Spring Pruning

Growers across the state are finishing up pruning. Most apple and blueberry growers are done, and bramble and grape growers are finishing up.  Even though this is a late spring compared to some recent years, there are still chances of spring frost damage. Grape growers can use long or double pruning to help delay bud break and avoid frost damage. Peach growers also delay pruning as much as possible to help delay bloom. But for other fruit crops, little can be done to passively avoid frost. Hopefully we will have a good year and no spring frost damage will occur.

Grape growers with a high incidence of trunk disease may want to consider applications of Topsin M after pruning is complete, or anytime that pruning is done in wet weather. The jury is still out of the efficacy of these applications, but they can’t hurt. We are seeing increased incidences of trunk diseases in the Midwest and plan to conduct a survey this summer to determine the extent of the problem. If you have vines you would like sampled, please contact Bruce Bordelon for assistance.