MSUE 1999 Code-A-Phone tape messages.

Ridge-area Code-A-Phone Monday, May 3, 1999 10:30 AM Growing Information  Growth stages – we are at Pink now on most varieties on the ridge and quickly approaching King Bloom. We call it King Bloom when 80% of the Kings are open. Promalin applications on Red Delicious go on when 80% of the kings are open. Disease Information Fireblight – Based on the open bloom and the predicted temperatures for Tuesday, Maryblyt predicts a FB infection if we get rain or a heavy dew. The predicted temperatures for Wednesday appear to be low enough so that an infection will not be triggered. It all depends on when the rain begins. If the storms predicted for Wednesday are strong enough to damage foliage Streptomycin should be applied within 24 hours. Streptomycin gives 2 days forward protection and 1 day back. Powdery Mildew – Now is also the time to think of adding a mildewcide for early control of powdery mildew. Unlike apple scab, PM does not require a film of moisture to germinate its spores. Mildew spores germinate in the presence of high relative humidities and temperatures between 60 and 80 degrees F. Some PM susceptible varieties include Jonathan, Rome Beauty, Cortland, and Ida Red. Apple Scab – no infections since the 3-inch rain we had over a week ago. Brown Rot sprays go on at open bloom of stone fruits. Peaches are in full bloom on the Ridge.   Insects Many of you have applied pink sprays if needed to control Rosy Apple Aphids, Spotted Tentiform Leafminer and OBLR. Check your orchards to determine if these pests are present. Just a reminder that Codling Moth Mating Disruption products should go on at bloom. Peach Ridge Orchard Supply has the large plastic bread clips for getting the twist ties dispensers on the tree. Remember, you have to get the dispensers into the top 2 feet of the canopy to be optimally effective. If you have any questions please call me at 616-490-1079. I will update this report by Thursday or earlier with a rain event. This is the end of the report.