Author: swright

Tree Fruit Newsletter — August 26, 2024

In this newsletter: Maturity Report Observations Announcements Maturity Report Peaches Peaches we are picking now: Raritan Rose, Frost Peaches we will pick next: Coralstar, PF17, Veteran Coralstar is ripening ahead of schedule because our trees have a very light crop load. Apples Paulareds at Highmoor Farm have been harvested. We do not have Gingergold, but […]

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Spotted Wing Drosophila Alert and Berry Notes — August 23, 2024

David Handley, Vegetable and Small Fruit Specialist; James Dill, Pest Management Specialist, Phil Fanning, Assistant Professor of Agricultural Entomology, Christina Howard, Maine New Farmer Project Manager Spotted Wing Drosophila: Fly counts in our vinegar/yeast traps continue to rise in nearly all locations (see table below). We strongly recommend protective sprays be applied to all ripening […]

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Tree Fruit Newsletter — August 22, 2024

In this newsletter: Maturity Report ReTain Instructions Maturity Report Peaches Peaches we are picking now: Lucky 13, PF15A Peaches we will pick next: Blazingstar, Starfire Apples Paulared starch index is 3.5. Ready for a general harvest at Highmoor Farm. Pay attention to preharvest intervals for recently applied materials. Starch index is measured on a scale […]

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Cucurbit Downy Mildew Alert for Pumpkins and Winter Squash

Cucurbit downy mildew (CDM) was confirmed Sunday, August 18 on pumpkin in New Jersey. Pumpkin and winter squash growers should now regularly apply both broad-spectrum and downy mildew-targeted fungicides to their crops. Recommended broad-spectrum materials are chlorothalonil or copper, both of which are effective against both CDM and cucurbit powdery mildew. Recommended CDM-targeted materials include […]

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Spotted Wing Drosophila Alert and Berry Notes — August 19, 2024

David Handley, Vegetable and Small Fruit Specialist; James Dill, Pest Management Specialist, Phil Fanning, Assistant Professor of Agricultural Entomology, Christina Howard, Maine New Farmer Project Manager Spotted Wing Drosophila: Fly counts in our vinegar/yeast traps rose considerably in nearly all locations this week. We strongly recommend protective sprays be applied to all ripening berries and […]

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Tree Fruit Newsletter — August 16, 2024

In this newsletter: Maturity Report McIntosh ReTain Dates Orchard observations Maturity Report Peaches Peaches we are picking now: Garnet Beauty, an early strain of Redhaven. We are done harvesting Summer Serenade and PF 8 Ball. The better of the two is Summer Serenade. We are also done with harvest of July Rose which is a […]

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Late Blight Alert

Late blight has been found in a potato field in Presque Isle, ME this week. This follows reports of this disease being found recently in Michigan and New Brunswick. We have had no reports of late blight on potatoes or tomatoes anywhere else in Maine at this time, but be aware that current weather conditions […]

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Tree Fruit Newsletter — August 10, 2024

In this newsletter: Maturity Report Predicted McIntosh Harvest and ReTain Dates Preharvest intervals and sprays Maturity Report Cool temperatures have slowed the ripening of stone fruit on and off the tree. When picked at the partial-ripe stage, they are taking four days to reach eating quality. Partial-ripe is when they are still firm, but not […]

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