By Terence Bradshaw It helps to read what you wrote after sending. This clarifies a question a grower had for me, now that I’ve re-read things. My post should have read “Fire blight remains a serious concern in any orchard … Continue reading →

By Terence Bradshaw Today’s alert will be brief. Fire blight remains a serious concern in any orchard that has open blossoms, apply streptomycin at 24 oz/acre plus 1 pint/100 gallons finished spray within 24 hours of a wetting event to … Continue reading →

By Terence Bradshaw Despite my sheepish warning in my last post, it appears that we are in a high risk period for fire blight infection in Champlain Valley and other warmer orchard sites with open blossoms this week. The charts … Continue reading →

By Terence Bradshaw Bloom status in Vermont orchards is all over the map. Of course, cooler high elevation and inland sites are generally going into full bloom now while Champlain and Connecticut Valley sites are at petal fall (PF). Honeycrisp … Continue reading →

By Terence Bradshaw Orchards in the Champlain Valley are largely in full bloom now, although Honeycrisp appear to be holding out for a couple of days as usual. I’ve heard reports of good bee flight last Saturday, but cool cloudy … Continue reading →

By Terence Bradshaw A quick note on apple scab: we are likely entering an infection period for the disease starting today through Sunday. If you aren’t covered with a protectant, either get one on between rainshowers or come in with … Continue reading →

By Terence Bradshaw I traveled around the Champlain Valley a bit today and saw apples well into the pink bud stage (and one open blossom), with a few caveats. Damage from the cold snap in early April is becoming more … Continue reading →

By Terence Bradshaw As I mentioned Monday, we are in the middle of an extended apple scab infection period this week and trees will require sustained protection to protect against the disease. Our situation is not as bad as in … Continue reading →

By Terence Bradshaw Rainfall beginning yesterday May 1 which will extend through today has caused an apple scab infection period is virtually all Vermont orchards. Rainfall amounts range in the 0.1 – 0.5 inch range, which would not be enough … Continue reading →