Now is the time to start thinking about leaf removal in grapevines. Cluster zone leaf removal can lower risk of disease, increase spray penetration and even improve fruit quality. The period immediately after bloom to 3 weeks post-bloom is the most effective time for leaf removal. Leaf pulling after this time can increase the risk[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…]
The news of the disastrous drought and extreme heat in the western United States (US) have local folks wondering if Indiana might be next. The latest release of the US Drought Monitor map (Figure 1) shows the exceptional drought in the western states as well as the expansion of extreme and exceptional drought in the[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…]
The month of May in Indiana was 2°F-4°F below normal across the state, based upon the new 1991-2020 climatological normals that were released last month. Climatological normals are roughly the 30-year average of weather variables and are updated every 10 years. Prior to the new normals being released, climatologists were using the 1981-2010 period for[Read More…]
I am a bit late on the topic of bees for fruit pollination, especially tree fruit, but I wonder how many readers use or maintain spring mason bees for pollination of tree fruits? If not for pollination, then perhaps just for fun? (Figure 1). If not, you might consider this for next season! Those who[Read More…]
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