Gary: Certainly sounds like you have not left an excess of the early setting fruit. So why not leave some of the later setting fruit and see how the final size compares. Also see how the eating quality compares. What I've read says to leave the largest fruit on a tree regardless of how it is distributed. However, your situation sounds a little off the norm, so why not experiment a little and see what happens.

The Fruitnut

Thanks fruitnut, I think I will. Another question I have is where to get the best deal on nylon type stuff to cover fruit to try to dissuade bugs?

Gary

Gary: I bought mine at Store Supply Warehouse, 1-800-823-8887. Got the beige footies for women, I think. They went on easily and stayed on. I pulled them tight around the stem, folded over the excess, and stapled with a small paper stapler. Not sure how effective on insect control, but worth a try. Did do a good job holding off the birds and lasted 90+ days in West Texas sun.

The Fruitnut

Fruitnut,

How much do they cost including shipping and in what quantity?

Are those the "single use" try-on kind for show stores? The Home Orchard Society in Portland was selling those this year at their annual scion exchange. I bought a couple of gross to try.

These kind apparently stretch, but have no elasticity so once stretched they don't contract back. They supposedly work very well if applied when the apples are very small, and also supposedly stay on without any stapling or other fastener.

I found some locally at a family owned shoe store, $6 for 144. I don't seem to have squirrel problems, but bugs or birds it might help with. Thanks for the help!

Gary