SW Michigan Fruit Update

Check the Index for earlier postings

September 19, 2005

Mark Longstroth
Bill Shane
Al Gaus

Weather

The last two weeks weather continued hot and dry with highs near 90 and lows in the 60s. Cooler weather and rain moved into the area on September 14. Rainfall across the region was between one and two inches.  This week’s forecast is for cooler weather with a chance for rain. 

Southwest Michigan Growing Degree Day Totals March 1 through September 18, 2005				Grapes, from April 1
Location	GDD 42	GDD 45	GDD 50	GDD 50
SWMREC:	4114	3630	2862	2841
Bainbridge:	4176	3686	2912	2890
Hartford:	3838	3358	2603	2584
Grand Junction:	4150	3664	2900	2875
Fennville:	3898	3422	2672	2653

Tree fruit

Peach harvest is ending. 

In Apples, we are harvesting Gala, Macintosh and Jonathan.  Weekly Apple Maturity Updates are being posted on the MSU Fruit Team Website.  Oriental Fruit moth numbers are declining and are at low levels indicating the end of the flight. Codling moth trap catches are zero but obliquebanded leafroller are still flying.

Small fruit

Blueberry harvest is finished.

In Grapes:  Concord grape harvest is underway.

Fall Raspberry harvest is continues.

Cranberries are ripening and harvest should begin soon.