Throughout Indiana orchards, Phytophthora root and crown rot continues to be a major cause of tree death (Fig. 1), and losses in small fruit, as well (Fig. 2). The disease is caused by the several members of the genus Phytophthora, and includes (but is by no means limited to) the following species): P. cactorum, P….Read more about Recent Rains Driving Phuture Phytophthora Problems[Read More]
Pome Fruits
Indiana Horticultural Society Field Day, July 27 2021 Hosted by: Wea Creek Orchard 5618 South 200 East Lafayette, IN 47909 The morning schedule is focused on soil health and is organized by the Pence Agronomy Group. The afternoon session concentrates on fruit (and pumpkins). Growers are welcome to attend all parts of the program of…Read more about Indiana Horticultural Society Field Day, July 27 2021[Read More]
Frogeye leaf spot, caused by the fungal pathogen, Botryosphaeria obtusa, has been quite prevalent this year, probably due to the combination of potential (and realized) crop loss and our cool, wet spring. This is the same fungus that causes cankers on the tree, along with black rot of apple fruit (Fig. 1). Frogeye leaf spot…Read more about Frogeye leaf spot[Read More]
For those of you still fortunately enough to have apples, disease management continues to a greater degree than those of us without a crop. Around now (the beginning of cover sprays), the most serious apple pathogens are generally less active, terminal buds have set, leaves have hardened off (and are now less susceptible) and weather…Read more about Fungicide Use Midseason and On[Read More]
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]
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]