SW Michigan Fruit Update
April 4, 2006
Weather
Last week was relatively mild. Temperatures were above 60 on the 31st, and above freezing at night. Growing Degree Day accumulations are about average for this time of year. Two new stations have been added to the MAWN network in the Southwest region, Scottdale in Central Berrien County and Lawton in Eastern Van Buren County. This week’s forecast is for warmer weather, which should move fruit buds along so that green tissue is showing later this week.
Southwest Michigan Growing Degree Day Totals March 1 through April 3, 2005 |
Grapes, from April 1 |
|||
Location |
GDD 42 |
GDD 45 |
GDD 50 |
GDD 50 |
89 |
66 |
38 |
2 |
|
85 |
63 |
36 |
2 |
|
92 |
67 |
38 |
2 |
|
81 |
59 |
32 |
1 |
|
Lawton |
|
|
|
|
103 |
76 |
42 |
3 |
|
73 |
53 |
29 |
1 |
|
Tree fruit
Most tree fruits are
in the swollen bud stage. Now is a good time to apply copper.
Apricot buds are past red tip and we should see white next week. Poor growth in some sites and varieties indicates that there was some winter kill.
Peach buds are opening. Winter fruit bud loss has been reported is some varieties and on lower, colder sites. The time has passed for peach leaf curl sprays.
Both sweet and tart cherries are past the swollen bud stage; at green side.
In Plums, Oriental plum buds have burst but European plums buds are at swollen bud.
Apple buds are at silver tip. We should be at green tip by the end of the week and growers need to worry about apple scab. Because of the mild winter, I expect scab spores in the leaf litter will be ready as soon as green tissue is available for infection. Growers should be ready to apply scab sprays.
Pears buds are beginning to swell. Pear Psylla adults are out.
Small fruit
Blueberry fruit buds are swollen and leaf buds are beginning to move. The dry weather is holding back mummyberry mushroom development.
Grapes are dormant.
Strawberries are beginning to put out new leaves. Growers are applying herbicides and putting down straw mulch.
Raspberries are dormant.
Cranberries are dormant.
Miscellaneous
Growers are finishing pruning and are clearing brush and applying copper.
The first Monday Fruit Update meeting will be, Monday April 10, at the Fruit Acres Farm in Berrien County.
