Through the years fruit farmers have become used to seeing a couple fruit trees go in bloom in mid-autumn. But until now the blooming consisted only of a couple of flowers on each tree. This year farmers in the Vipava and Goriško regions are quite surprised – entire orchards are in bloom, especially cherries. Cherries in bloom have been sighted in the Goriška region - in the surroundings of Vogrsko - and in the upper Vipava region in Potoče and Dobravlje. Indeed, among the golden colours of autumn entire orchards have put on their white gowns...

Plants confused by the weather
In Dobravlje, near the old road between Ajdovščina and Selo, is one of the biggest cherry orchards which shines in whiteness. Every single tree has gone in bloom, some exuberantly, while other with only a couple of flowers. Fruit growers say the blooming in autumn is the result of the exceptional weather conditions – especially the summer drought and the extremely warm start of autumn. Due to the extreme weather conditions the trees are "confused" and that leads to physiological disorders.
Bees busy pollinating
Garlands of flowers have invited bees into the orchards. It is true though that the autumn pollination will have no effect. In the morning frost the flowers will freeze and fall off. Fruit growers fear the autumn blooming will do damage to the plants. The buds, which are supposed to sprout in spring, have clearly already completed their task in the autumn and might not do their job next spring. As a consequence fruit farmers predict the orchards will give less fruit next year. The best option would have been if nature did things in its good old, already tested and steady rhythm. An old Slovene saying about autumn weather says: "When trees are late to shed their leaves, a hard winter is approaching." This year instead of leaves with autumn colours we have trees with white flowers... What kind of winter can we look forward to?