He will also discuss their protocols for Integrated Pest Management for sweet cherry. Originally, Balmer was to team up at the school with Michael Weber, a talented fruit marketing cooperative advisor from the Bodensee in southwest Germany. Unfortunately, Weber had to cancel due to some unforeseen circumstances. Balmer was a featured speaker this past July at the International Cherry Symposium in western Norway. Farmers are encouraged to grow sweet cherries by the government.
Sweet cherries gives Norwegian commerce a valued export market product for the European market.
They grow them in high density spindle systems on dwarfing rootstocks. During our orchard visits, small new plantings were observed being established on Gisela 5 and other rootstocks. Rain shelters are now a common part of establishing sweet cherry orchards systems in Norway to reduce cracking. Other strategies for reducing rain cracking of fruit will be discussed at the school. Contact Ron Perry at the Department of Horticulture, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824 for further information about the school.