I'm going to start bagging apricots, peaches, cherries, everything... Its so annoying trying to fight off one insect after another as the season progresses. Its sure a heck of a lot easier bagging then it is trying to time sprays and hoping your not too late.

I bagged 600 apples this year. I would think 1000 to be pushing the limit. I found that some varieties had longer stems and were very easy to bag, while others were difficult and slow to do. Bagging cherries? That's interesting. I would be curious to hear how that works. I have some sweet cherries that have blossomed a bit, but never born fruit. This far north they are mostly experimental. If I ever get a small number of cherries, that might be worth a shot if it doesn't lead to brown rot, etc. You know, they make tiny ziplocks (about 2" x 2") for storing pills, etc. Don't know where one can buy them. For just a few cherries that would be easier than trying to net the tree. We gardeners can go to desperate measures at times, can't we? Northwoodswis

I kinda sorta kept track of my time and figured about 16 hours to prepare and bag a thousand. Next year I'm going to record all aspects all the way from walking around Wallymart to find them to sweeping up the little cut corners of the bags that have are still showing up around the house. Dw has been very good about not razzing me. I try to vac 'em up often.

Herbert
Mineral Bluff, GA

That sounds about right for the time it took. I think of it as a hobby, not work. I get to be out in the sunshine, watch for migrating warblers, listen to my bluebirds, etc. Since the apples I missed last year were total misshapen junk and the bagged ones were perfect, it gives me incentive to stick with the job. Northwoodswis

I don't mind it either. I think its relaxing, not a chore. I also know what you mean about longer stems. One of my trees (Mcintosh?) had really nice long stems, made bagging a piece of cake.

I bagged ONE! sweet cherry (Black Gold). You know why? Because PC got every other one! I'm tempted to bag my nectarines or at least a few.

I bag 100 Arkansas Black to get some keepers. 100 McIntosh to get enough pie. 100 Cortland just because. Beyond that the spray had better work.
As more trees come into bear I'll adjust that. I bagged all 6 of my Lodi just so I'd be sure to get enough for a pie. I'll probably bag one Red Rome to make sure I can taste one.

I imagine plums may take a lot of bags but if sprays do a good enough job I'll only bag enough to get some keepers and the rest will go to wine.

I find it relaxing, too. I'm down in my beautiful orchard on a spring morning protecting my babies - what could be better?! The scent of the blossoms, thinning, planning pruning cuts, looking for bugs and cankers. It's all good.

I find that all my friends think I'm bonkers and say they would go mad, but sixteen hours is nothing but time well spent. I think they are crazy to NOT have such an endeavour!

Herbert
Mineral Bluff, GA