Good idea!!! I will try it next season.

Tony

This post was edited by tonytran on Fri, Aug 23, 13 at 15:28

At first I was concerned that the metal would get too hot in the sun, but so far that has not been an issue. I may expand this approach to include some other fruit next year.

mrclint,

Sounds like a genius idea. How easy are they to harvest this way? A perfectly reusable solution. I bet that would even protect quite a bit from hail too.

This is my first go-round with this approach, but the plan is to use a staple remover on the top row of staples.

I should add that the fold is on the bottom and then the sides are stapled. I then slip the pom into the open end (top) and staple the top shut.

No loses or problems yet with the pouches. Something got most of my Pink Lady apples, so next year they will be pouched up as well.

Genius. Best idea I've seen so far for poms. Can you provide a nice close up of the screen so we can see how you have it stapled and folded? Lost my one and only Angel Red pom, was pretty fried about that, really wanted to taste test it against Wonderful, sigh.

Patty S.

I find the worst varmints in my pome trees are friendly people....steal all the best fruit

I have a low-tech line drawing that details the steps to build the pouches.

1. Roll out the screen and cut out a good-sized section of material. No need for precision. Use a utility knife or wire cutters. This will ultimately be cut into thirds to make three pouches, so think of pouches big enough to encase a softball.
2. Take your cut out section and roll it over in to thirds for step 3.
4. Cut the section into thirds with two cuts.
5. Since you weren't too precise, you will end up with a rectangle. Fold the long portion of the section evenly to form a taco of sorts.
6. Staple the sides of the taco to make a pouch. Keep the top end open.
7. You may need to prune some leaves and branches away from the fruit so that the pouch fits over cleanly. Place the fruit in the open end of the pouch and then staple it right up to the branch.

Mr. Clint, if you're still watching this thread...can you tell me if you are using aluminum screen or non-aluminum metal screening. And since it's been three years since this thread, how are the pouches doing?

I tried aluminum screen pouches about 5 years ago but on young trees the squirrels would pull them off and break the thin branch/spur at the same time. It wasn't until last year that I tried using metal poles to attach stabilizing wires to the pouches/pillow and that keeps the squirrels from pulling them off. But I've been using aviary wire to make the pouches/pillow and it's not as easy to work with since I use wires to sew them up. I may try screening again and put some grommets in the pouches so I can attach the stabilizing wires.

BTW, what size staples are you using?

John

Yes, aluminum works fine.