Unable to obtain trees on virus-free M.9 rootstocks, Australian orchardists like Howard Hansen have to get by with more vigorous rootstocks and use techniques such as girdling or growth regulators to control tree vigor. Being an orchardist in Tasmania is different, and not just because the seasons are opposite from those of the Northern Hemisphere. “The first point about apple growing in this country is our market demands smaller fruit,” explained Howard Hansen, an orchardist at Grove, Tasmania. “The optimum size for us is 170 to 175 grams [fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” […]