Blessings for Earth
Tree Fruit IPM Update, too! 16 May 2019
This past week was pretty amazing. First, the sun came out for a bit. I kind of went “all vampire” for a bit then I realized that it was just the sun. Second, a great group of local biodynamic farmers and enthusiasts came together to make some biodynamic preps at Remembrance Farm in Trumansburg. Finally, I realized just how lucky and blessed we are to be able to work with the earth, and farm and grow great food together. It gave me pause the reflect on and – for a moment – forget about all the craziness on the world.
Forecast: Cool and Cloudy! - This spring so far has been about as cool and cloudy and wet as I can remember. The forest trees came out late, and when they did they were peaked and pale. The same can be said for orchards around the state. Even though temperatures have been increasing, the lack of sunshine means less photosynthesis, which means fewer carbohydrates (CHO) produced. From a technical standpoint, fruit trees have been in a near continual carbohydrate deficit (CHO produced – CHO consumed) since the beginning of the growing season. As fruitlets begin to grow this will put more stress on the trees (more fruitlets require more CHO to grow) as they try to keep up, meaning that thinning early is more critical this year than it usually is in order to reduce fruit loads and subsequent tree stress. Lack of early thinning means that fruitlet thinning during normal periods (8-12mm) will easier, in some cases too easy (that’s a warning not to be too aggressive) as long as we stay in or near to a carbohydrate deficit. As well, lack of early thinning and prolonger CHO deficit could mean heavier June drop and lower fruit yields as the trees try to make up the difference on their own. Can someone do a sun dance, please?
FLX Biodynamic Prepmakers - A few months ago a small group of farmers and biodynamic enthusiasts were brought together in an effort to start a biodynamic prep making group in the area. What started as a dream was actualized last Saturday at Remembrance Farm in Trumansburg. Though this was my first time making any preps, there were a number of experienced prepmakers on hand and their wisdom was invaluable. We ended up making three barrels of Maria Thun Barrel compost, a not insubstantial amount of nettle prep, some oak bark prep (three skull’s worth!), and horn silica. What in the world you say? Biodynamic preps are the backbone of applied biodynamics and when made and used as intended they can help balance the farm ecosystem during periods of crazy and wacky weather patterns. Barrel Compost is made by mixing fresh cow manure with basalt, ground egg shells, and each of the prepared preps before placing into half barrels (wine in this case) that are buried in the ground. Each barrel is then blessed with the compost preps (yarrow, chamomile, oak bark, and dandelion before sprinkling mixed valerian on each prior to placing covering to keep the rain out. Nettles on the other hand are simply harvested fresh, placed in a wire mesh basket, and buried in the ground. Oak bark involves the use of freshly ground oak bark placed in the cavity of a cow skull before locating into a gently flowing water course. Finally, horn silica is made by mixing ground quartz with water and filling cow horns, sealing with clay, and burying again the ground. Each will stay in place for at least a year, even longer for some. Of course there is more to it than this, but you get the idea. Now, we wait. I’ll be expanding on this amazing group in a future article I’m writing for Applied Biodynamics, so stay tuned. Special thanks to Kaitlin Voellinger for being the spark, Paul Brock for the barrels, Nathaniel Thompson for hosting, and EVERYONE for being there and joyfully shoveling shit on a beautiful Saturday!
Hope in the face of Despair - Today, it was announced that the CO2 levels of our atmosphere exceeded 415ppm for the first time in, well, ever. Not just since humans came on the scene, but ever! As well, it was close to 80F at several locations near the Arctic Circle recently. So despite the short-term cool cloudy weather we’re facing here in the northeast, the planet is going through unprecedented changes that will have profound effects we’ve barely even considered. It is often remarked that as a fruit grower you get maybe 50 chances in a lifetime to “get it right,” meaning you get 50 chances to learn from your mistakes. Likewise, you get maybe 50 chances to see the glory and awesomeness of nature during bloom. Witnessing the awakening of the trees and seeing the beginning of another crop is beyond exhilarating. Everything else is icing on the cake. The power and beauty of nature reminds us that even during these turbulent times there is an energy in and around us that will go on regardless. In its 4.5 billion history, Earth has gone through its share of turbulence and has ultimately recovered to see another day. And even though current human-caused ecological destruction is unparalleled in its history, this too shall pass. Take refuge in nature and share in its awesomeness each day. Remind yourself, as I do each day, there are powers greater than those currently deciding the fate of the planet. Remind yourself there is hope, and enjoy the beauty that surrounds us. Peace.
Apple scab -Still no visible active lesions in the field, yet. That said, pretty much the entire state is in the midst of an extended apple scab period. It's highest in the lower Hudson Valley, less so further upstream. Whereas western is in critical territory but the infection period is severely extended into the weekend and possibly early next week. The cool, wet weather is creating the potential for a severe scab season if trees are not covered diligently. Even though the Hudson Valley is closing in on the end of primary season, this is NOT an invitation to pull back on the reins. WNY is still in it for the long haul (i.e., a few more weeks).
Cedar Apple Rust - ditto for rust, still no active lesions reported from the field. Whereas scab is winding down in ENY, CAR is just entering its most important infection period (MIIP). Except CAR infection potential to remain high any time there is rain, which has been very frequent lately.
Powdery Mildew - While NEWA doesn't provide a PM model, RIMpro does. Last week, RIMpro hadn't forecast any PM infection periods. This week however, RIMpro shows that pressure from PM is increasing as of this week. By early next week, PM infection potential is near continuous through the week. There are breaks of course. So as apple scab starts to wind down, PM is just getting started in ENY. WNY still doesn't show any PM infection potential (as expected).
Fireblight - The situation as blossoms open across the state is that there is elevated levels of FB infections compared to last week. While much of the Hudson Valley is rapidly approaching petal fall (or there already on many varieties), there are still some varieties with open blossoms and therefore susceptible to infection. This is not enough to warrant prophylactic FB control applications UNLESS you have a susceptible varieties with open blossoms. WNY on the other hand is still approaching full bloom and so also not in a position where fireblight is a huge threat. Beware if there are any blocks with open blossoms, but for the most part stay tuned.
Misc. Diseases - We have seen some evidence of Pseudomonas in pear and apple. While this is not a pernicious disease, it cause loss of blossoms and kill spurs. Bacterial Leaf Spot in stone fruit is also running rampant (exaggeration!) and outdistancing the use of even conventional antibiotics. Though I have zero direct experience, it is possible that some biologicals may provide a modicum of protection - two are Double Nickle and Actinovate AG. Without getting into the technical details, each has bacterial suppression properties. They are not systemic, but might subdue infections when used with copper and/or conventional antibiotics.
Insects - The first OFM and CM have been caught. And as reported last week, OFM eggs are being laid and the first ones hatching in the lower HV. Where possible, the use of Entrust may be effective against internal fruit feeders if timed properly. WAA is also getting started, lightly, and this time however there is no good organic control. Gypsy moths have been active this past week or so, not causing a lot of damage, but present nonetheless. Finally, PC is slow to get started, but is active nonetheless. We have seen some active stings and all that's needed are some warm evenings and hungry critters. OFM information from NEWA - "Check the time elapsed after petal fall to determine the exact timing of this second spray. This second spray should be applied at about 10-14 days after petal fall. This second spray against the first generation of OFM is particularly important in high-pressure orchards (past history of OFM fruit damage or high pheromone traps catches, (>10/ trap/ week) to control the remainder of hatching larvae. If this spray is applied at the normal time of a first cover spray (10-14 days after petal fall) it will also control early hatching CM larvae from the first flight of adults. Also, Plum curculio may still be active at this interval after PF in cool, rainy seasons."
This past week was pretty amazing. First, the sun came out for a bit. I kind of went “all vampire” for a bit then I realized that it was just the sun. Second, a great group of local biodynamic farmers and enthusiasts came together to make some biodynamic preps at Remembrance Farm in Trumansburg. Finally, I realized just how lucky and blessed we are to be able to work with the earth, and farm and grow great food together. It gave me pause the reflect on and – for a moment – forget about all the craziness on the world. 
FLX Biodynamic Prepmakers - A few months ago a small group of farmers and biodynamic enthusiasts were brought together in an effort to start a biodynamic prep making group in the area. What started as a dream was actualized last Saturday at Remembrance Farm in Trumansburg. Though this was my first time making any preps, there were a number of experienced prepmakers on hand and their wisdom was invaluable. We ended up making three barrels of Maria Thun Barrel compost, a not insubstantial amount of nettle prep, some oak bark prep (three skull’s worth!), and horn silica. What in the world you say? Biodynamic preps are the backbone of applied biodynamics and when made and used as intended they can help balance the farm ecosystem during periods of crazy and wacky weather patterns. Barrel Compost is made by mixing fresh cow manure with basalt, ground egg shells, and each of the prepared preps before placing into half barrels (wine in this case) that are buried in the ground. Each barrel is then blessed with the compost preps (yarrow, chamomile, oak bark, and dandelion before sprinkling mixed valerian on each prior to placing covering to keep the rain out. Nettles on the other hand are simply harvested fresh, placed in a wire mesh basket, and buried in the ground. Oak bark involves the use of freshly ground oak bark placed in the cavity of a cow skull before locating into a gently flowing water course. Finally, horn silica is made by mixing ground quartz with water and filling cow horns, sealing with clay, and burying again the ground. Each will stay in place for at least a year, even longer for some. Of course there is more to it than this, but you get the idea. Now, we wait. I’ll be expanding on this amazing group in a future article I’m writing for Applied Biodynamics, so stay tuned. Special thanks to Kaitlin Voellinger for being the spark, Paul Brock for the barrels, Nathaniel Thompson for hosting, and EVERYONE for being there and joyfully shoveling shit on a beautiful Saturday! 
