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Weekly Fruit Update - July 13, 2022

'Romeo' tart cherries ripening on July 5, 2022. These trees opened for U-pick in Nisswa over the weekend. Photo: Annie Klodd

 

Author: Annie Klodd, Extension Educator - Fruit Production. kloddann@umn.edu

Apples

Insects: Japanese beetles, codling moths, and apple maggots are currently active. Continue using traps to monitor for codling moths and apple maggots, as they are hard to detect with the naked eye until after they have already caused damage. Japanese beetle traps are optional; damage is obvious on the leaves, and they do not need to be sprayed at the first appearance.

See this article for information on managing Japanese beetles in apples. The Midwest Fruit Pest Management Guide has a thorough list of effective pesticides.

Grapes

We are a couple of weeks out from the start of veraison. During this time, growers focus on managing canopy shape and vigor through tucking shoots (on VSP vines), combing shoots (on single high wire vines), hedging and skirting. Once the shoots are hedged, they tend to push out more lateral shoots that require another round of hedging. It is a little late for leaf removal, but some can still be done; just be careful not to remove too many at this point or you risk sunburn on the berries. While these steps are a lot of work, they help balance the plant's energy between fruit production and vegetative growth. They also help provide sunlight to the clusters by reducing excess shading, and promote airflow through the canopy to reduce disease development.

Insects: Japanese beetles are by far the most noticeable and frustrating insect right now. For management recommendations, see this article. The Midwest Fruit Pest Management Guide has a thorough list of effective pesticides.

Strawberries

June-bearing strawberry harvest season is, for the most part, over for 2022. The season was short due to hot, dry weather, which has been a trend in recent years. Now is the time to renovate the strawberry beds. 

What's next? Renovation is the next essential step for strawberries. It is needed for the plants to grow strong vegetative and reproductive structures that overwinter for the following season. The general steps of renovation include: Mowing the canopy, fertilizing, cultivating the inter-rows, and applying weed control if needed. 

Please read this page for instructions on renovation: Strawberry End-of-Season Renovation.

Blueberries

Blueberries are beginning to be harvested in southern Minnesota and are not yet ripe in northern Minnesota. 

Insects and diseases: Spotted wing drosophila (SWD) is beginning to show up in traps in Washington County, Houston County, and Dakota County. To reduce the impact of SWD, harvest fruit as soon as they ripen. Research has found that harvesting every 1-2 days significantly reduces fruit infestation compared to every 3 days. In Minnesota, disease and most other insect issues in blueberries are occasional; some growers may occasionally observe scale, phomopsis, and blueberry maggots during harvest. 

Raspberries

Summer-bearing (floricane) raspberries are currently being harvested. 

Insects: Spotted wing drosophila (SWD) is beginning to show up in traps in Washington County, Houston County, and Dakota County. To reduce the impact of SWD, harvest fruit as soon as they ripen. Research has found that harvesting every 1-2 days significantly reduces fruit infestation compared to every 3 days. 

Diseases: If disease issues or prolonged rainfall events occur, growers may observe botrytis grey mold. Grey mold is prevented through spraying a protectant fungicide shortly before a rainfall event during bloom or the harvest season. To help stop existing infections from growing, apply an effective fungicide such as Elevate, Abound, Rally, or another option listed on page 157 of the Midwest Fruit Pest Management Guide. Be aware of pre-harvest intervals and re-entry intervals before spraying.


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