Southeast Michigan fruit update - August 17, 2023
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EmailPeak peach harvest, apple harvest is getting started, and spotted lanternfly traps are set up.
Welcome to the 18th in-season fruit article update for southeast Michigan for the 2023 season. With apple harvest imminent and most pest and disease intervention finished these updates will be less frequent through the fall. Throughout the season these updates will include information about the weather in the past week and the upcoming week, a fruit-by-fruit guide to current conditions with appropriate pest and disease updates, and other relevant observations.
General observations
We are coming out of a short period of heavier rains but we expect a clear and dry week upcoming. While much of our region remains in a state of “abnormally dry” conditions according to the U.S. Drought Monitor, some areas are back in the normal range and the whole region has above normal soil moisture in present conditions.
Growers are moving through peach harvest, with Redhaven continuing and late harvest cultivars coming to ripeness soon. Many blueberry u-picks are wrapping up while some raspberry u-picks remain open. Paula Reds are being harvested in warmer parts of the region and Premier Honeycrisp is expected in the next few days in our warmest areas.
Based on the RimPro models at the Romeo station, for which you can see you an overview by following the link, we will see continued risk for apple powdery mildew. The similar weather patterns we’ve seen the last couple weeks and expect to continue will bring about similar disease patterns.
Apple maggot, brown marmorated stink bug and spotted wing Drosophila have been caught in the region. Spotted wing Drosophila counts are rising, so bramble growers should still be treating if possible with their pre-harvest intervals. Here is a collection of spotted wing Drosophila factsheets that MSU Extension has put out. Among the collection of videos and factsheets is this video on insecticides for spotted wing Drosophila control. Brown marmorated stink bug numbers are also climbing. A good way to prepare for it this season is to read this management factsheet for brown marmorated stink bug in Michigan.
Our Southern Michigan Fruit IPM weekly meetings wrapped up at the end of June. The back catalog of the weekly fruit meetings for southern Michigan can be seen on MSU’s Kaltura Mediaspace.
Fruit-by-fruit conditions
Apples: McIntosh harvest is expected the week of September 6 in warmer parts of the region. Apple maggot has been caught in the region as well as codling moth second flight. Brown marmorated stink bug populations are climbing, with numbers ranging from 0 to 5 adults depending on the site. Paula Reds are being harvested in southern parts of the region with Premier Honeycrisp likely starting in the next week.
Blueberries: U-pick blueberry harvest is mostly wrapped up, but continues in some spots.
Brambles: Some summer red raspberry patches have ended harvest and been mowed down, though harvest continues in other places. Blackberry harvest also continues. Growers should continue to protect plants from spotted wing Drosophila.
Cherries: Sweet and most tart cherries are harvested.
Grapes: We are seeing color change in some varieties, like Marquette and Frontenac. From this point the berries will start to ripen and sugars will increase. This can be measured in the field with a refractometer.
Strawberries: Most growers have wrapped up harvest. Renovation should start as soon as harvest is finished.
Peaches and nectarines: Redhaven harvest continues. Late harvest cultivars should be ready in the next week or so.
Pears: Both Asian and European pear fruits continue to size up.
Plums: Golden plums are being harvested, most European plums will be ready in the next few weeks.
Disease conditions
Apple black rot has been seen in the region. Fruits with this condition will often ripen well ahead of healthy fruit and can be a source of spores to infect other fruit. These fruits should be removed from the orchard.
Apple powdery mildew has been seen in the region, and the RimPro model indicates that we are entering another period of high infection risk. Here is a link for a 2010 article on what to do with current apple powdery mildew infection. As always with older articles cross check the recommendations for chemicals with the current E-154 guide.
Apple scab has been reported in the region in susceptible cultivars and locations. We are past the primary scab infection window. If scab is present in your orchard you may need to spray to prevent secondary infections.
Fire blight strikes have been seen in the region, especially in areas with recurring infections and areas that experienced physical damage. For shoot blight, strikes should be pruned out with cuts 12-18 inches below visible damage and instruments should be sanitized between cuts. Here is some practical management information from Washington State Extension.Some unique fire blight symptoms have been showing up in cider apples like Dabinett, where leaf margins also get a burnt look.
Grape powdery mildew infections. We have the potential for some grape powdery mildew infections this week.
Pear rust is primarily controlled by separation of juniper species from pear plantings (much like cedar apple rust). Symptoms appear on pears in summer, but most control needs to happen early in the season when galls appear on junipers (around May).
Peach rusty spot has been seen in the region.
Scouts are seeing sooty blotch in the centers of trees with large canopies, but not in high-density orchards with good spray penetration.
Insect conditions
In tree fruit, we are at the point of controlling summer pests like spotted wing Drosophila, brown marmorated stink bug and apple maggot. The E-154 guide can be purchased here: https://shop.msu.edu/products/bulletin-e0154.
Apple maggot: Scouts have seen these around the region. Areas that usually have high pressure are seeing high counts, but numbers are lower than last week with 0 to 2maggots being found on most traps.
Brown marmorated stink bug: We are seeing small, though rising, numbers of brown marmorated stink bug (0 to 5 per trap), which is expected to climb as we get closer to harvest. Early control is key here because they will continue to be a pest up until harvest when sprays are not possible because of pre-harvest intervals.
Codling moth: Numbers are mostly down with catches in the teens. Many people of put their final covers on for this pest.
Grape berry moth: We should be a little past the start of the third generation. Second and third generation control are most effective at reducing infestations during harvest.
Oriental fruit moth: Catches are down.
Spotted Lanternfly: We haven't had new reports yet this year of spotted lanternfly in the state outside of the last year's infestation site. I set up some traps this week and last week and I have been monitoring orchard sites all summer.
Spotted wing drosophila: Scouts in southeast Michigan caught some spotted wing Drosophila in grapes and raspberries. Numbers are climbing, with catches in traps as high as 9 each week. spotted wing Drosophila infestations can still be present when catches are low and the damage from spotted wing Drosophila can be extensive enough that for many growers it makes sense to treat susceptible crops even if there are low counts in traps. Familiarize yourself with information on our spotted wing Drosophila factsheets page. Among the collection of videos and factsheets is this video on insecticides for spotted wing Drosophila control.
Woolly apple aphid: Many growers have got these under control this season, though they remain heavy in hot spots.
Seasonal weather update
While we are coming out of a few days of rather heavy rains, the next week should be mostly clear and dry with highs in the upper 80s degrees Fahrenheit and lows in the 60s F.
Despite more consistent precipitation, much of the region remains in a state of “abnormally dry” conditions according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. MSU Extension has a collection of articles related to drought on its drought resources page.
| Liquid Precipitation Accumulation Mar. 1 - August 15, 2023, issued August 15, 2023 | ||||
| Station (County) | Rainfall Total (in.) Current | Hours with Rainfall Current | Rainfall Total Average (5 Yr.) | Hours with Rainfall Average (5 Yr.) |
| Commerce (Oakland) | 18.7 | 308 | 16.8 | 267 |
| Deerfield (Monroe) | 15.8 | 252 | 16.0 | 259 |
| East Lansing MSU Hort (Ingham) | 17.4 | 273 | 16.0 | 255 |
| Emmett (St. Clair) | 22.7 | 329 | 14.9 | 284 |
| Flint (Genesee) | 18.6 | 282 | 15.4 | 260 |
| Freeland (Saginaw) | . | . | . | . |
| Hudson (Lenawee) | 16.5 | 248 | 17.0 | 275 |
| Ithaca (Gratiot) | 16.7 | 244 | 15.0 | 239 |
| Lapeer (Lapeer) | 17.7 | 240 | 14.6 | 252 |
| Linwood (Bay) | 16.8 | 254 | 14.7 | 248 |
| Pigeon (Huron) | 17.5 | 274 | 13.5 | 242 |
| Richville/Frankenmuth (Tuscola) | 17.2 | 254 | 14.8 | 231 |
| Sandusky (Sanilac) | 15.6 | 318.0 | 13.4 | 236 |
| Romeo (Macomb) | 19.6 | 277.5 | 15.8 | 249 |
| Average of stations in this region: | 17.7 | 273.3 | 15.2 | 253.5 |
| Difference in Liquid Precipitation Accumulation from Mar. 1 observed August 8 and August 15, 2023; issued August 15, 2023 | ||||||
| Station (County) | Rainfall Total (in.) August 8 | Rainfall Total (in.) August 15 | Difference from August 8-15 | Hours with Rainfall August 8 | Hours with Rainfall August 15 | Difference from August 8-15 |
| Commerce (Oakland) | 16.0 | 18.7 | 2.7 | 286 | 308 | 22.0 |
| Deerfield (Monroe) | 14.3 | 15.8 | 1.5 | 240 | 252 | 12.0 |
| East Lansing MSU Hort (Ingham) | 15.2 | 17.4 | 2.2 | 251 | 273 | 22.0 |
| Emmett (St. Clair) | 20.0 | 22.7 | 2.7 | 309 | 329 | 20.0 |
| Flint (Genesee) | 16.0 | 18.6 | 2.7 | 261 | 282 | 21.0 |
| Freeland (Saginaw) | . | . | . | . | . | . |
| Hudson (Lenawee) | 15.6 | 16.5 | 0.9 | 238 | 248 | 10.0 |
| Ithaca (Gratiot) | 14.9 | 16.7 | 1.8 | 224 | 244 | 20.0 |
| Lapeer (Lapeer) | 16.5 | 17.7 | 1.2 | 217 | 240 | 23.0 |
| Linwood (Bay) | 15.1 | 16.8 | 1.7 | 238 | 254 | 16.0 |
| Pigeon (Huron) | 16.8 | 17.5 | 0.7 | 259 | 274 | 15.0 |
| Richville/Frankenmuth (Tuscola) | 14.9 | 17.2 | 2.3 | 237 | 254 | 17.0 |
| Sandusky (Sanilac) | 15.1 | 15.6 | 0.5 | 299 | 318.0 | 19.0 |
| Romeo (Macomb) | 18.2 | 19.6 | 1.4 | 283 | 277.5 | -5.5 |
| Average of stations in this region: | 16.0 | 17.7 | 1.7 | 257.1 | 273.3 | 16.3 |
The medium range guidance calls for near to cooler than normal temperatures with near to above normal precipitation in the next couple weeks.
Our regional average growing degree day accumulation has fallen behind the 5-year average.
Read this Michigan State University Extension article to learn more about degree days: Understanding growing degree-days.
| Degree Day Accumulation Mar. 1 -August 15, 2023, Forecast from August 16-21, 2023; issued August 15, 2023 | |||||||||
| Station (County) | Degree Days Base 42 F Current | Degree Days Base 42 F Average (5 Yr.) | Degree Days Base 42 F Forecast | Degree Days Base 45 F Current | Degree Days Base 45 F Average (5 Yr.) | Degree Days Base 45 F Forecast | Degree Days Base 50 F Current | Degree Days Base 50 F Average (5 Yr.) | Degree Days Base 50 F Forecast |
| Commerce (Oakland) | 2671 | 2874 | 2843 | 2303 | 2506 | 2456 | 1742 | 1935 | 1866 |
| Deerfield (Monroe) | 2889 | 3097 | 3059 | 2506 | 2710 | 2658 | 1921 | 2116 | 2044 |
| East Lansing MSU Hort (Ingham) | 2777 | 2920 | 2947 | 2404 | 2547 | 2556 | 1837 | 1968 | 1959 |
| Emmett (St. Clair) | 2502 | 2731 | 2664 | 2137 | 2369 | 2282 | 1585 | 2812 | 1699 |
| Flint (Genesee) | 2863 | 3041 | 3036 | 2484 | 2665 | 2639 | 1906 | 2080 | 2030 |
| Freeland (Saginaw) | 2686 | 2836 | 2852 | 2318 | 2472 | 2466 | 1758 | 1907 | 1876 |
| Hudson (Lenawee) | 2774 | 2934 | 2944 | 2401 | 2561 | 2553 | 1833 | 1983 | 1955 |
| Ithaca (Gratiot) | 2859 | 2921 | 3030 | 2484 | 2553 | 2638 | 1906 | 1979 | 2029 |
| Lapeer (Lapeer) | 2634 | 2816 | 2799 | 2267 | 2450 | 2414 | 1712 | 1885 | 1829 |
| Linwood (Bay) | 2527 | 2707 | 2689 | 2165 | 2348 | 2309 | 1616 | 1795 | 1730 |
| Pigeon (Huron) | 2602 | 2678 | 2773 | 2242 | 2325 | 2396 | 1692 | 1780 | 1816 |
| Richville/Frankenmuth (Tuscola) | 2801 | 2910 | 2966 | 2425 | 2541 | 2572 | 1852 | 1969 | 1968 |
| Sandusky (Sanilac) | 2617 | 2724 | 2780 | 2254 | 2368 | 2399 | 1698 | 1818 | 1813 |
| Romeo (Macomb) | 2726 | 2952 | 2898 | 2354 | 2580 | 2507 | 1781 | 2005 | 1904 |
| Average of stations in this region: | 2709 | 2867 | 2877 | 2339 | 2500 | 2489 | 1774 | 2002 | 1894 |
| Difference in Degree Day Accumulation from Mar. 1 observed August 8, and August 15, 2023; issued August 15, 2023 | |||||||||
| Station (County) | Degree Days Base 42 F August 8 | Degree Days Base 42 F August 15 | Degree Days Base 42 F Difference | Degree Days Base 45 F August 8 | Degree Days Base 45 F August 15 | Degree Days Base 45 F Difference | Degree Days Base 50 F August 8 | Degree Days Base 50 F August 15 | Degree Days Base 50 F Difference |
| Commerce (Oakland) | 2486 | 2671 | 185.0 | 2138 | 2303 | 165.0 | 1612 | 1742 | 130.0 |
| Deerfield (Monroe) | 2687 | 2889 | 202.0 | 2324 | 2506 | 182.0 | 1775 | 1921 | 146.0 |
| East Lansing MSU Hort (Ingham) | 2591 | 2777 | 186.0 | 2240 | 2404 | 164.0 | 1707 | 1837 | 130.0 |
| Emmett (St. Clair) | 2327 | 2502 | 175.0 | 1983 | 2137 | 154.0 | 1466 | 1585 | 119.0 |
| Flint (Genesee) | 2670 | 2863 | 193.0 | 2312 | 2484 | 172.0 | 1768 | 1906 | 138.0 |
| Freeland (Saginaw) | 2504 | 2686 | 182.0 | 2156 | 2318 | 162.0 | 1632 | 1758 | 126.0 |
| Hudson (Lenawee) | 2583 | 2774 | 191.0 | 2231 | 2401 | 170.0 | 1698 | 1833 | 135.0 |
| Ithaca (Gratiot) | 2677 | 2859 | 182.0 | 2323 | 2484 | 161.0 | 1779 | 1906 | 127.0 |
| Lapeer (Lapeer) | 2452 | 2634 | 182.0 | 2106 | 2267 | 161.0 | 1586 | 1712 | 126.0 |
| Linwood (Bay) | 2355 | 2527 | 172.0 | 2014 | 2165 | 151.0 | 1500 | 1616 | 116.0 |
| Pigeon (Huron) | 2415 | 2602 | 187.0 | 2076 | 2242 | 166.0 | 1561 | 1692 | 131.0 |
| Richville/Frankenmuth (Tuscola) | 2619 | 2801 | 182.0 | 2265 | 2425 | 160.0 | 1726 | 1852 | 126.0 |
| Sandusky (Sanilac) | 2430 | 2617 | 187.0 | 2088 | 2254 | 166.0 | 1567 | 1698 | 131.0 |
| Romeo (Macomb) | 2534 | 2726 | 192.0 | 2183 | 2354 | 171.0 | 1644 | 1781 | 137.0 |
| Average of stations in this region: | 2524 | 2709 | 186 | 2174 | 2339 | 165 | 1644 | 1774 | 130 |
Watch Jeff Andresen's biweekly agricultural weather forecast reports.
More information and reports on normal weather conditions and departures from normal can be found on the NOAA Climate Prediction Center website, NOAA U.S. Climate Normals website, NOAA Climate Normals Quick Access Page (which may be searched by region), and Midwest Regional Climate Center website.
