A cherry orchard in Marlborough, operated by Caythorpe Family Estate, has successfully navigated through a potential frost event, indicating a promising outlook for the upcoming harvest season. The region experienced temperatures dropping to 1.3C early Friday, with snow affecting nearby areas, yet the estate's cherry crops remained unaffected. Simon Bishell, the estate's owner, highlighted the absence of frost in his orchard, which spans 4 hectares, as he prepares for the harvest set to commence next week.
Bishell, representing the fifth generation at Caythorpe Family Estate, acknowledged the challenges posed by late November cold snaps in previous years. He detailed the contingency measures available to orchardists, including the use of fans and helicopters to mitigate frost damage. The current year has been favorable for cherry cultivation, despite the inherent risks such as rain, low temperatures, and bird activity that can impact the crops adversely.
The conducive climate of Marlborough for cherry growth mirrors the region's success with grape cultivation, benefiting from hot, warm, and dry conditions. Bishell emphasized the importance of weather conditions during the flowering period for optimal fruit set, reliant on pollination by honey bees. The flowering at Caythorpe typically occurs from early to mid-September, with harvesting following approximately 75 days later, extending over three to four weeks. Quality assessment involves checking the size, color, and sugar content of the cherries, using a refractometer for precision.
Caythorpe cherries vary from ripe, dark red fruit to less ripe yellow variants, with the top of the trees yielding the largest, ripest cherries due to greater sunlight exposure. Measures such as covering the orchard's bird netting are employed to protect the cherries from rain and bird damage. The estate's production primarily serves wholesale markets, constituting 80% of its distribution, while the remaining 20% is sold directly to consumers. The workforce comprises six full-time staff, supplemented by up to 10 seasonal workers during the summer, often including university students on break.
Bishell reflected on the significant reduction in cherry orchard acreage in Marlborough over the past three decades, from several hundred hectares to currently no more than 25 to 30 hectares. He estimated Marlborough's share of New Zealand's cherry orchards at 3%, with Otago dominating the sector at 95%, and Hawke's Bay accounting for the remaining 2%.
Source: Stuff