UVM Fruit Blog

March 21 Grape pruning cancelled

Hello:

Due to social distancing measures and the need to maintain public safety, we are cancelling the Grape Pruning workshop that was to be held at the UVM Horticulture Research & Education Center on March 21.

Here are some good pruning resources that may help guide you in pruning your vineyard:

· Finger Lakes Grape Program (FLGP): How to Prune Grapevines

o Top wire cordon

o VSP trellis

· Michigan State University Pruning and Training Top Wire Cordon Vines

It’s not a bad idea to assess winter bud damage on a few vines and adjust your pruning if appropriate. A visual assessment is easy to conduct. We encourage growers to collect their own primary bud mortality data prior to pruning, if possible. The procedure is fairly quick and requires no special equipment besides a hand lens or magnifying viewer. A helpful video from the Cornell Cooperative Extension Finger Lakes Grape Program that outlines the process may be found at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_RHJ5mY3fAs .

Dr Jim Meyers offered me the following model output that compares observed temperatures against expected bud hardiness on multiple cultivars for our farm in South Burlington, VT. The bad news is there were a few days in February where some damage may have occurred on cold-hardy cultivars, with Marquette (green line) potentially having been damaged on three days this winter. The good news is that grapevines have a remarkable system for ensuring their growth and potential cropping through their compound buds, and that generally grapevines can sustain 30% or more primary bud death before we get too concerned. You may also see that, in the model, Concord was not damaged by temperatures seen this winter. There is a range of bud hardiness among the commonly-grown cultivars in Vermont and the surrounding region, and I don’t see a lot to worry about in this table.

Good luck pruning out there, and let me know if I can help with anything.

Best, Terry

Followup information from Feb 13 annual Apple growers’ meeting

By Terence Bradshaw

I’ve been taking notes during today’s VTFGA / UVM Apple Program annual meeting. This is useful even if you didn’t make the meeting on Feb 13. Here goes:

1. Slides from the talks will be available at: http://www.uvm.edu/~fruit/?Page=treefruit/tf_meetings.html&SM=tf_submenu.html
They should be up there shortly.

2. Please consider taking our pretty short survey on cider apple production. Even if you don’t grow cider apples, knowing that is helpful to develop baseline data for the New England Cider Apple Project.

3. The Vermont Agriculture Food System Plan: 2020 is available at: https://agriculture.vermont.gov/document/vermont-agriculture-and-food-system-plan-2020
Vermont Secretary of Agriculture Anson Tebbetts discusses the report here: https://agriculture.vermont.gov/agency-agriculture-food-markets-news/secretary-tebbetts-op-ed-setting-table-vermont-what-would-you
This report was generated by agriculture professional and stakeholders and vetted by industry participants. So, the apple chapter was written by me and coauthored by the Vermont Tree Fruit Growers Association board of directors.

4. Dr. Anna Wallingford from UNH referenced the Xerces society in her talk on Integrated Pest and Pollinator Management. She also referenced A Pesticide Decision-making Guide to Protect Pollinators in Tree Fruit Orchards.

Where trade names or commercial products are used for identification,

no discrimination is intended and no endorsement is implied.

Always read the label before using any pesticide.

The label is the legal document for the product use.

Disregard any information in this message if it is in conflict with the

label.

The UVM Tree Fruit and Viticulture Program is supported by the

University of Vermont Agriculture Experiment Station, a USDA NIFA E-IPM

Grant, and USDA Risk Management Agency Funds.

Thoughts on spring approaching in Vermont orchards

By Terence Bradshaw

In contrast to the rest of the population, those of us in the fruit growing community hate warm March weather, and this year looks like another which will potentially give us early bud break, at least in the warmer parts of the state in Bennington county and the Connecticut Valley. Reports out of the Hudson Valley and Massachusetts suggest that they may are seeing silver tip on apples, and pear psylla have already started moving. I wouldn’t translate that to suggest that we will see green tip in the immediate future, but it’s coming. This gives growers time to get caught up and ready for spray season, so don’t be complacent.

Given the generally heavy crop in Vermont orchards in 2019, fruit bud density is expected to be relatively low this year. That means that pruning can be a little lighter to compensate for fewer fruit buds. That doesn’t give license to ignore your end of season pruning, but suggests that trees may be breezed through a little quicker if you have wrap up pruning to do. The winter has been generally good for outdoor work, so most orchards should be easily caught-up. My take home: get finished up in the next two weeks, then get ready for spraying season. After the soil dries a bit (and hoping that this early mud season is truly early and not just extended), push your pruning brush or flail mow in-place for high density plantings with smaller pruning wood. Calibrate your sprayer. As soon as you can get into the orchard, an application of urea to the leaf litter (44 lbs feed-grade urea in 100 gallons water per acre directed at the ground, especially under trees) may be warranted to reduce overwintering apple scab inoculum, too. That is not an organic-acceptable practice, so if you are certified, consider applying granular lime or compost tea instead if you wish to improve leaf litter decomposition.

Get your early season spray materials ordered and on-hand for when the season starts. No really, calibrate your sprayer. Be ready to properly oil the orchard if you have had any issues with mite flareups or San Jose scale, the latter of which I have seen not only in orchards but also on fruit in grocery stores. Remember that oil should go on at full dilute or no more than 2x concentration to be most effective; I’ll discuss that further in a future message. So when you calibrate your sprayer, be sure to reserve a setting for high-volume applications, either by switching to higher-output nozzles, reducing travel speed, or both.

Where trade names or commercial products are used for identification,

no discrimination is intended and no endorsement is implied.

Always read the label before using any pesticide.

The label is the legal document for the product use.

Disregard any information in this message if it is in conflict with the

label.

The UVM Tree Fruit and Viticulture Program is supported by the

University of Vermont Agriculture Experiment Station, a USDA NIFA E-IPM

Grant, and USDA Risk Management Agency Funds.

Upcoming orchard and vineyard workshops

By Terence Bradshaw

It’s a little late in the season, but UVM Spring Break is approaching which means that we have some time to get out in the field and spend some hands-on time with apple and grape growers. The following workshops will be held in the coming weeks, please email me with questions or just register at the listed links.

http://www.uvm.edu/%7Efruit/?Page=beginner/bg_workshops.html&SM=bg_submenu.html

Apple Pruning

Date: 3/7/2020 12-3 PM
Location: Robert Frost Stone House Museum
Address: 121 Historic Route 7A Shaftsbury, Vermont 05262
Registration: https://www.bennington.edu/events/apple-pruning-workshop
Fee: $0

Apple Pruning

Date: 3/11/2020 1-4 PM
Location: UVM Horticulture Research & Education Center
Address: 65 Green Mountain Drive, South Burlington, VT
Registration: https://survey.uvm.edu/index.php/112118?lang=en
Fee: $0

Apple Grafting Workshop

Date: 3/13/2020 1 – 4 PM
Location: UVM Horticulture Research & Education Center
Address: 65 Green Mountain Drive, South Burlington, VT
Registration: https://survey.uvm.edu/index.php/374228?lang=en
Fee: $0

Grape Pruning Workshop

Date: 3/21/2020 9 AM – 12 PM
Location: UVM Horticulture Research & Education Center
Address: 65 Green Mountain Drive, South Burlington, VT
Registration: https://survey.uvm.edu/index.php/253521?lang=en
Fee: $0

Orchard and Vineyard Establishment and Trellising (Apple and Grape)

Date: 4/17/2020 1-4 PM
Location: UVM Horticulture Research & Education Center
Address: 65 Green Mountain Drive, South Burlington, VT
Registration:https://survey.uvm.edu/index.php/512628?lang=en
Fee: $0

Where trade names or commercial products are used for identification,

no discrimination is intended and no endorsement is implied.

Always read the label before using any pesticide.

The label is the legal document for the product use.

Disregard any information in this message if it is in conflict with the

label.

The UVM Tree Fruit and Viticulture Program is supported by the

University of Vermont Agriculture Experiment Station, a USDA NIFA E-IPM

Grant, and USDA Risk Management Agency Funds.

Apple producers’ meeting is on for tomorrow, Thursday Feb 13 in Middlebury

By Terence Bradshaw

The weather for overnight tonight and into tomorrow is a little dicey, with 3-5 inches of snow, total, expected through tomorrow afternoon. Given the logistics of rescheduling, we’re going to keep the meeting date for tomorrow’s UVM Apple Program / VT Tree Fruit Growers Association 124th Annual Meeting.

American Legion Hall, 49 Wilson Rd, Middlebury, VT 05753

8:30-4:00 PM

www.uvm.edu/~fruit/treefruit/tf_meetings/VTFGA_124_2020agenda_registration.pdf

Thank you,

Terry

Where trade names or commercial products are used for identification,

no discrimination is intended and no endorsement is implied.

Always read the label before using any pesticide.

The label is the legal document for the product use.

Disregard any information in this message if it is in conflict with the

label.

The UVM Tree Fruit and Viticulture Program is supported by the

University of Vermont Agriculture Experiment Station, a USDA NIFA E-IPM

Grant, and USDA Risk Management Agency Funds.

Electronic Registration is Open- February 13 VTFGA & UVM Apple Program Annual growers’ meeting

By Terence Bradshaw

Notice: Early bird (discounted) registration ends February 4.

Electronic registration is now open at: https://my.cheddarup.com/c/vt-tree-fruit-growers-association-annual-dues

I am personally excited by the quality and breadth of information that will be presented at this meeting. For IPM topics, we’ll have UNH Entomologist Dr. Anna Wallingford and UMASS Extension specialist Elizabeth Garofalo who will each discuss critical pest management and pollination issues. Russell Powell from New England Apple Association will lead us in a soul-searching discussion of the future of apple cultivars in the region. And Rose Wilson will lead a group discussion on future direction of the Vermont Tree Fruit Growers Association and will provide critical insight on marketing your crop. This meeting will be of great use to all tree fruit growers and managers, large, small, wholesale, retail, conventional, and even unconventional.

The program has been approved by VT Agency of Agriculture for four pesticide reeducation credits.

Best,

Terry

Where trade names or commercial products are used for identification,

no discrimination is intended and no endorsement is implied.

Always read the label before using any pesticide.

The label is the legal document for the product use.

Disregard any information in this message if it is in conflict with the

label.

The UVM Tree Fruit and Viticulture Program is supported by the

University of Vermont Agriculture Experiment Station, a USDA NIFA E-IPM

Grant, and USDA Risk Management Agency Funds.

Pruning grapevines

By Terence Bradshaw

Winter is definitely here and so is the time to start pruning grapevines. I like to wait as late as possible to prune grapes, but be careful to give yourself enough time to get the job done before bud break. Consider that an acre of mature grapes may take 40 hours or more to prune, so plan accordingly. Also, when pruning, keep an eye out for diseased wood in the canopy that should be removed from the vineyard. At the UVM vineyard, we throw wood into the row middle and clean up with a York rake at the end of the season. In an organic vineyard, sanitation is even more important so the few bits of wood left over from raking may be undesirable, you may want to lay a tarp down to put the wood on and drag it along as you prune, then scoop up when full and transport to the burn pile.

It’s also not necessarily a bad idea to under prune the vineyard now while it’s still cold out. That would mean doing a pass through to get the big stuff- the main cane wood from last year that needs to get out of the way before you can see what you’re doing to make the fine cuts, then come back and trim spurs (if spur pruning) down to the desired number of buds to make your final cane selections if cane pruning. That way, if we get a really cold snap, you will have left more buds that can be used to compensate for primary bud loss.

Here are some good videos to watch on a cold day to remind yourselves of pruning techniques.

· Finger Lakes Grape Program (FLGP): How to Prune Grapevines

o Top wire cordon

o VSP trellis

· Michigan State University Pruning and Training Top Wire Cordon Vines

Stay warm,

Terry

Where trade names or commercial products are used for identification,

no discrimination is intended and no endorsement is implied.

Always read the label before using any pesticide.

The label is the legal document for the product use.

Disregard any information in this message if it is in conflict with the

label.

The UVM Tree Fruit and Viticulture Program is supported by the

University of Vermont Agriculture Experiment Station, a USDA NIFA E-IPM

Grant, and USDA Risk Management Agency Funds.

Winter apple pruning; ‘Click’ pruning

By Terence Bradshaw

Happy 2020, everyone. By now, in mid-January, all growers should be thinking about or well-into dormant pruning apple trees. This is the time to get your tree structure adjusted and to open trees up to sunlight and air to improve overall health and production. Below are some resources that may refresh your minds on the concepts and best practices in dormant pruning apples:

· Pruning -Horticulture Presentation by Dr. M. Elena Garcia

· VIDEO: (University of Massachusetts)

Recently, a new method of pruning that has been popularized in parts of Europe has emerged that aims to increase fruit bud development on trees that produce ‘blind wood’, like Cortland, Northern Spy, Fuji, and pears (especially pears). The Click Pruning technique calls for normal dormant pruning through scaffold management and limb/branch removal. Where it differs from pruning tenets we often promote is that it calls for heading cuts into one-year wood- those vegetative terminal shoots produced last year that have no side buds (yet). The idea is to leave small stubs of one-year wood in places on the tree where we want fruit buds to form. Those spurs, which now are missing their terminal bud which promotes apical dominance and therefore fewer lateral spurs (and thus more blind wood), will see increased growth and ‘breaking’ of lateral and sleeping buds that will form fruit spurs this year (and fruit the following). Here are two videos that illustrate the concept. We’ll be trying it on a number of our trees at the UVM orchard this year.

· “CLICK ” Pruning Apples & Pears – Controlling & Directing Vigor – Avoid “Blind” wood: Growing Fruit

· Understanding the click pruning technique – Video: Good Fruit Grower

Stay warm,

Terry

Where trade names or commercial products are used for identification,

no discrimination is intended and no endorsement is implied.

Always read the label before using any pesticide.

The label is the legal document for the product use.

Disregard any information in this message if it is in conflict with the

label.

The UVM Tree Fruit and Viticulture Program is supported by the

University of Vermont Agriculture Experiment Station, a USDA NIFA E-IPM

Grant, and USDA Risk Management Agency Funds.

Register for: Northern Grapes Webinar February 18 “Update on Trunk Injury and Disease Surveys in Minnesota and New York”

Northern Grapes Webinar

Update on Trunk Injury and Disease Surveys in Minnesota and New York

Annie Klodd and collaborators Matt Clark, Bob Blanchette, and Davy DeKrey: University of Minnesota

Janet Van Zoeren and Tim Martinson: Cornell University

February 18, 2020, 2:00 PM Eastern Standard Time (1:00 PM Central Time)

Annie Klodd

Extension Educator – Fruit and Vegetable Production

University of Minnesota Extension

St. Paul Minnesota

Annie conducts outreach and applied research to benefit fruit and vegetable growers of all sizes in Minnesota. Viticulture is an important part of her program.

Tim Martinson

Senior Extension Associate – Viticulture

Cornell University Extension

Geneva, New York

Tim is the senior extension associate in the section of horticulture, school of integrative plant science, based at Cornell AgriTech in Geneva, NY. He is the statewide viticulture extension specialist and outreach coordinator for the VitisGen2 project.

Two surveys addressing trunk injury and trunk diseases were undertaken in 2019 in Minnesota and New York. The Minnesota survey focused on identifying trunk pathogens and their impact in the upper Midwest. In the New York survey, we quantified the extent of missing grapevine canopy due to dead arms, missing vines, and visible Eutypa, and Crown Gall symptoms by examining 300 vines in 60 vineyard blocks. Percent canopy reduction in hybrids ranged from 0.5 to 26% (median=5%) and in vinifera ranged from 1 to 70% (median=10%). We will discuss management options for addressing trunk injury.

Registration: You need to pre-register to attend. Registrants will receive a link and reminder 1-2 days before the presentation.

Any questions can be addressed to rjw256

Timothy E. Martinson, Ph. D.

Senior Extension Associate

Statewide Viticulture Extension Program

Section of Horticulture, School of Integrative Plant Science

Cornell AgriTech

College of Agriculture and Life Sciences

106 Hedrick Hall

630 West North Street

Geneva, NY

tem2

Cornell University

office: 315-787-2448

mobile: 607-592-2616

https://hort.cals.cornell.edu/people/timothy-martinson

February 13: VTFGA & UVM Apple Program Annual growers’ meeting

By Terence Bradshaw

The agenda and registration for the 124th annual Vermont Tree Fruit Growers Association and UVBM Apple Program growers’ meeting is now available. Registration and agenda are at: http://go.uvm.edu/2020applemtg. Electronic registration is not set up at this time, please use the old-fashioned snail mail form in the link or check back shortly.

The program has been approved by VT Agency of Agriculture for four pesticide reeducation credits.

I look forward to seeing everyone. Early bird (discounted) registration deadline is February 4.

Best,

Terry

Where trade names or commercial products are used for identification,

no discrimination is intended and no endorsement is implied.

Always read the label before using any pesticide.

The label is the legal document for the product use.

Disregard any information in this message if it is in conflict with the

label.

The UVM Tree Fruit and Viticulture Program is supported by the

University of Vermont Agriculture Experiment Station, a USDA NIFA E-IPM

Grant, and USDA Risk Management Agency Funds.