Have you ever heard of HrMn 99 ? (in India below 3000 feet)
While I was looking up about another (forum) post of a India Apple grower I saw it
I saw this, but the Himalayan Mountains slipped my mind
so His apples were in the mountains this is not.
(a sample but I am not copy /pasting the whole thing
sorry the adds are in the way so I cannot)
(edit I know your altitude is still low )
Do the tree leaves stay on all year ?
Do the people that grow apples remove these every year to try to force dormancy?
I have read people that grow grapes in the tropics ON Large scale
use Urea (urine) to defoliate grapes to bring the grapes to a rest for the next crop.
anyone tried ? (if leaves stay evergreen . all winter or do they do not?
https://www.thebetterindia.com/235926/farmer-innovation-earns-new-apple-grow-south-india-breed-graft-variety-grow-anywhere-ros174/Himachal Pradesh: A 65 YO farmer from Bilaspur has created an apple variety that can grow anywhere, even in tropical weather.
In what is seen as a groundbreaking development, farmers across many states in India are successfully growing a cultivar of apples called HRMN 99. The variety, which can be grown in low altitudes (1,800 feet above sea level), has been developed by Hariman Sharma, a 65-year-old farmer from Bilaspur, Himachal Pradesh. Apple are usually cultivated at a minimum of 5,000 feet above sea level.
“After working as a labourer in other farms for many years. In 1998, I started nurturing mango orchards and began vegetable cultivation. In 1999, I purchased apple seeds from another farmer in the district and planted them. I did not have any hopes that it would grow, but I observed a small apple seedling that had sprouted. I nurtured that seedling with the little knowledge I gained from my farming experience, and let it grow,” says Hariman.
In two years, the tree started fruiting, but the fruits were small in size. To improve the quality of the apple, he grafted a stem from the apple tree with a plum tree.
“Owing to the non-availability of apple trees, I grafted it on a plum tree. It was successful, and the fruit quality was much better. They were the size of regular apples, and in an earth-shade colour with red tinges on the side. Soon, I grafted some more trees, and created a mini orchard with 8 trees. Till date, these trees continue to bear fruits, and provide a yield of 1 quintal every season which is usually in June. ” he says.
Also I know some places spray Urine (or Urea) in strong doses
to de foliate leaves to bring the apples tree’s to being dormant
not really gross as Cow urine (and milk) has been used to control pests disease on leaves for a long time
besides it’d be after the plant fruited…