I found non such, just the smashed and part-devoured remains of Shiro plums on the ground beneath the tree
[sigh]
I found non such, just the smashed and part-devoured remains of Shiro plums on the ground beneath the tree
[sigh]
I can identify with you. I was away for a long weekend and came back to find the squirrels had gone on a rampage on my nearly-ripe Satsuma plum as well as several peach trees.
I’ve trapped many dozens but they are still coming, its a massive squirrel year here.
I picked a half-dozen Shiros yesterday, hope they ripen some off the tree
Never had such varmint trouble as this year - rabbits and squirrels, primarily
Had to net the green beans, of all things, and I plan to fence the fall peas - that’s rabbits
That looks so cool! Still, when I see that pic I can’t help thinking that I hope no one is standing under one of those if detaches.
That looks so precarious!
I love this. Have you ever tried this before with this variety? And what variety is this. Those stems seem to be thickening for the occasion. 
I have one of the motion detecting sprinklers aimed at my tree along with balloons in it because the birds keep pecking everything.
The watermelons are Sugar Baby, the melons are Petit Gris de Rennes, both from Bakercreek Seeds.
What high temp do you usually rum in your gh during the summer months? Mine is usually low 90’s by mid July or so and it cools to mid seventies eventually at night.
I definitely saw some bird-pecked fruits
This summer mostly 90-95 for high. Last yr I let the warm end by the exhaust fans reach ~100 for benefit of the figs and drying of fruit. I may do that again right now. I could hold it below 90 by running all fans and the wet wall but chose to run 2 of 3 fans. Our nights fall to 60-70 June thru August and I keep one fan pulling air 24/7. That helps to keep out some insects and lowers humidity at night.
Another thing i’ve been doing is using pieces of hardware cloth (That i use to protect tree trunks in the winter) over the fruit. It seems to work. No new pecks on a few branches i covered. I know the squirrels won’t be stopped…i saw a big squirrel go into the plum yesterday and just run off across the street with a huge plum in his mouth. He’ll pay.
Been drying fruit non stop for two months. This is today’s setup. Notice the water moats to keep ants at bay.
Fruits include Crimson Royale pluots, Strawberry Verte figs, and Princess grapes.
Will eat well this winter and have Xmas gifts to boot…!!
How did you cut the pluots that way?
Fruitnut, as usual a beautiful job. I am hoping for my first pears this fall. Now is need to know how long it takes each of the three pears I have to ripen. On the tree off the tree? I have Seckel, Flemish Beauty and Bartlett.
Crimson Royal is freestone. So cut around the seed along the suture line, remove seed, and slice thinly for rapid drying. I’m not sure how they’ll taste. In the past I’ve thought dried pluots don’t taste as good as the fresh fruit it was made from. But in general good dried fruit comes from fruit that was good fresh.
Picking pears at the right time is difficult. As is ripening after picking. I haven’t tried to dry pears.
I believe Seckel and Bartlett don’t need elaborate ripening protocals.
Thanks! You’re a 
Major storms this afternoon…lost some fruit from very strong winds. A bunch of my sunflowers snapped (these things always seem to rot at the base)… 1.5 inches of rain and that came in the way of heavy downpour, so everything was just flowing/ponding everywhere. Low 90Fs/humid but cold front is going to bring relief for the next 3 or so (80F/60F Fri/sat/sun)…nice