Fruit Update:
- Apples: Codling moth trap numbers increased and in several orchards averaged 3 or more moths per trap. A bio-fix date has been set as May 12. Growing degree days (GDD) are being tracked to determine when pesticide application needs to be made to control codling moth larvae. Depending upon variety, apple stage of development ranged from bloom to petal fall.
- Peaches: Scouts are continuing to note winter damage. Most trees do not have blossoms. A few trees have a couple of blossoms. Oriental fruit moth catches were very high. A bio-fix date of May 7 was set. GDD are being tracked.
- Strawberries: Scouts noted strawberries are in bloom. It is important to use fungicides during the infective bloom period to prevent botrytis gray mold of strawberry fruit. Scouts also noted a few spittle bugs and some leaf spot on strawberry plants.
- Grapes: Scouts noting some cluster development. Early season fungicide spray for control of grape black rot and phomopsis cane blight needs to continue.
- Brambles, Blackberries and Raspberries: Scouts noted the presence of the lesser carpenter bee, which bores into bramble canes. Scouts are watching for orange rust.
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Blueberries: Most plants are in full bloom. Scouts noted yellow leaves in one planting. Very probably the yellow leaves are related to soil pH being too high.