Delicate fruit

Now is the most dangerous time for apricots

The small fruits can only withstand around one degree below zero before they burst

(Bild: Wenzel Markus)

The small, young fruits are very susceptible, especially to the cold. Farmers are optimistic despite the three-week delay in the flowering phase, hoping for plus temperatures and a plentiful harvest in June. One farmer is even using a device that is unique in Austria to combat the sub-zero temperatures.

We are three weeks earlier than normal. It should actually be flowering time now, but instead the apricots are already hanging on the trees," reports Horst Hubmer from Firlingerhof in Scharten. "The young fruits are much more sensitive than the blossoms and burst at around one degree below zero!"

Danger not yet overcome
It had already frozen on Monday night, but not long enough to cause serious damage, according to the farmer. Before it gets warmer in the middle of this week, farmers and their fruit will have to tremble again on Wednesday morning. Even after that, apricots, cherries and the like are not yet out of the woods: hail, storms or cold icy weather can still ruin the harvest.

The "Fogdragon" uses biomass and water to create a protective layer of very fine water vapor

(Bild: Wenzel Markus)

Ilse Schedlberger and Horst Hubmer roam through their lush green plantations

(Bild: Wenzel Markus)

Lots of fruit
But: "We are optimists, we can't look ahead anyway," smiles fruit farmer Hermann Steiner. "After all, the blossom was better than it has been for a long time!" Horst Hubmer agrees with this: "We even have to thin out some of the fruit so that they have enough space and light. After all, one large apricot tastes better than two small ones!"

Dragon that spits fog
In the fight against the cold, he also uses innovative equipment: the "Fogdragon" is the first of its kind in the whole of Austria. Heated with biomass, the trailer sprays a fine water vapor over the plants, which can protect the sensitive fruit from frost on clear nights. "But it mustn't be windy!" says Hubmer.

Apples have also withered
Normally, the apples would now be in bloom, but they too have long since wilted. However, this does not automatically result in an earlier harvest: cold spells such as the one that is due to end soon could push back the ripening period, so that the harvest settles at the usual time in June, says the farmer. So we can continue to hope for a plentiful harvest!