Subject: Cider Digest #2069, 22 April 2017 Date: Sat, 22 Apr 2017 10:02:04 -0600 (MDT) From: cider-request@talisman.com Cider Digest #2069 22 April 2017 Cider and Perry Discussion Forum Contents: Bad Air? (Josh Kellermann) Nitrogen fertilization impacts on cider fruit quality and juice quality (R...) Bramtot (Eric Johnson) (no subject) (Phillip Kelm) A couple cider related notes from Maine (John Bunker) NOTE: Digest appears whenever there is enough material to send one. Send ONLY articles for the digest to cider@talisman.com. Use cider-request@talisman.com for subscribe/unsubscribe/admin requests. Archives of the Digest are available at www.talisman.com/cider#Archives Digest Janitor: Dick Dunn ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Subject: Bad Air? From: Josh Kellermann Date: Wed, 19 Apr 2017 12:18:09 -0400 Hi All, I'm wondering about how to keep air out of a cider when racking and bottling (or alternatively whether it's that big of a deal to let some air in). In prior years I've done single varieties in individual 5-gallon glass carboys. Once dry, I mix 'em up, typically racking 4 or 5 single varieties into glass carboys and let 'em sit a bit to see if any new fermentation kicks up. Then I bottle. This process means that there are 2 points where they are exposed to air after they are dry (at racking and then at bottling). When racking and bottling, I just pull off the air lock and put the siphon down into the cider. I've definitely had some problems over the years with film yeast. Also to consider: I am using wild apples, most quite acidic. I don't sulfite. No added yeast. No added sugar, so they're pretty low alcohol. Thanks! Josh in the Catskills. ------------------------------ Subject: Nitrogen fertilization impacts on cider fruit quality and juice quality From: Rebecca Thistlethwaite Date: Wed, 19 Apr 2017 09:22:15 -0700 I am doing some consulting for a new cider orchard, but my background is more in fresh-eating fruit orchards not cider orchards. My question is this: how does nitrogen fertilizer applications affect fruit quality and ultimately cider quality? The soil test came back as very low in nitrogen, so we are considering using calcium nitrate and fish hydrolysate as the nitrogen sources. We will also be planting a mixed grass/clover mix in the alleyways, which may supply a bit of nitrogen to some of the feeder roots. What kinds of nitrogen fertilization are cider orchards using? How frequently, total poundage per year? Any affects on cider juice quality that you know of? thank you for your insight, - -Rebecca Thistlethwaite Mosier, Oregon rebeccathistlethwaite@gmail.com ------------------------------ Subject: Bramtot From: Eric Johnson Date: Wed, 19 Apr 2017 13:42:52 -0600 Has anyone in the interior Western US had success with Bramtot? I grafted one a couple of years ago and it is taking *forever* to leaf out as compared to all others. It is definitely alive, so I assume this lateness is indicative of late blooming, a desirable trait. But, I'd be interested to know if anyone has grown and lost it, due to severe weather, fireblight, etc. Thanks! Eric Johnson Widespread Malus Boulder, CO ------------------------------ Subject: (none given) From: Phillip Kelm Date: Wed, 19 Apr 2017 04:54:20 +0000 (UTC) In response to Claude's three choices to stabilize a cider, I'll offer two more. One facility I work with uses a combination of KMBS and potassium sorbate before back-sweetening to suppress fermentation. Not everybody's cup of tea, but it is effective. Doses are very small and might not be for the home producer. Normally see our warm-stored product slip slightly after 6-9 months. Pasteurizing might also work on small scale. If you heat and cool quickly and effectively there is very little taste difference if any. Best of luck! Phillip KelmGitche Gumee Ciderworks ------------------------------ Subject: A couple cider related notes from Maine From: John Bunker Date: Wed, 19 Apr 2017 14:36:32 -0400 Perry pears: If you are looking for good deals on perry pear trees, Fedco still has a good supply. Five varieties. If interested in 50 or more, please contact me. We will ship. Maine Apple Camp: I hope you will consider coming to Maine Apple Camp, August 18-20. Below is a link to find out more. Cider making will be a featured part of the program. http://www.mofga.org/Events/MaineAppleCamp/tabid/3325/Default.aspx John Bunker Fedco john.p.bunker@gmail.com ------------------------------ End of Cider Digest #2069 *************************