Know Your Roots Consulting Grower Update - No 3
30 March 2020
Grower Update #3 March 30 2020
The weather patterns since the last update have been variable across the state, but overall have been cooler and in some cases wetter than previously anticipated. This has slowed the progression of the various tree fruit crops (and caneberries), though the march forward continues and we are still 7-14 days ahead of normal. For example, apricots in the lower Hudson Valley are at 50-60% full bloom, while apples are at greentip and peaches are at full swell with some pink showing in earlier varieties. This has likely changed since I was last out on Friday and I expect this week all regions to be at GT to 1/4" green sometime this week. Here in the Finger Lakes we're barely past ST and holding steady with trace snow predicted.
Tree Phenology - Degree Day - Tree phenological, insect and disease development is tied to degree day accumulation at specific sites. As the chart below shows, most areas should be into the QIG to HIG area with some into the TC predictive stage. This doesn't meant that these trees are at these stages just that from a predictive standpoint they could be there based on historical data. Most importantly, if they are not at the predicted stage yet, they soon will be. Apple phenological stages have been historically tied to the development of McIntosh as the Index variety. Some varieties, like Ginger Gold or Paulared, may develop sooner, while others like many cider cultivars develop much later. I use the standard 43DDBE accumulation model that corresponds closely to tree phenology and diseases. Some insect models use DD50BE. Take Home - just be aware that though the weather has slowed things down, Mother Nature has her own plans and marches on......
Spray Update- Most growers have made a single copper application to pome and stone fruit. I do not see a need for anything except for an additional copper this week. With all of the rain predicted I especially recommend another copper spray (NuCop 50DF @ 5 lbs/acre) + oil (1-2% v/v) as long as trees are not more developed than QIG to reduce fruit russeting. If you are using JMS stylet oil, then there is a little more leeway. The shift to "stronger" fungicide will be indicated by later this week for the week of April 6. I still recommend that anything you can do to slow the trees down is in your favor. DELAY pruning and DO NOT fertilize to the greatest degree possible - for at least another week.
* Please be aware that in some areas there is cold (33F) temperatures predicted for the next two nights. If there is frost or even the threat of frost predicted, then oils should NOT be applied within 48 hours (before or after) of a frost or freeze event.
Biodynamic Sprays - The time is here for the application of the first BD500 sprays. You definitely want to wait for a few more weeks before any BD501 sprays are applied - any of the warming sprays may potentially awaken the trees sooner than you want. Finally, now is the time to begin getting your BD508 (Horsetail) decoctions going. If you do not have a ready supply of local horsetail (Equisetum arvense) you can buy the dried herb from Josephine Porter Institute there are instructions at their web site. I suggest putting BD508 into every spray for disease control but also for the cosmic silica influence. FROST CONTROL - there are biodynamic approaches to reducing potential for and recovering from any frost damage. They need to be applied the night before and the morning after to work, and for every frost threat thereafter. we'll get into these as we get closer to actual bloom and potential frosts. Also time to buy BD507 (Valerian) from JPI as well in preparation - with such an early season I expect we will have at least a few frosty morning before we get to safe territory.
* For specific directions on mixing and applying biodynamic preps, please contact me directly.
Disease - there are still no disease issues to worry about. The early season sprays of copper helps with several diseases including apple scab, fireblight (apples and pears), bacterial canker (cherries and stone fruit), peach leaf curl (peaches), and black rot (plums). Apple scab is still not an issue for most except the most advanced areas. That will change over the next week to 10 days.
Insects - generally speaking insects are still pretty dormant. But, oriental fruit moth (OFM) and pear psylla (PP) can be active early in temperatures as cool/cold as 40sF. If you have had issues with PP in the past, or just grow a significant quantity of pears, then an oil spray is advised before bud break. Oil will kill/reduce viability eggs and reduce fecundity of adult females. Dormant or Stylet oil at 2% v/v (2 gal oil/100 gal water). See caution note above about oil application near frost/freeze events.
Know Your Roots - Degree Day Data - 2020
Degree Days (DD43BE) - as of Mar 29
Station
since Jan 1
Predicted ****
Ttl Pred (4/6)
Accord
141.7
27.0
168.7
Denver
42.3
19.0
61.3
Germantown
141.3
24.0
165.3
Interlaken
111.0
23.0
134.0
Ithaca (airport)
96.5
23.0
119.5
Lodi
118.8
20.0
138.8
New Paltz
149.8
31.0
180.8
Red Hook
157.8
28.0
185.8
Average
119.9
24.4
144.3
Key Phenological Events - Apple - DD43BE
Stage
DD43
Std Dev
Date*
Silver Tip
97
ND
Greentip
121
+/- 26
6-Apr
1/4" Green
ND
ND
1/2" Green
167
ND
14-Apr
Tight Cluster
234
+/- 25
22-Apr
Pink
307
+/- 24
28-Apr
Bloom
427
+/- 35
3-May
Petal Fall
490
+/- 42
13-May
Fruit Set
558
Expanded Soil Health Services - for anyone that is interested, Know Your Roots is offering expanded soil testing services. While we can't offer the same level of lab tests as academic institutions, we do offer services that have faster feedback, that can be done at the farm level, and c monitored over time through the season So what are these incredible resources? Paper chromatography, Solvita, qualitative assessments, and more. If interested please let me know and we'll git 'r done. mike@knowyouroots.com
The weather patterns since the last update have been variable across the state, but overall have been cooler and in some cases wetter than previously anticipated. This has slowed the progression of the various tree fruit crops (and caneberries), though the march forward continues and we are still 7-14 days ahead of normal. For example, apricots in the lower Hudson Valley are at 50-60% full bloom, while apples are at greentip and peaches are at full swell with some pink showing in earlier varieties. This has likely changed since I was last out on Friday and I expect this week all regions to be at GT to 1/4" green sometime this week. Here in the Finger Lakes we're barely past ST and holding steady with trace snow predicted.
Tree Phenology - Degree Day - Tree phenological, insect and disease development is tied to degree day accumulation at specific sites. As the chart below shows, most areas should be into the QIG to HIG area with some into the TC predictive stage. This doesn't meant that these trees are at these stages just that from a predictive standpoint they could be there based on historical data. Most importantly, if they are not at the predicted stage yet, they soon will be. Apple phenological stages have been historically tied to the development of McIntosh as the Index variety. Some varieties, like Ginger Gold or Paulared, may develop sooner, while others like many cider cultivars develop much later. I use the standard 43DDBE accumulation model that corresponds closely to tree phenology and diseases. Some insect models use DD50BE. Take Home - just be aware that though the weather has slowed things down, Mother Nature has her own plans and marches on......
