ThermoMax – frost protection

from The Orchardist I July 2022

Biolchim – Protamin strikes a note with both conventional and organic growers

WITH THERMOMAX ThermoMax – frost protection UNSPRAYED

Frost. If ever a word was guaranteed to cause anxiety and stress to commercial orchardists and home gardeners, that word is frost.

The level of danger posed to orchardists from frost is best illustrated by the lengths growers go to and the costs they face attempting to neutralise or lessen its effects. From

were hiring helicopters through to setting up giant fans and taken in May 2005 in a Bay of Plenty Avocado irrigation systems, there is an array of anti-frost measures available. Most are expensive and their benefits vary. FROST DAMAGE REDUCTION ees were virtually side by side and similar results ghout the 150 tree orchard in comparisons Among the products available in the anti-frost battle is ThermoMax, and it has been doing a very good job for ax protected and unprotected Avocado trees. ures dropped as low as -3° . of commercial growers for the past 20 seasons. ThermoMax underwent independent testing and evaluation by HortResearch in 2002 (for full results see www.bdmax. Grower comments include: ThermoMax on Avocados 18.4 co.nz), and has been shown in the field to provide up to 99 percent protection from frosts down to –2C when “No frost damage 18.9 applied as directed. In colder temperatures down to –4C, ThermoMax has also shown greater levels of protection than would otherwise have been obtained. In these very low temperatures frost control is more effective when ThermoMax is used as part of a combined anti-frost product attack. It adds an extra two degrees of control to all other methods, and combines with all other products except urea. Being a liquid, application is easy. Just add it to your spraying round. -2°c when applied as directed eopathic SPRAYED WITH THERMOMAX UNSPRAYED down to -2°C” “stopped frost forming, nil damage” “No damage in temps down to -1.5°C, however, neighbours orchard frosted when sprinkler froze” “evaded frost damage in temps as low as -2°C” “more compact flowering” “able to harvest earlier” 16.8 14.0 14.915.5 14.3 Sprayed 2/8/05 14 July 02 1 July 05 28 July 05 4 August 05 oss whole orchard Sprayed Unsprayed on apples -4°C frost. .bdmax.co.nz)

ThermoMax Trials (Oct 2003)

HortResearch trials have shown ThermoMax increased The photos above were taken in May 2005 in a Bay of Plenty Avocado fruit set on apples by 50% at -2°C and 33% at -4°C frost. orchard. These trees were virtually side by side were obtained throughout the 150 tree orchard(See trial report on www.bdmax.co.nz) and similar results in comparisons between ThermoMax protected and unprotected Avocado trees. Recorded temperatures dropped as lowThe effect of ThermoMax as -3° . on Avocados The effect of ThermoInternal Temperature Trial Max on Avocados

s r e eratu p T em nal r nte I

20.0 18.0 16.0 14.0 12.0 10.0 18.4 18.9

Sprayed 10/7/05 15.8 15.5

14.3 14.9

14.0

Sprayed 2/8/05 16.8

14 July 02 1 July 05 28 July 05 4 August 05 From modest beginnings in 2002, ThermoMax is now being used in a large number of orchards and gardens throughout the country. Avocado, kiwifruit, blueberry and tamarillo growers, and even the bromeliad folk, are the main users. However, it is effective with most crops. Citrus, grapes, pipfruit and stonefruit all benefit. In addition to being relatively inexpensive when compared with other anti-frost measures, costing on average $240 / ha for nine weeks’ protection, ThermoMax also provides secondary benefits, such as more compact flowering and a shortened growing season. This provides better spring starts, achieved by the internal warming it creates within the plant. Oh did we mention all the extra worry-free nights of sleep? ThermoMax is a non-chemical, BioGro certified product, exempt under the Agricultural Compounds & Veterinary Medicines (ACVM) Act. It leaves no residues, and has no withholding periods. ThermoMax is diluted with water, applied with a normal agricultural sprayer, and is totally environmentally friendly. It is on the Zespri approved products list, and is part of the Agrecovery programme.

ThermoMax is available online, and also through Farmlands and Horticentre throughout the Bay of Plenty, Waikato, Auckland and Gisborne regions. There are two short videos providing answers to frequently asked questions available on the website www.bdmax.co.nz. Or call directly on 0800 735 859 or email bdmax@xtra.co.nz.