Our Summerfruit & Stonefruit Knowledge

Our Growers | Zaknich Farms - Zakberry

Waitakere strawberry grower Mark Zaknich is a year into a long-term plan to move a portion of his field-grown strawberry production under cover.
A lifelong berry grower having taken over the Zakberry operation from his father Ivan, Mark spent some time considering the pros and cons of tabletop growing, starting with a small trial in 2020...

Our Growers | Danube Orchards

Anthony Rakich is a third-generation strawberry grower. Based at Whenuapai, the team at Danube Orchards use a tabletop growing system, offering a more sustainable solution. Remembering visiting the local Fruitfed Supplies store as a child, Anthony now uses the team for advice on nutrient combinations and spray programmes to help manage pests and diseases.  

• For any late summerfruit varieties, brown rot (Monilia cinerea) infection still presents a significant risk in the weeks leading into harvest. If wet weather occurs during this period, apply a suitable fungicide, e.g. Luna Sensation®, or Rovral Aquaflo® prior to rainfall events..
• Monitor for carpophilus beetle and control as required with registered products such as Vayego®.

• Satisfactory control of blast and bacterial spot (Pseudomonas syringae) requires keeping bacterial populations low within canopies to prevent opportunities for infections to establish. No resting stages are known in the lifecycle of blast, but the sites of bacterial activity alternate between branch cankers in winter and leaf spots in summer. Applications of copper during the post-harvest (pre-leaf fall) and leaf-fall periods are vital to protect leaf scars from infection. Repeat applications will be necessary if there are several rainfall events.