greenhouses I shade net I hydroponics I aquaponics
The K20 white shade net above the apple trees is visible in this picture. Image supplied by Knittex.
The Western Cape’s most well-known apple producing district is Grabouw. Some refer to the district around Grabouw as Elgin, but in fact, Elgin is the name of a former train station adjacent to the town. However, this remarkable district is almost worldwide known for its quality apples it exports from the farms spread around Grabouw.
Western Cape’s Apple Production under Shade Net
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or many years apples were produced here for export purposes and also later, for the Appletiser factory close to town. Global warming and its evident change in weather patterns brought about variable conditions and even harshness of the sun’s UV rays. Therefore, during the past decade or so and after thorough research and trials with different density, colours and hues of shade net, apple producers started to turn to shade net structures over their orchards, or at least, over certain varieties. During an interview with Brandon Myburgh, general manager at Drumearn
(Pty) Ltd farms, the positive effects of shade net structures over apple varieties became evident. Needless to say, proper farm management and good planning have much to do with success and progress. In this aspect, Brandon climbed the ranks in the apple industry from a young age. He began in 1992 at Two a Day (Pty) Ltd in their apple receiving bay but soon was recognised for his technical strengths, and received experience in fruit size measurements, storage trials and preharvest maturity sampling. He was then spotted by a Grabouw apple producer and picked up experience on the wider management of an apple production unit. Going from strength to strength, Brandon later worked for a number of years at Lourensford Estates at Somerset West, but having family and friends in his hometown, eventually landed him a position at Drumearn company farms,
Knittex Shade net over apple trees. Image supplied by Knittex.
4 Undercover farming I May/June 2021 I Volume 18 No 3
Grabouw. He was soon advanced to be general manager, the position he still holds. According to Brandon, the company has three farming Brandon Myburgh, units; two which general manager at Drumearn (Pty) Ltd are in Grabouw apple farms. area and one in Villiersdorp. The apple varieties grown are; Golden Delicious, Granny Smith, Braeburn, Royal Gala, Fuji, Pink Lady, Kanzi and Sundowner. “To remain competitive, the producer constantly needs to adapt according to consumer demand. As new varieties and rootstocks become available and show good prospects, we gear our production sites up early in order to keep our markets satisfied,” he said.
Where apples grow best The ideal soil in which apple trees would flourish, should consist of the following; well-drained soil to a depth of more than 80cm and a clay content of less than 25 – 30%. In shallow soils of less than 40cm you need to make ridges in order to achieve at least 60cm. Generally, the apple producing areas in the world are located between 40° north and 50° south from the Equator. This results in favourable conditions with sufficient chilling units in the winter without constant below-freezing temperatures. The summers in these regions are also mild; therefore never above 30°C. Since apple production farms in South Africa are situated around 34° south of the Equator, they are in a marginal area. Therefore, at
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