Does anyone know what causes joined up fruit?

[Guest]

Just curious what causes joined up fruit. I remember VC entered some plums in the vine show. At the weekend I removed a fair few off my peaches yet the nectarines seemed fine.

I have a pic but I have currently misplaced my camera

Thanks as always

[veggiechicken]

I remember those! The Not Ted & Spud's plums

http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...ml#post1367800

[Guest]

I guess no one knows what causes this, but thought I would bump just incase and I also have a pic now.

[veggiechicken]

botany - How did these apples grow together? - Biology Stack Exchange

[Alison]

At the weekend I removed a fair few off my peaches yet the nectarines seemed fine.

Out of curiosity why did you remove them?

[Scarlet]

I often thin out my plum trees (no need this year, pigeons have eaten all the blossom) ive read (don't know where, when) that most stone fruit will benefit from thinning if over crowded. If fruits are touching they often rot, younger branches can be damaged with the weight of the fruit later on and it also helps stops the pattern of alternating good, year bad year. I would definately remove fused fruit of a fruit tree, even fused tomatoes (IMO) are often tasteless compared to "normal" fruit.
Ive never had enough fruit on my nectarine to do this. Cherry plums, I don't bother and I haven't got a peach tree.

[Scarlet]

This link might answer your question NG
http://www.clemson.edu/extension/pea...he_summer.html

"High temperatures during floral initiation can cause the production of double or triple (twin or triple,) fruits"

[Guest]

Out of curiosity why did you remove them?

I thinned them as a lot of fruit had set. I will thin them again at a later date

[Alison]

I thinned them as a lot of fruit had set. I will thin them again at a later date

Ah, I misunderstood, I thought you meant that you were just removing the fused ones rather than a general thinning.

[Guest]

This link might answer your question NG
What problems can result for peach trees during extended periods of very hot, sunny days during the summer? : Extension : Clemson University : South Carolina

"High temperatures during floral initiation can cause the production of double or triple (twin or triple,) fruits"

Thank you. That makes a lot of sense as they were in GH2 which suffers with a wide temp. range and can get stupidly hot. Just hope I remember for next year.