THE apple season appears to have fared well amid recent wet weather, according to two local growers, but chestnuts may suffer if the rain continues.
Wandiligong orchardist Don Nightingale, of Nightingale Bros fruit producers, said they were concerned the wet spring would hamper pollination – leading to less fruit setting – but they currently have a good apple crop.
However, he said the wet weather has made orchard work more challenging.
"It's been a difficult time for fungus problems which has resulted in extra spraying of fungicides," he said.
"We have got some wet areas where trees will die."
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"The wet weather has caused excessive tree growth which will involve more summer pruning."
He is also concerned about their chestnut trees, which crop better in dry conditions when they flower, usually in November or December.
According to Mr Nightingale, if wet weather continues they are likely to see more chestnut rot, a difficult–to–detect fungal disease that infects the nuts.
He also said they have lost some young chestnut trees to waterlogged soil.
"Chestnut trees don't like wet feet," he said.
Stanley orchardist Henry Hilton was less certain of the size of his apple crop due to the local climate delaying the season, compared to slightly warmer conditions in the Ovens Valley.
"It's been a very difficult flowering period due to the wet and the cold periods, but we look to have a pretty reasonable initial set," he said.
According to Mr Hilton, they are currently thinning the young fruits to ensure well–sized apples and have used more fungicides to manage the increased disease risk.
Regarding his chestnut crop, he said it's too early to say.
"One would think that it's going to be a tricky year with the wet conditions," he said.
He also said floods and damaged roads across North East Victoria was cutting sales at his orchard shop.
"Not dramatically, but I reckon it has impacted sales somewhat," he said.
