Temperatures below -15°F generally kill powdery mildew infected buds. For those of you who had a milder winter, protecting susceptible varieties like Jonathan, Ida Red, Enterprise, Staymen, Granny Smith, and Ginger Gold, be sure to protect at tight cluster, pink, bloom, petal fall and first cover. Remember that fungicide protection is needed until terminal buds are set. As long as resistance isn’t an issue, Rally, Procure and Indar, are the most effective DMI fungicides; Merivon, Pristine, and Luna Sensation (7+11 fungicides) or Flint Extra, Flint, or Sovran (11).