Cider Chat
Dr. John Cline and Derek Plotkowski chat on the study of pomes, i.e., Pomology and their current research on cider apples. They are based at the University of Guelph in Ontario Canada.
The Ontario Craft Cider Association approached Dr. Cline looking for access to cider varieties and to get an understanding of how they would grow in Canada.
Cline and Plotkowski, are researching the horticultural aspects of growing these cider varieties in Canada, such as;
The results of this research and starting data should begin to show preliminary information in 2017.
Says Dr. Cline, "In Canada apples are second to blueberries in terms of fruit crops. In terms of tree crops they are number 1"
Derek is working towards his Ph. D. in pomology. He studied previously at Cornell University in New York State.
While in France, he took a "Terroir Management" course. Go to 43 minutes in to the start of this conversation.
"When you are taking about terroir you are talking about a very specific spot" – Derek
The goal is to have trees producing more fruits and yielding a higher crop load on the tree and consistent size.
The pomologist are studying, young trees grown in a high density orchard: They take leaf samples (mid July) to assess the nitrogen concentration in a plant.
Too much nitrogen lends to poor quality
Says Derek, "The cidermaker is taking care of the juice as a medium for yeast"
Dr. John Cline
Derek Plotskowski
eMail: dplotkow@uoguelph.ca
Derk's grad student profile: http://www.plant.uoguelph.ca/treefruit/teaching/grad/current.html
Donate to Cider Chat! Help keep the chat thriving! via my Pateron page.