There has been some talk about the use of promalin to help overcome the damaging effects of freezing temperatures. Only a small amount of research has been conducted on this. Dr Steve McArtney showed that promalin applied after damaging freeze events could increase parthenocarpic (seedless) fruit development. Keep in mind this was only shown to[Read More…]
Peter M Hirst
Facts for Fancy Fruit Editor & Professor of Horticulture
Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture
Area(s) of Interest: Commercial Tree Fruit Production
Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture
Area(s) of Interest: Commercial Tree Fruit Production
What is the best way to assess bud damage from cold temperatures? Drs. Tara Baugher and Jim Schupp at Penn. State University have put together a nice page with some excellent photos explaining how to assess fruit bud survival: http://extension.psu.edu/plants/tree-fruit/news/2016/assessing-fruit-bud-survival-and-crop-potential I would add that unless you find that more than 90% of your buds have[Read More…]
Frost and freeze damage was minor in small fruits and grapes. Below is a review of general guidelines for when we expect damage to buds, flowers and fruit. Developmental stage 10% kill (°F) 90% kill (°F) Apples Silver tip 15 2 Green tip 18 10 Half-inch green 23 15 Tight cluster 27 21 Pink 28[Read More…]
Peaches are in bloom in southern areas of the state but just showing a little green in more northern areas. Apples range from green tip in the north to tight cluster in southern areas of the state. Another Early Spring Spring is off to an early start around the state again. For many growers this[Read More…]
Purdue Wine Grape Team’s 2016 Spring Workshop May 4, 2016 9:00am Holtkamp Winery, 10868 Woliung Rd, New Alsace, 47041, Rettig Hill Winery & Vineyard, 2679 E State Road 350 Osgood, IN 47037 Due to limited class size, advance registration and fees are required. Registration fee $50 per person and includes lunch. Make checks payable to:[Read More…]
It was good to see so many growers at the recent Hort. Congress. Over 700 growers attended the Congress and the trade show was again sold out. Our usual program topics were held covering agritourism, farm marketing, fresh vegetables, fruit, organics, processing vegetables, and winegrapes. We are in the process of finalizing the dates and[Read More…]