The level of fruit drop is almost complete across the state and in some cases we likely have some hand thinning ahead of us. Fruit is generally 20 mm or above which means it’s too late for most chemical thinners. If spurs in your trees look like those in the apple photo in Crop Conditions,[Read More…]
Grapes in the southern half of the state will soon be reaching the critical pre-bloom stage, which is a key time to control important diseases such as black rot, downy mildew, and powdery mildew. The three or four sprays made from immediate pre-bloom to 4 weeks post bloom are critical for controlling fruit infections. Growers[Read More…]
Tipping of primocanes (new vegetative canes from the ground) is an important management practice for summer bearing blackberries and black raspberries. Tipping the new primocanes causes lateral branching and most of the fruit production next year will be from buds on those lateral branches rather than buds off the main cane. Tipping also helps increase[Read More…]
Wet weather continues to be a problem, not just for foliar disease, but root and crown rot, as well. Phytophthora root and crown rot is observed in wet spots: low-lying areas of orchards with heavy, poorly-drained soils. These pathogens can infect all fruit producing plants. Occurrence of this disease is sporadic and tied to wet[Read More…]
Diagnosing Phytophthora crown rot is difficult. First examine the crown and rule out any type of mechanical damage, including rodent damage. Early symptoms of root and crown rot include delayed bud break, small leaves (often with leaf discoloration), and twig dieback. Bark discoloration, unthrifty growth, and premature leaf drop may occur later in the season[Read More…]
Although not always possible, avoid planting in low-lying, flood prone areas. Control weeds around the trunk of apple trees, as many serve as alternate hosts for the crown rot fungus(especially nightshades). Reduce nitrogen application on young trees, and trees with excessive growth as they are more susceptible to crown rot. As there are different species[Read More…]
Growers across the state experienced some damage from frost and freeze events on May 7, 8, and 9. Damage is scattered across the state and ranges from minor to severe. We did not have damage in the Lafayette area, but areas of northern and northeastern Indiana were hit. Surprisingly some damage occurred in south central[Read More…]
We are pleased to announce that the fruit and vegetable growers will be joining together for a summer field tour being hosted by Tuttle Orchards in Greenfield, IN on Wednesday, June 28. Topics to be covered include fruit production, vegetable production, farm marketing, and agritourism. There’s something here of interest to everyone so I hope[Read More…]
Indiana Horticultural Society Field Day June 28, 2017 Tuttle Orchard Greenfield, IN More details to come but mark the date on your calendar and plan to attend Indiana Winery and Vineyard Association Summer Meeting and Vineyard Tour July 18-19, 2017 Brown County Inn, Nashville IN More details to come, but mark the date on your calendar[Read More…]
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