The periodical cicada (Figure 1) emergence is expected to begin shortly. Female cicadas lay eggs in 200+ woody tree species (Figure 2), and they have a strong preference for grapevines, apples, cherries, peaches, & plums. Egg laying can weaken and damage branches, causing them to turn brown, die, and break off. The loss of branches…Read more about Protect your grapevines from cicadas[Read More]
Apples
Snow and cold overnight lows blanketed the state on Tuesday and Wednesday nights last week (April 20-21). Many parts of the state received temperatures of 26-29 F, which caused some damage to open flowers. More northern areas of the state were not very far along in terms of crop development (early pink in apples, early…Read more about April freeze[Read More]
Freeze: There really isn’t much that can be added to the wonderful and unfortunately timely article about Frost. Critical Temperatures and Frost Protection by Rob Crassweller at https://extension.psu.edu/frost-critical-temperatures-and-frost-protection With a frost to freeze expected to cover most of the state on April 21 and 22, there will certainly be crop damage and loss (Fig. 1)….Read more about Freeze[Read More]
Spring temperatures and the season so far It seems like it’s been warm and that we’re way ahead of normal. But the data paint a slightly different picture. First, let’s not talk too much about “normal”. In the last 10 years or so that I’ve been plotting these data, EVERY year has been warmer than…Read more about Crop Conditions[Read More]
Warm temperatures over the last week or so have accelerated growth rapidly. In Lafayette, apples are nearing green tip, and strawberries at full bloom. Blackberries are pushing half-inch green. Further south in the state, temperatures are in the mid 70’s, apricots are in full bloom and peaches not quite at pink (thanks to Applacres for…Read more about Crop Conditions[Read More]
Due to the COVID crisis, most Purdue Extension meetings will be held virtually. Most Purdue Extension staff are working from home and are available to answer your questions by email, phone or through social media. Our contact information is at the end of the newsletter. September 10-12, 2020 Purdue Extension Master Gardener State Conference Sponsored…Read more about Extension Events[Read More]
Grape harvest continues. Recent rainy weather is making late season fruit rots more problematic on susceptible varieties. Apples are sizing up nicely and mid-season varieties are beginning to ripen. Primocane black and red raspberries are beginning to ripen. Black Magic primocane blackberry harvest is winding down and APF45 harvest is just starting. Pawpaw fruit are…Read more about Crop Conditions[Read More]
Modern clonal rootstocks are the foundation-and literal roots– to modern apple growing. These rootstocks ensure growers have orchards of relatively small trees that can be densely planted and result in earlier and greater bearing than what was historically possible. This is an obvious improvement over waiting multiple decades for an orchard to become profitable. However,…Read more about Rootstock problems are neither new nor unique…” Cummings and Norton, 1974[Read More]
Grapes are being harvested across the state. Yields are pretty low for the early varieties that were hurt worst by the spring freezes. In Lafayette all our varieties are at veraison and harvest is nearing. Apples are sizing nicely where there is fruit. Some of Jules Janick’s selections have full crops, but many varieties have…Read more about Crop Conditions[Read More]