Author: Terence Bradshaw
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VT Apple IPM Codling moth management due any time
At the UVM Horticulture Research and Education Center, we caught our first codling moth in our pheromone traps on Thursday, May 26. Using that day as a biofix, we start accumulating degree days (base 50°), or rather let NEWA accumulate them, and plan to apply a treatment at egg hatch. Most literature references 220 DD…
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Vermont Grape IPM: Peak Disease Management
We seem to be in a Goldilocks sweet spot in regards to moisture- just enough for the vines, not too wet to get work done. That can let some folks get complacent, but as vines are entering the immediate prebloom period, we are at peak disease pressure with all of the major diseases active to…
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Calibrating Airblast Sprayers, June 29 or 30
Forwarding this great opportunity to the Vermont grower community. This would be appropriate for apple, grape, and other berry (e.g., bramble, blueberry, etc.) growers.-TB Wednesday, June 29 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm Whitecliff Vineyard, 331 Mckinstry Rd, Gardiner, NY 12525. OR Thursday, June 30 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm Rulf’s Orchard, 531 Bear Swamp Road,…
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Vermont Apple IPM
Orchards in the highest elevation and coolest areas are at or just past petal fall, so all the advice I’ve had for other growers applies there as well now. All orchards should have started or completed chemical thinning by now. Fabulous thinning weather occurred last week and those who applied the usual materials should see…
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VT Grape IPM
Vine growth is flushing out rapidly in Vermont vineyards, with many vines at or approaching 5-8” shoot growth. We are entering a critical window of disease management when anthracnose, black rot, Phomopsis, and powdery mildew can all be active. There isn’t a lot of rain in the forecast, but showers mid-week may cause enough wetting…
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Vermont Vineyard IPM
Grapevines at the UVM Horticulture Research & Education Center are showing up to three to five inches of shoot growth, depending on variety. We are beginning to enter a critical time for disease management- all growers should plan on starting your spray program this week or soon thereafter (for inland growers with less growth). I…
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VT Apple IPM: (early?) petal fall on apples
Apple scab is still a concern in Vermont orchards. However, as heat gas continued to accumulate and relatively regular showers have provided for spore release from leaf litter, the supply of inoculum available to infect orchards, assuming you have prevented infection during these wetting events, is dwindling. The NEWA model in some sites shows up…
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Vermont Apple IPM: Petal fall considerations
Orchards around the state are either in bloom (inland) or at/approaching petal fall (Champlain / Connecticut Valleys). This is always a tricky time for management, and growers may need to be ready to apply different treatments to different parts of the farm. Here’s my quick rundown: Insects: Generally, there are still too many flowers out…
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Bud burst and growing shoots in Vermont vineyards
With the heat last week things moved fast, vines at the UVM vineyard range from bud burst to 1-2 inches of growth. It’s time to really be thinking about protecting vines from early season disease infections. Most cold-climate cultivars will not need disease protection until 5-8” of shoot growth, but any vineyards with heavy disease…
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Vermont Apple IPM: Big disease events ahead
I’ll be relatively brief, since everyone needs to do the same thing. With orchards at tight cluster to early pink bud stage (I appreciate everyone who is reporting their stages at this link), more significant heat, and a rain event expected late this weekend, we are looking at a double whammy of apple scab and…