The big story this week was the much-needed rain throughout most of Indiana that fell on Monday (August 19th). Since August 15th, this brought up to 5” of precipitation throughout west-central, southwest, and northwest Indiana. This was 2”-4” above normal for the past 2 weeks! However, as we transition into September and hope temperatures stay[Read More…]
September 5, 2019 Hydroponics & Greenhouse workshop Purdue University, Deans auditorium, HLA greenhouse Contact Lori Jolly-Brown, ljollybr@purdue.edu Participants will learn about optimal conditions for growing hydroponic lettuce, including nutrient recipes, production systems, artificial lighting practices and optimal temperatures for lettuce. Workshop attendees will also have the opportunity to tour the department’s greenhouse and hydroponic facilities[Read More…]
Grapes harvest has started in the Lafayette area. A bit of both powdery and downy mildew are present on leaves, but overall fruit quality looks great. Recent rains did not cause fruit cracking so fruit rots are minimal. Early apples are over and mid-season varieties are getting close. Fall bearing (primocane fruiting) red raspberries and[Read More…]
Earlier this month Dr. Stephen Meyers joined the faculty in the Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture as an Assistant Professor. His research and extension efforts will focus on weed management in specialty crops. Before returning to Purdue he served as an Associate Extension/Research Professor and Sweet potato Extension Specialist with Mississippi State University where[Read More…]
Recently we have received reports of swarms of hover flies (aka syrphid flies) around Indiana and wanted to take the opportunity to tell you a bit about this curious insect (Figure 1). Adult hover flies can sometimes be mistaken for bees or wasps, because they look a lot like them! Some people refer to hover[Read More…]
Please welcome Dr. Laura Ingwell as she continues her experience in the Department of Entomology as an Assistant Professor in Horticulture Entomology. Laura received her Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in 2006. She received her Masters of Science in Ecology from the University of Rhode Island in 2009 and her[Read More…]
The symptoms of sooty blotch and flyspeck (SBFS) have begun to make their appearance. I know this because 1). I’m starting to see spots (Fig 1, 2 & 3). We have accumulated MORE THAN enough hours of post- petal fall leaf wetness needed for infection to occur, despite the sudden drought conditions. First, what is[Read More…]
Even the climate models are confused by this year’s weather. When the August monthly outlook was released (July 31st; national Climate Prediction Center) it showed significant confidence that August would have below-normal temperatures and below-normal precipitation. However, the shorter-range outlooks (that update daily) the last few days, seem to contradict that prediction. Whether it is[Read More…]
Early grapes are being harvested in the southern part of the state. Peach harvest continues in the south as well. Summer bearing blackberry harvest has slowed and primocane fruiting varieties are just getting started in the Lafayette area. Early apples are nearing harvest in the Lafayette area. Dry conditions continue and milder temperatures are excellent[Read More…]
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