SW Michigan Fruit Update
Check the Index for earlier postings
Southwest Michigan Fruit Update, July 23, 2007
Weather
The last two weeks have been hot and dry. Highs have been in the 70s and 80s. Scattered storms passed through the region last week dropping dropped from a trace to several inches of rain, most sites received between half to one inch of rain. Fruit crops are showing signs of drought stress, shedding older leaves, setting terminal bud and slowing fruit growth. Soils are still dry and soil moisture reserves are low. The forecast is for warmer weather. The dry conditions this season have resulted in very little disease pressure in most fruits.
Southwest
Michigan Growing Degree Days (GDD) Totals
|
Grapes from April 1 |
|||
Location |
GDD 42 |
GDD 45 |
GDD 50 |
GDD 50 |
2630 |
2291 |
1769 |
1662 |
|
2540 |
2203 |
1689 |
1591 |
|
2570 |
2139 |
1633 |
1532 |
|
2381 |
2052 |
1549 |
1454 |
|
2624 |
2287 |
1762 |
1659 |
|
Missing last three days data |
||||
2346 |
2021 |
1525 |
1432 |
|
2325 |
1998 |
1500 |
1420 |
|
Insects
Japanese beetles are common.
Tree fruit
Peach growers are harvesting Summer Serenade, Garnet Beauty, and PF7. Some Red Havens being picked. Dry conditions are hastening ripening. Flavor and quality is very good but fruit size is suffering due to lack of water. Western flower thrip damage is showing up on peaches. Peach constriction disease (phomopsis) is becoming more obvious but is generally causing minor damage. Oriental fruit moth catch is down indicating the end of the second generation. The third generation should emerge at about 2400 GDD base 45, so pheromone lures should be changed in the next two weeks. San Jose scale damage to nectarine fruit was seen in our area.
Cherries look good with little sign of cherry leaf spot.
In Apples, Pristine and Earligold are being picked. Codling moth catches for area have increased with the start of the second generation. Biofix for high-pressure sites was July 14th and lower pressure site biofix was approximately July 21st. European red mites numbers are high in some orchards. Sooty blotch symptoms were found in minimally sprayed orchards on Monday.
Small fruit
Blueberry harvest continues. Currently we are picking Bluecrop, Jersey and Elliot. Growers are irrigating to maintain fruit size. Sprinkler irrigation is conducive to fruit rot development and fungicide protection is very important in these fields. Anthracnose and Alternaria can be found. Blueberry maggot is flying in some areas. Japanese beetles and blueberry aphids are out. Be sure to check the new Blueberry IPM Newsletter at the MSU Blueberry Site.
Grapes berry growth and shoot growth are slowing under the dry conditions. Veraison has begun in early varieties. Grape berry moth trap catch numbers are up. The second-generation flight has started. Japanese beetle and grape leafhopper numbers are building. The annual Viticulture Day is scheduled for July 25. See the SWMREC website for registration information. Check the MSU Grape website for scouting updates.
Strawberry growth is good where irrigation has been used and potato leafhopper controlled.
Raspberry harvest is ending. Japanese beetles and potato leafhopper are easy to find.
Miscellaneous
Michigan Department of Agriculture tests for plum pox virus at the SW Michigan Research and Extension Center have been completed and were negative for 2007. Testing of the surrounding area and elsewhere in the state is ongoing.
The next grape IPM scouting meeting will be August 9 at Lemon Creek Vineyards, west of Berrien Springs. These meetings start at 6 PM. For more information on these meetings call Mark Longstroth at (269) 675-8313.
