Types of devices and equipment for harvesting apricots from tall trees

Harvesting is a pleasant experience. However, ripe fruits high up on the tree can be inconvenient and sometimes even dangerous, especially when picking apricots. Ripe fruits are tender and juicy, so it's important to avoid damaging the skin during harvesting. To make this process easier, you can use available tools. Many devices have been developed for picking ripe apricots from high trees.

This article describes such devices, both industrial and self-made.

Basic rules of collection

Apricots are harvested only when the fruit turns yellow-orange or straw-yellow. Dry weather is recommended for harvesting. Fruits must be picked by hand very carefully, being careful not to damage them. Shaking them off the trees is not permitted. This method is only suitable for fruit intended for processing.

When to harvest apricots

Apricots are cultivated in warm regions: Central Asia, Crimea, the Krasnodar Territory, and the Caucasus. The fruits ripen early there, reaching maturity in about 40 days. Apricots are considered ripe when the skin color is characteristic of the variety, and the flesh is firm, juicy, and delicious. Ripe fruits contain the maximum amount of nutrients and vitamins.

Overripe fruits are sent for processing.

Early

Table apricots are considered early and ripen quickly. Their ripening period begins in late June and continues until the third ten days of July.

Important! Early varieties are juicy and soft; they are not suitable for storage and are eaten fresh.

Average

There are also early-mid-season apricot varieties, which ripen in the second half of June. Mid-season varieties ripen from mid-June until approximately July 20-25.

Late

The ripening period for late varieties of this fruit tree begins at the end of July and lasts until the beginning of September.

Collection methods

Gardeners use a variety of methods when harvesting apricots. Fruits from low trees can be picked by hand. However, apricot trees typically grow very quickly, and after a few years, hand-picking becomes problematic. Instead, technical methods are used, using either commercially available equipment or homemade ones.

It is necessary to learn how to use such devices correctly so as not to damage the fruit.

Manual assembly

When harvesting an apricot tree, keep in mind that the skin is very delicate. If the gardener uses a tool, be careful not to crush or damage the ripe fruit. Fruit damaged by mechanical damage does not last long.

Technical assembly

Technical assembly facilitates and speeds up the process of fruit collection.

In this case, they work using various tools:

1. The "Grab" device. Each apricot is grabbed and removed individually, a time-consuming and labor-intensive process.
2. A scoop net is a homemade long pole with a bag and a stick. The stick is used to strike branches, and the bag is used to catch falling fruit. This method is only suitable for ripe fruit that falls easily after being struck with the stick. The key is to catch the fruit in the bag.

Natural way

The natural method involves harvesting fruits that naturally fall to the ground. However, they can be damaged by impact. If you gently shake the tree, ripe fruits will fall to the ground on their own. This method is not suitable for varieties with soft flesh and skin.

Strong winds can cause apricots to fall in large numbers, which are then harvested. Any bruised or damaged fruits are processed and eaten immediately fresh.

DIY Apricot Picking Tools

There are many homemade fruit pickers for tall trees; long cuttings and plastic bottles have come to the rescue of gardeners. These devices can be used to collect ripe apricots.

Tulip

You can make your own "Tulip" apricot picker at home. The "Tulip" fruit picker is used to harvest fruit from hard-to-reach places and tall trees. It's a simple and convenient design.

A device shaped like an opening tulip flower is made from thick plastic or polypropylene. The resulting device resembles a tall glass with slits in the top.

The fruit picker is positioned so that the fruit is in the cup and the stem is in the slot between the "petals" of the device. The handle is then rotated around its axis, and the fruit, thus removed, is carefully placed into the basket.

Fruit picker LUXE

It consists of a ring with sharpened metal petals and a durable, washable bag. This fruit picker design allows you to harvest fruit even from tall trees. The fruit and tree branches are not damaged during harvesting, as the stems are easily cut by the sharp edges of the petals.

Fruit picker with pruning shears

The simple design of the fruit picker allows for quick harvesting. It consists of a funnel, a container for storing apricots, and a reinforced pruning shear. During harvesting, the funnel is positioned under the fruit, the pruning shears cut the stem, and the fruit rolls undamaged into a specially prepared net or bag.

Important! Harvest in the morning after the dew has cleared, before 11 a.m., and also recommended after 5 p.m.