the “central leader” style of pruning, which creates a sort of pyramid shape with a strong center. To do this, preserve a single main, vertical trunk by removing competing upright shoots. Select and prune around three or four scaffold branches about 20-30 inches up from the ground with three or four upper scaffold branches about 18-20 inches above the first set. All the scaffold branches should be angled about 45-60 degrees from the trunk.

Apples and pears both develop better fruit on horizontal branches. Keep in mind that fruiting buds on apple and pear trees produce more fruit on terminal buds or buds at the end of a branch or spur, so take care to preserve as many of these buds as possible when pruning. Apples and pears produce fruit on 2-year-old branches/spurs.

Peaches and apricot trees should be pruned on an open vase system. Fruiting buds on peach and apricot trees only occur on the second year of growth on branches. Prune out about 50 percent of the branches that produced last year and leave enough new growth for the fruit to bloom. Pay attention to the weight distribution. Cutting that much of the tree out will stimulate new growth for next year’s production and pruning. Remove all suckers, shoots coming from the roots or stem below the graft, on a regular basis. Once harvested, enjoy your peaches and apricots dried, frozen, canned/bottled, made into jam or eaten fresh.

Sweet cherry trees grow tall at a fast rate and tart cherry trees naturally stay smaller. With sweet cherries, skip a single year of pruning in the open vase style. Fruiting buds occur on older wood in spurs, small but noticeable clusters of buds that produce flowers. Both sweet and tart varieties of cherries are grown in our region, and are enjoyed fresh off the tree, in mouthwatering pies, and much more.

Whether new or established, plum trees need annual pruning in an open vase style. As the tree fills out with new growth, continue to prune to form a canopy.

When you finish pruning, be sure to dispose of all removed branches. It’s important to burn or take away any wood that appears diseased or had past problems.

The better you get at pruning your fruit tree’s branches, the more likely you will enjoy bigger, sweeter fruit, even on lighter production years. When all the work is done, may you relish the fruits of your labor and let us know how we can offer greater service whether you’re planting, pruning or preserving.