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<pre>> Mike,
>
> The grove you describe could have a severe pollination problem. It
tends
> to show up in adverse years. That is why Italian growers like to have a
> considerable pollination margin.
>
> For the Frantoio a good pollinator is Marino - another one of the
> classic varieties of central Italy.
>
> There has been considerable research in Italy and it supports the
> traditional method of "free" crossing rather than a single pollinator. A
> short summary is in our book on page 40.

Page 39 gave me the answer! Frantoio & Leccino were already on the short
list, and now Moraiolo & Maurino can join them. I'm also looking seriously
at Coratina (sp) and now, thanks to Hartley Lewis on another posting,
Signore.

Any comments?

>
> The most serious problem is the way your blocks are far apart and
> separated by a patch of shrub. In Italy the recommendation is that
> pollinators/mixed planting should be no more than 20 or 30 metres apart.

Whenever I get a fatality, I'll replant something else. Fatalities are not
all that uncommon, and usually kangaroo related.

>
> In Italy it is part of the traditional flavour of the olive oil to
have
> a mixed planting but if you find that too difficult to cope with and want
to
> follow a varietal system like the wine industry I would suggest that you
> have rows of other varieties so they can be easily identified and picked
> separately.
>

The new grove will have the benefit of a lot of other peoples mistakes, and
a lot of helpful advise. Thanks to all, yet again.

Regards,

Mike Wilson.
</pre>
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