Onion thrips (Thrips tabaci) are fairly reliable pests of allium crops in Maine, unlike the last several insect pests highlighted in this newsletter. Despite their name, they actually feed on a wide range of plants but can be very damaging to alliums. Life Cycle Thrips overwinter in culls and residues, weedy patches, and nearby fields […]
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In this newsletter: Thinning Outlook Fruit Set in Different Varieties Poor Return Bloom Other Observations of No Concern Thinning Outlook Good temperatures for chemical thinning will occur this week and into next week. The warm temperatures will mean that fruit can rapidly grow to a size where they become resistant to chemical thinners. Most varieties […]
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TARNISHED PLANT BUG ACTIVE IN SOUTHERN MAINE Two-Spotted Spider Mite Populations Over Threshold in Some Fields Situation: Strawberry development continues to be slow, due to the mostly cool, damp weather. Some early varieties that were under rowcovers are beyond petal fall and may be ready for harvest in about two weeks if the weather improves. […]
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Fungal diseases remain the primary concern this season due to continuously wet conditions. Botrytis leaf blight in particular is increasing in prevalence at all scouting locations, and the weather forecast warrants action for those using fungicides. As a reminder, the action threshold for the first fungicide application is when: Lesions average 1 or more per […]
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Apple Thinning Update McIntosh, Triumph, and Gala apples were showing signs of fruit set Wed. The king fruit were swelling and had sepals closing over the calyx. However, there were also unpollinated blossoms dropping. This early assessment indicates that fruit set may not be heavy this year, but enough to justify applying chemical thinners. Chemical […]
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In this newsletter: Thinning Strategies Peach Leaf Curl Announcements Thinning Strategies for 2025 The prolonged cool weather during full bloom has me concerned about pollination in Honeycrisp and other varieties that bloomed after McIntosh at Highmoor Farm. Temperatures in the forecast for the Augusta area look favorable for some pollination Monday assuming that it is […]
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Leek Moth Leek moth is a pest of allium crops that was first found in the US (New York) in 2009. It is not widespread in Maine – it was identified in Franklin and Somerset counties in 2021 but not since. However, because leek moth is problematic in other northern New England states and neighboring […]
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Full Bloom Conditions Return bloom appears adequate in most apple blocks at Highmoor Farm. Some trees of Honeycrisp have sparse bloom intermixed with trees that have good return bloom. Honeycrisp and most other varieties are in full bloom today. Cherries and early blooming apples are at petal fall. Pollination conditions have been good in early […]
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STRAWBERRY BLOOM = TIME TO PREVENT FRUIT ROT Spider Mite Populations Growing, White Grubs Found in Weak Plantings Situation: The mostly cool and damp weather has slowed strawberry development across the state. Early varieties such as Wendy and Honeoye are coming into bloom. Early fields under rowcovers are in full bloom in the southern part […]
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Potential Botrytis Leaf Blight Symptoms of Botrytis leaf blight were found on garlic at all scouting locations this week – Buxton, Monmouth, Topsham, and Washington, ME. Samples of symptomatic plants are being sent to the UMaine Plant Diagnostic Lab for confirmation. Conditions certainly have been favorable for development of this pathogen, as discussed in last […]
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