chill hours (forum)

nick starts with ...
i would like to calculate chill hours for my area being coastal,no frosts monthly average min temp is 8.7c in july i have used the formula posted in this forumn which is -60xcoldest month average +1400 i get 878 hrs which seems ecsessive has anyone got any info on the subject cheers

Time: 9th January 2011 2:12pm

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BJ says...
Hi Nick,
You want the average max temp in the coldest month; not the min temp.
It is only an approximate formula.
If you're in Sydney I'd estimate that you'd have approximately 380 chill hours. If you've by the coast you probably have less.

Time: 9th January 2011 2:32pm

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kert says...
All the formulas only approximate real- life tree physiology. If you wish to know the chill hours walk around the streets and see what is there and work backwards ie if there are cherries ,say , then there is a minimum of 800 to 900 hours chill and so on.

Time: 9th January 2011 4:14pm

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nick says...
i live in a small semi isolated suburb in a national park there are very few gardens that are in direct view what i do see generally i already have planted the fruits that i want to add to my garden have chill hours required some low chill some mediumn chill if i can aproximately match requirements i have a good rate of sucsess and dont waste to much time and money,more hit than miss if you know what i mean, question still remains most fruiting plants have chilling hours required information available but i like to know how these were calculated even if aproximate thanks

Time: 9th January 2011 6:22pm

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BJ says...
Nick,
Kert is right - chill hour formula are very approximate. The more complex the formula the more accurate ... but even so much about the tree and how and where it is planted can impact.
I'm guessing that you'd want low chill rather than medium chill, but I think Kert's recommendation of pounding the pavement and checking out other people's yards is probably best - if you can see other trees they will provide some guidance of chill hours (even the non-fruiting trees or native plants that require a certain period of winter to encourage flowering cycles.)
Also, why not look at the "My edibles" pages of people that are close to where you are and find out what success they are having with the plants you are interested in.

Time: 9th January 2011 8:21pm

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nick says...
thanks guys low chill might be the way to go

Time: 9th January 2011 9:05pm

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chris says...
You'll find that chill hours is still not fully understood. Your micro climate also is a factor.
Have a read of these two links. I found them helpful.
http://www.land.vic.gov.au/DPI/nreninf.nsf/v/4767527BB92E1F47CA25749600816439/$file/Chill_Units_of_Stone_Fruit.pdf
http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/archive/agriculture-today-stories/august-2006/chilly-start-good-for-stonefruit


Time: 10th January 2011 12:58am

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rohanna says...
Does anyone know what the chill hours are for the sunshine coast?

Time: 12th July 2011 7:03pm

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BJ says...
Hi Rohanna,

There are loads of ways to estimate chill hours. The formula above is very rough but will help indicate if you're in a low, medium or high chill area. I'd suggest the sunshine coast doesn't get many chill hours (maybe 100-150?). Remember, microclimate can have a big impact too.

Kert is totally correct... nothing beats wanding around your suburb and observing what grows, talking to a reputable nursery, or checking out "my edibles" pages of locals and finding out what people have success with...

Time: 12th July 2011 9:35pm

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BJ says...
Sunshine Coast chill hours vary depending on if your down near the beach, or back a bit into the hinterland or somewhere like Nambour. Regardless, it'd all be low chill. If you are after stonefruit or the like, try calling Birdwood Nursery, as they stock most nurseries, are based on the coast and could recommend something that performs best locally...

Time: 13th July 2011 8:58am

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