Apple Bagging
Procedures
You will find in your packet enough material to bag the number of tree varieties you indicated to us. Each tree should have 15 apples in the trial (5 using drawstring baggies, 5 controls (colored ribbon), and 5 using zipper type plastic bags). We are also including two additional bags for your personal use. We want you to eat those apples and give us your opinion on taste compared to unbagged apples.01 The drawstring bag should be put around the apple and tied shut around the stem. Do not put any foliage in the bag as this can cause mold and rot.
02 This is the control and will be used to determine the amount of actual damage that could have potentially occurred on the apples if they were not bagged. Tie or staple this ribbon around the stem of the apple, where it attaches to the branch.
03 This method uses zipper type bags. Place the bag over the apple and zip shut. Place a staple along both sides of the stem to keep the bag closed.
Remember that at this size the apples are very vulnerable to falling off. So use precaution in handling the apples. Thin the number of apples to one or two per site. This will give us a higher quality apple. We have snipped the corners of the bags to allow water to drain out of the bag.
If a bag falls off or the apple drops off the tree any time during the project record it on our bagging form. We are interested in knowing if this is related to the variety.
If you have any questions regarding the apple- bagging project feel free to call 1-320-762-3890.
Thanks for your interest in our bagging project.
Larry Zilliox
Extension Educator