Preharvest drop refers to the process where fruit fall from the tree prior to harvest. Not all apple varieties are affected, but with some, such as McIntosh and Pristine, pre-harvest drop can be extreme. Several growth regulator materials are available to growers to help reduce pre-harvest drop. These materials are often referred to as “stop-drop”…Read more about Control Of Preharvest Drop with NAA[Read More]
Crop Management
Making the decision on when to harvest can be a very tricky and complicated issue. The longer you intend to store the fruit, the more precise your timing needs to be. For summer apples, most growers only intend to store fruit until their better quality fall apples come on stream, so storage times beyond a…Read more about Determining Apple Maturity[Read More]
Approximately 80 fruit and vegetable growers attended the Society’s summer field day last week hosted by Tuttle Orchards in Greenfield. Thanks go to Ruth-Ann, Thomas, Mike and Helen and all the Roney family and crew who made this event such a success. Those attending also had the opportunity to pause for a moment to remember…Read more about Indiana Hort Society Summer Field Day[Read More]
Veraison, the start of the fruit ripening process, signals the final opportunity for effective canopy management and fruit thinning in grapes. Once veraison has started, thinning and canopy management are far less effective in improving overall fruit quality. Growers should assess the need for fruit thinning by evaluating cluster number and size relative to shoot…Read more about Pre-veraison Canopy Management and Fruit Thinning in Grapes[Read More]
Summer bearing brambles are showing the full extent of the freeze and frost damage from earlier this year. Many floricanes are failing to produce a decent crop. Primocanes are growing well and are initiating flowers now. Early types are beginning to bloom. Grape are at bunch closure with veraison not far away for early varieties….Read more about Crop Conditions[Read More]
Since 2012, apple powdery mildew(PM) has been part of new normal of apple growing in Indiana. As many of you remember (but would like to forget), 2012 was the year when much of the state lost the crop due to a late season freeze. This was then followed by one of the driest years on…Read more about Powdery Mildew[Read More]
First, my apologies for sending this out late. This was a relatively early year for strawberries and by now, most harvest is over. As soon as harvest is done, it’s time to begin the renovation process. Matted row strawberry plantings must be renovated each year to establish new crowns for the following year’s crop. For…Read more about Strawberry Renovation[Read More]
It may seem like the worst is over, but apple growers should continue to be vigilant and apply fungicides even as we approach the end of the ascospore discharge period. Leaves are still highly susceptible to both primary and secondary apple scab infection until the terminal bud has set and the leaves have hardened off….Read more about Attention Apple Growers[Read More]
In Lafayette, fruit crops are progressing normally. Strawberry harvest is winding down and quite of bit of leaf spot is showing up. We have our first ripe fruit on summer red raspberries. All brambles are showing signs of freeze damage from the mid-March event. Weak and collapsing fruiting laterals are common. Grapes are from late…Read more about Crop Conditions[Read More]