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The 12 growth stages, explained
A plain-language tour from delayed dormancy to pre-harvest.
Applefy follows the growth stages in the SKUAST Integrated Management Guide for Apple Orchards, Kashmir. Each stage has its own checklist. Here is what the names mean.
- Delayed Dormancy. Buds are waking up and swelling, but no green is showing yet.
- Green Tip. The first green leaf tissue appears at the tip of the bud.
- Tight Cluster. Leaves open and the flower buds are still packed closely together.
- Pink Bud. The flower buds separate and show pink. This is a key stage for scab protection.
- Flowering. Blossoms are open and bees are working. Take care with anything you spray.
- Petal Fall. Most petals have dropped and the tiny fruit is starting to form.
- Fruit Let. The fruit is set and small. Thinning decisions begin here.
- Fruit Development I to IV. Four stages of steady fruit growth through summer, each with its own feeding and protection needs.
- Pre-Harvest. The last weeks before picking, with attention to fruit drop, colour and storage quality.
In the app you confirm your orchard's stage from a photo, and Applefy shows the checklist for it. See the doses for each stage on the season advisories page.
Guidance only. Follow product labels and consult an agronomist for your orchard.
