Orchard Outlook Newsletter Vol. 26, No 11

Tuesday, June 23, 2026

This week’s Orchard Outlook shows symptoms of this year's scab and powdery mildew pressure, while also turning attention to summer diseases as you consider extending fungicide spray intervals. Caution is warranted because fungicide residues can be significantly reduced after 50–60 mm of rainfall, and stretching spray programs too far may create opportunities for summer diseases such as flyspeck to establish. With heightened vigilance around the appearance of fire blight blossom blight symptoms, we are also seeing similar-looking issues, including Pseudomonas blossom blast. In addition, reports of tree decline in the field are discussed, along with our current thoughts on possible causes. On a positive note, last year’s newly planted trees are showing exceptional growth - a welcome highlight this season! As always, thank you to the Orchard Outlook Committee for their continued dedication and contributions.




Table of Contents:


Weather
  • 2026 Degree Day Accumulations
  • Apple Buds
  • Frost Symptoms
  • Apple - Scab
  • Apple - Powdery Mildew
  • Fire Blight Infection Management
  • Apple and Pear - Pseudomonas Blossom Blast
  • Apple - Fire Blight Blossom Blight
  • Apple - Black Rot
  • Apple - Brooks Spot
  • Apple - Flyspeck and Sooty Blotch
  • Apple and Pear - Codling Moth
  • Apple - Sucking Insects
  • Scale Crawlers
  • Pear Insects

Crop Load

  • Apple Crop Load
  • Pear Hand Thinning
  • Peach Hand Thinning
  • Tree Decline
  • Solstice Reminders
  • Nutrition
  • Suckers
  • Mowing
  • Pruning and Training
  • Weed Management
  • Nursery Trees
  • Cover Crops
  • Summer Hedging

Pest Management Guide



  

Weather


2026 Degree Day Accumulations

The cumulative degree days are ahead of the 10-year average and close to the 5-year average (Figure 1).  The 5-year average represents warm growing seasons on record so this year would also be considered a warm growing season.


Figure 1: Heating degree day accumulations for plant (above 5°C) and insect (above 10°C) development from March 1 to June 22 for the past 17 seasons. Provided by Harrison Wright (AAFC Plant Physiology).
  • Approximately 1% less plant development heat units compared to the 5-year average, and 6% more compared to the 10-year average.
  • Approximately 5% less plant development heat units compared to 2025, and 6% less compared with 2024.
  • Approximately 2% less insect development heat units compared to the 5-year average, and 7% more compared to the 10-year average.




Bud Development


Apple Buds

An early region on Middle Dyke Road in the Kentville area is monitored to guide this newsletter. Yesterday on Monday the average diameter of ten king fruitlets on Idared was 25 mm and Honeycrisp was 24 mm. The chemical thinning window has closed. Idared now has 11-12 fully expanded leaves (+2 leaves), Honeycrisp 9-10 fully expanded leaves (+2 leaves), and Ambrosia 8-9 fully expanded leaves (+ 2 leaves).

Growth on young trees appears to be progressing better than usual, which is a nice surprise following last year's drought.

Frost Symptoms

There are reports of some frost injury in low lying areas. This injury could be related to the cold event that recorded -1.5°C to -2.0°C on April 28 during early growth or the -0.4°C on May 23 around bloom to petal fall. Our experience in 2018 showed that frost damage can show up in various ways such as discolouration, frost rings, or cracking (Figure 2).

Figure 2: These photos from 2018 show the various symptoms of frost injury. 

  

Diseases


Apple – Scab

Primary apple scab infection events are complete. There were a total of eight primary infection events observed in Kentville this season with the majority being classified as heavy infection potential. Microclimates throughout the valley might have observed different conditions due to variable rainfall. The most notable infection periods were on May 19 with a release of 37.4% of total seasonal ascospores and on May 25 with 17.5% release. Extensive scab infections are visible on untreated trees (Figure 3).

Where primary lesions are present, secondary infections have been occurring and will continue during wetting events of sufficient duration. The minimum wetting required for secondary infections is 3 hours less than the wetting required for primary infections.


Figure 3: There were indeed many opportunities for apple scab infections and extensive lesions are visible where coverage was inadequate. Photos taken on June 22, 2026.

Recommendations:

  • As of June 27 it will have been 2 weeks since the ascospores were depleted, according to model predictions. Before you consider lengthening spray intervals, take a close look at the leaf canopy in the orchard to determine your risk of secondary infections. Lesions develop on the surface of a leaf and they are velvety brown in appearance. Check cluster leaves for early infections and the mature leaves on terminal shoot growth for mid season infections. 
  • Monitor for extended or heavy periods of rainfall because most fungicide residues are washed off by a cumulative total of 50 to 60 mm of rain (2 to 2.5 inches). Summer diseases are a risk if spray programs are stretched to this limit.
  • Folpan/Follow should NOT be applied between tight cluster and 30 days after petal fall to avoid fruit russeting. If petal fall was on the first week of June, then you may consider using Folpan/Follow in the first week of July for this timeline to be satisfied.


Apple – Powdery Mildew


Powdery mildew infections can be expected when conditions are warm (10-25°C), humid and dry.

Figure 4: This year's new leaves with new infections on the underside of leaves that causes the leaf to crinkle and curl. The warm, dry and humid weather this year was conducive to infections.


Recommendations:

  • New powdery mildew infections have been extensive this year (Figure 4). Conditions were conducive to infection throughout June on new tissue growth. Trees are susceptible to powdery mildew infections for as long as new leaves are forming on growing shoots (until terminal bud set).
    • On large and mature bearing apple trees, the main economical concern is in protecting fruit against infection. Fruit infection causes stunting and russeting. However, fruit are only susceptible to infection during and shortly after bloom. The russet stretches as the fruit expands. In early June there were possible infection periods when fruit might have been susceptible. Fruit are no longer at risk of infection. 
    • Protection may continue on young plantings because severe infections can reduce shoot growth, which is most concerning for young, non-bearing orchards. Continuing protection this season will prevent infection of next year's buds (to protect next year's growth), and result in less carryover of inoculum to next year. Pay particular attention to susceptible and high-value varieties such as Honeycrisp and Gala. Product reapplication intervals can vary from 7-14 days.
  • There is industry resistance to group 11 products such as Flint so it should not be used for powdery mildew management. 
  • Do not use any products with powdery mildew activity more than two times consecutively to avoid resistance development. 


Fire Blight Infection Management


Updated June 23 at 3:15 PM: Erika Bent confirms finding symptoms of blossom blight infection this past Saturday on June 20. 

Recommendations:

  • Cut out infections when a period of 2 dry days are in the forecast. Leave prunings in orchard laneways to let dry thoroughly for several weeks. If cutting a whole tree consider letting it dry while attached to the trellis. Don’t make piles that will prevent the wood from drying. Do not work in trees when they are wet from dew.
  • As soon as you find fire blight infections, use an application of Apogee/Kudos (prohexadione calcium). Use a lower rate if trees have not filled their space or the full rate if tree growth is not an issue. The benefits of Apogee/Kudos:
    • Helps suppress the progression of infection to buy you time for cutting it out. 
    • Builds protection in nearby trees that may not yet be infected so that if infection were to occur, the spread would be already slowed. Where infections are numerous, apply prohexadione calcium to the entire block considering that ooze can infect at a distance of at least 0.8 km away.
    • Reportedly has the potential to reduce or prevent canker incidence on perennial wood.
  • To save time, it is not necessary to sterilize the tools often as long as all of your cuts are in fire blight areas and during dry weather. Several research studies have concluded a lack of benefit from sanitizing tools. Where there is a tradeoff because of limited labour, it is best to work quickly rather than to sanitize tools.
  • Do not break off branches with fire blight infections as you navigate the orchard. Research shows that the bacteria becomes systemic in the tree because branches are not adequately removed. There are then a high number of new infections and significantly more canker tissue and cankers on structural wood. 
  • Prune out fire blight infections on young trees in the current year, don't wait for winter.
  • Remove fire blight strikes at least 2-4 ft below active infections to remove the leading edge of the bacteria. The younger the tree, the deeper the cut. Being aggressive at the first sign of symptoms will help prevent the re-occurrence of symptoms and the need for continuous cutting back. Repeat tree inspections.
  • If you feel confident that you can monitor the formation of a canker on a stub cut for later removal, then a stub cut may be appropriate. A 4-inch stub cut causes a canker to form on the stub before reaching structural wood like the leader of the tree. However, do not forget to remove the stub because otherwise the canker will serve as a source of bacteria. Mark the tree for revisiting.


Apple and Pear – Pseudomonas Blossom Blast

Fire blight is a serious disease that warrants quick management action and can have a major economic impact. So if you are unsure about the symptoms you observe, please let me know and I can take a look and if needed lab testing is also available. There are diseases and physiological processes that can mimic fire blight symptoms.

Similar to the year 2023, this year there have been some cases of collapsed apple blossoms that are NOT caused by fire blight. In 2023 the symptoms were confirmed to be caused by the bacteria Pseudomonas syringae and the infection is known as blossom blast (Figure 5, top)Our Plant Health Lab confirmed the infection in 2023 by growing the bacteria and confirming that it glows under UV light (Figure 5, bottom).

Infections tend to occur in low lying areas that experienced cold or freezing conditions during bloom. Ooze is never present for blossom blast infections and it is most likely to occur during cool and wet bloom periods. Blossom blast can also affect pear. 

The Pseudomonas blossom blast infections do not extend more than 5 cm into the spur. Prune the infections 15 cm below the symptoms and remove infected tissues from the orchard. The disease will not spread to new infection sites after bloom.

Figure 5: Top: Blossom blast infections on apple clusters caused by Pseudomonas observed in June, 2023. Bottom: Bacteria grown (left) and observed glowing under UV light (right). 


Apple – Fire Blight Blossom Blight

Bacteria multiply rapidly in warm temperatures, especially when occurring over consecutive days. The Maryblyt model criteria is used to predict blossom blight infections. Periods with high fire blight bacterial populations are defined by Maryblyt as having an Epiphytic Infection Potential (EIP) greater than 100 - representing 100% of the bacteria load needed to cause infection.


Blossom Blight Risk
  • Bacterial growth has been gradual under moderate temperatures. Periodic protection has been advised on newly planted trees in bloom through the blossom blight alert emails - when EIP values exceed the threshold.
  • EIP levels are low for the next few days and may approach the threshold again on Thursday, June 25 or Friday, June 26.
  • By the end of this week I will likely conclude industry-wide blossom blight alerts.
  • Contact me if you have questions about specific situations. As usual, this time of year becomes more difficult to generalize recommendations.


Apple – Black Rot

Recommendations:

    • Based on our limited knowledge, the highest risk of infections is theoretically between petal fall and 4-6 weeks later.
      • A 10 hr wetting period at 16°C to 32°C allows infection. 
      • The optimum temperature for infection is 20°C to 24°C. 
      • There are few management options to cover such a long risk period. Captan has activity but note the REI for orchard activities. Merivon has activity but this group 7 + 11 product should not be used more than 4 times each year. Folpan has activity but should not be applied until 30 days after petal fall to avoid russet. We do not have a model for black rot infection but protection would need to be targeted prior to wetting and ideal weather conditions.
    • The fruit cuticle is sensitive to damage at this stage. Be cautious with spray mixtures (calcium, foliar nutrients) that could create an entry point for the pathogen.

    Apple - Brooks Spot

    Brooks spot is caused by a fungus that creates sunken, dark green lesions on the fruit. It is a minor disease that has been an issue on Honeycrisp in the past. The symptoms of Brooks Spot can resemble lenticel breakdown and bitter pit which are also common on Honeycrisp. Include a product for cover sprays that is labelled for brooks spot such as Inspire Super or Aprovia Top (or Folpan 30 days after petal fall).

    Apple - Flyspeck and Sooty Blotch

    These summer diseases develop on the surface of the fruit in midsummer until harvest. They are caused by fungi that overwinter in dead twigs and the fungi tend to cause more infections under conditions of moderate temperature, high humidity and rainfall. Usually this disease is associated with lack of fungicide residues from long fungicide reapplication intervals. Include a product for cover sprays that is labelled for flyspeck and sooty blotch such as Captan, Maestro, Inspire Super, Aprovia Top, Cevya, Allegro, Pristine, and Merivon (or Folpan 30 days after petal fall). Summer diseases such as flyspeck are a risk if spray programs are stretched beyond the limit.



    Insects



    Apple and Pear: Codling Moth


    Degree Day and Treatment Timing Predictions
    We are very grateful for the regional biofix dates set by Erika Bent, APM. The biofix dates for this season are June 13 for most regions and June 15 for late regions.

    Suzanne Blatt, AAFC, has run the degree day model today to predict when degree day thresholds will be met for treatments. The models were run on Tuesday, June 23 with a degree day threshold of 10 degrees (C) using Kentville weather station data.

    Codling Moth Treatment with Rimon
    Timing: The treatment timing for Rimon is 80 degree days Celsius from biofix to target eggs before they hatch.

    Prediction: According to the current forecast, the 80 degree day threshold is expected to occur in early regions by June 24. Late regions are expected to reach the threshold on June 25.

    Codling Moth Treatment with Egg Hatch Products
    Products:
     Assail, Delegate, Intrepid, Altacor, and Exirel

    Timing: The treatment timing for egg hatch products is 100 degree days Celsius from biofix.
    Prediction: According to the current forecast, the 100 degree day threshold is expected to occur in early regions by June 26. Late regions are not yet included in the forecast.

    Codling Moth Treatment with Organophosphate
    Product:
     Imidan
    Caution: All hand thinning activities must be completed prior to application. No hand thinning can occur on trees treated with Imidan.
    Timing: Control of codling moth with Imidan is typically slightly later at 140 degree days after biofix.
    Prediction: Not yet forecast.

    Recommendations:

    • Monitor the forecast for rain and do not apply treatment before heavy rain. Codling moth lay eggs that hatch over a period of time. Late application may miss the first egg hatch and could result in a few codling moth entries but will still provide residual activity for future egg hatches.
    • If trap captures are below the treatment threshold but continue to build over time then treatment should be applied once a threshold is reached. When the time for apple maggot treatments arrives, the chemistries will also treat late codling moth.
    • The neonicotinoid insecticides (group 4 products) move into plant tissues over a period of about 24 hours. If it rains before the product is absorbed, the product on the surface is susceptible to wash off.
    • Imidan does not penetrate leaf tissue so it is a surface material that is susceptible to wash off under rainy conditions.


    Apple - Sucking Insects


    Aphids:
    Monitor for aphids in young trees and nursery plantings where feeding can disrupt shoot growth. If leaves are curling, high water volumes are needed for effectiveness. Green aphid will move back into orchards that were treated previously so continue to monitor. Assail also has activity on codling moth, apple maggot and leafhoppers. Be cognizant of REIs if installing trellis.

    Mites:
    • European red mite, two spotted spider mite and apple rust mite are the prominent species that affect apple trees. Although not directly damaging to the fruit, these mites in all their motile life stages can drain the nutrients from the trees and dramatically degrade fruit quality. 
      • Scout your orchards or check your scouting reports to see if there is a treatable population. Those growers with a consultant will receive the most accurate information because mite counts are done using a specialized machine for brushing and beneficial predators are noted as well. 
      • In a hot and dry year, mite populations can double in 7-10 days.
      • Good spray coverage is critical.
      • Mites have many generations per year and therefore have a high potential to develop resistance. For resistance management, it is critical to rotate miticide classes.
    • European red mite: 
      • Mid-June is the first sampling period. New eggs hatch in June and nymphs are present at a relatively uniform life stage. By mid-July there is an overlap of generations and all life stages (eggs, nymphs and adults) are present. 
      • If eggs are numerous then products with ovicidal activity should be used such as Nealta or Envidor.
      • If mites are motile/active then products with motile activity should be used such as Acramite, Magister, Nexter, Nealta, Envidor or Kanemite.
      • AgriMek and Minecto Pro are applied early for early absorption and they have long residual activity (8-12 weeks) to control motile stages after they hatch.
      • Envidor is slow acting so it requires early intervention. 
      • Acramite, Kanemite, Nealta, and Nexter provide quick knockdown.
    • Two-spotted spider mite: Are expected to be present in mid-June as well and may be included in the red mite count for threshold levels.
    • Rust mite: Typically present in mid-July. A microscope is needed for identification. Contact me for thresholds. All miticides are effective on European red mite and two-spotted spider mite but only products Nexter, Envidor, and Magister provide control of rust mite.

    Scale Crawlers

    • If you had scale last year at the packout then they should still be monitored even if an oil application was used in spring.  
    • The scale that are under a waxy coating at this time of year are the adults that are about to give birth to live young. Those live young are the crawlers that leave the waxy coating and become susceptible to insecticides. Typically the crawlers are active in July at about 4-6 weeks post-bloom and with the heat this year they could be on the move early. 
    • Monitor for activity by using traps that are made by using black electrical tape (with adhesive side out) around the scaffold limbs of trees, in areas with known infestations. Crawlers yellow bodies will be caught on the tape when they become active.
    • When the crawlers are active, Movento with a surfactant is one of the most effective products. The neonicotinoid products Assail/Aceta and Closer may also affect crawlers.

    Pear Insects

    • Pear Psylla: Refer to the management guide for product options.
    • Pear rust mite: Pear rust mite can go unnoticed until heavy russeting extending from the base to the top of the fruit. Growers that apply Agri-mek for pear psylla control would also obtain pear rust mite control. Nexter or Envidor would be other options for pear rust mite control.
    • Codling moth: Refer to the above information for apples.




    Crop Load


    Apple Crop Load

      Quick thoughts so far:
      • I haven't reviewed many sites yet, so I don't want to share detailed observations too soon. 
      • The majority of fruit drop has not occurred yet but the dying fruitlets within clusters are becoming more clear due to size differentiation and yellow stems. Dying fruitlets can be easily dislodged. 
      • What I have seen so far suggests a response to thinners and a good potential crop. The response is variable based on variety and if bloom coincided with good pollination conditions. As you assess, turn your attention away from fruit on the ground and instead look at the fruit on the tree and imagine what the crop will look like when the fruit enlarge and fill their space.
      • Remember that individual Honeycrisp trees in their 'off' year might have low fruit, which is not a consequence of the chemical thinners.

      Pear Hand Thinning

      • On mature trees, if the total crop load is high then reduce the number of fruit per cluster to 1 or 2. During years of light fruit set, leaving 2-3 fruit per cluster will still produce good sized fruit. Space clusters 12-15 cm apart.

      Peach Hand Thinning

        • Hand thin early-maturing varieties first for increasing the chances of fruit sizing.
        • Start thinning after natural drop is clear. 
        • Space fruit clusters about 15 cm apart.



        Horticulture


        Tree Decline

        • Decline has been observed so far in Gravenstein (G.41, B.9, M.9), Ambrosia (M.9, G.41), Honeycrisp (G.41, G.11), and Minneiska (M.26). It is primarily affecting young, bearing trees on dwarf and semi-dwarf rootstocks. These trees were exposed to the cold winter temperatures from the polar vortex in 2023. 
        • Internal browning (internal necrosis) has been found above, within, and below the graft union (Figure 6). This browning may indicate infection by wood decay fungi that colonized the tree following earlier injury, such as winter damage. The location of the browning around the graft union suggests that this area (often the most vulnerable part of the tree) may have been injured by cold temperatures. Symptoms of winter injury can vary considerably within a single block.
        • The causes of decline are still being investigated, but our theory is they are likely linked to recent extreme environmental conditions. Repeated stress events can weaken trees and allow wood decay fungi to overcome the tree's natural defences. Drought stress may have further limited the trees’ ability to heal.
        • Borer insects are attracted to these weakened trees and may also limit healing. Tree decline and borers were observed locally after the cold winter temperatures in the late 1990s.
        • Trees with previously weakened root systems or graft unions appear to be most susceptible. Decline is most commonly observed in areas with consistently wet soil conditions, which may have restricted the development of healthy roots.
        • Please report to Michelle if you have tree collapse to help us discern patterns and develop best practices for our local region.
        Figure 6: Symptoms of internal necrosis above the graft union that can suggest old injury from cold winter temperatures and the presence of wood rot fungi. Multiple stressful environmental conditions can lead the fungi to overcome the tree's defences.


        Solstice Reminders

        • Top dressing is not recommended after the end of June. Late release and uptake will prevent trees from hardening off before the winter. 
        • Around July the trees are storing reserves in the roots for next year’s growth. When they are storing reserves, late glyphosate applications can be damaging if taken up by root suckers and transported to the root system. Avoid the risk by avoiding glyphosate applications after the end of June.

        Nutrition


        Calcium:
        • The goal of foliar Ca sprays is to increase the concentration of Ca in the fruit and reduce the incidence of bitter bit. Begin calcium applications at 4 to 6 weeks after petal fall when fruit have reached the golfball stage at around 35 mm. Calcium applied at two-week intervals is better than occasional, high-rate applications. 
        • Ca has very low movement within the tree and needs to be applied directly to the fruit surface to be absorbed. Therefore, thorough coverage is important to cover developing fruit.
        • The recommended rate is 4.5 to 15.5 kg elemental calcium per ha (4 to 14 lbs of elemental calcium per acre) over an entire season spread over six to eight cover sprays. 
          • Low rates will not cause leaf burn but will likely lead to only minor control of bitter pit and likely will not enhance storage life of the fruit. 
          • High rates may lead to some leaf burn, give good control of bitter pit, and may also enhance storage life of the fruit.
          • Determine how much elemental calcium you would like to apply over a season and then work backwards to determine the required number of sprays. 
        • Calcium chloride flake (77% CaCl2) is the most economical Ca material to use but also the highest risk for foliar burn. Calcium chloride flake has a low risk of leaf burn when applied at the standard rate of 4.5 kg per 1000 L of water/ha (4 lbs/100 gal/ac).
          • Calcium chloride flake is 77% calcium chloride which is composed of one calcium and two chloride molecules. According to the weight of the molecules the calcium portion represents about 28% of the total weight. Therefore, our calcium chloride flake contains 28% elemental calcium.
          • For each spray at the standard rate of 4.5 kg per 1000 L/ha, the 28% portion that is elemental calcium is 1.3 kg/ha (1.1 lbs elemental calcium per acre).
          • The risk of leaf or fruit damage from calcium is highest in hot weather. Susceptible varieties can develop lenticel spotting if damaged. Target fast drying conditions for applications.
        • Risk of leaf injury may be enhanced by Captan. Incompatibility has been observed with Epsom salts, and liquid or emulsifiable pesticide formulations in some cases. Do not apply calcium with Apogee/Kudos. Note that nutrient product formulations with calcium may contain boron that would interact poorly with water soluble packaging.

        Suckers

        • Remove woody suckers by cutting or ripping to avoid resource competition, the risk of systemic herbicide uptake, harbouring pests like fire blight shoot blight.
        • If suckers are more prevalent because of exposed roots due to frost heaving, try to hill the soil to cover the roots.

        Mowing

        • Keeping the orchard floor cover mowed pre-bloom will minimize dandelion flowers that attract bees, which increases the safety of post-bloom insecticide applications.

        Pruning and Training

        • Select strong terminals on young trees and remove competing terminals to single the tops if there are no re-entry intervals active and before the shoots get woody.
        • Ensure that deer fencing is installed as soon as possible to protect new growth on young trees.
        • Newly planted trees should be pruned for tree structure and supported as early as possible after planting. Prioritize trees that are known to be brittle at the union, including many of the new Geneva rootstocks (G.11, G.41, G.16 etc).

        Weed Management

        • If you applied a residual herbicide about 6-8 weeks ago (end of April) then you are likely due for reapplication. 
          • For young trees (1-2 yrs), a good option could be Simazine and Dual II Magnum with Reglone for burndown. 
          • In established trees (>3 years), a good option is Alion and Ignite when conditions are dry and hot before an upcoming rain.
        • Lontrel is a great post-emergent for vetch, clovers, and sheep sorrel. Vetch is currently in bloom which is a key treatment period. Vetch is likely wrapped around tree trunks so first pull the vines from the trunk before treatment.
        • When burndown products are needed, consider that Reglone works in cool and cloudy conditions whereas Ignite requires warm and sunny conditions. Also, applying Ignite when leaves are wet is ineffective.
        • In young plantings, weed control is essential. Local research showed that by year 4, a weedy planting was 39% the trunk cross sectional area of a hoed comparison.
        • The following residual herbicides can persist longer than usual in extreme circumstances like drought: Authority, Chateau, and Alion.

        Nursery Trees

        • New trees have limited root systems and are likely to benefit from irrigation early during establishment.
        • Treat for tarnished plant bug and green aphids.
        • Remember the importance of weed control in nurseries. Management practices now will impact the outcome of the final tree. Encourage the growing point to be successful!

        Cover Crops

        • Perennia has a series of videos about cover crops that can be accessed from our website.
        • Summer grasses such as pearl millet and sorghum-sudangrass that have been a popular choice can be planted from mid-June until early August.

        Summer Hedging

        • A local study by Perennia in 2013 evaluated the regrowth on summer hedging using Ambrosia on M.9 and Gala. Results indicate that the last week of June = 6 to 21 cm of regrowth, first week of July = 4 to 12 cm of regrowth, and second week of July = 2 to 3 cm of regrowth. No regrowth is expected after terminal bud set around the first week of August although it was not included in the trial.



        Pest Management Guide

        We offer printable PDFs of the guides from our website:

        Online pest guides are also available without login (https://www.perennia.ca/pest-guides/) and with login on your Perennia account (https://www.farmdatatools.perennia.ca/).  Using the online tool you can filter for organic and conventional options, search for key information, and sort based on information of interest. 


        This Orchard Outlook has been published with the input of the Orchard Outlook Committee including this week's participants: Larry Lutz, Harrison Wright, Danny Davison, Joan Hebb, Ian Willick, Suzanne Blatt, Shawkat Ali, Jill MacDonald, Colin Hirtle, and Heather Rand.

        Written by Michelle Cortens, Tree Fruit Specialist
        Perennia Food and Agriculture Corp.

        Codling Moth: Degree Day and Treatment Timing Predictions (June 22, 2026 Update)

        Monday, June 22, 2026

        The codling moth biofix dates for this season are June 13 for most regions and June 15 for late regions determined by Erika Bent, APM. 

        Suzanne Blatt, AAFC, has run the degree day model today to predict when degree day thresholds will be met for treatments. The models were run on Monday, June 22 with a degree day threshold of 10 degrees (C) using Kentville weather station data.

        Codling Moth Treatment with Rimon
        Timing: The treatment timing for Rimon is 80 degree days Celsius from biofix to target eggs before they hatch.

        Prediction: According to the current forecast, the 80 degree day threshold is expected to occur in early regions by June 24. Late regions are expected to reach the threshold on June 25.

        Codling Moth Treatment with Egg Hatch Products
        Products:
         Assail, Delegate, Intrepid, Altacor, and Exirel

        Timing: The treatment timing for egg hatch products is 100 degree days Celsius from biofix.
        Prediction: According to the current forecast, the 100 degree day threshold is expected to occur in early regions by June 26. Late regions are not yet included in the forecast.

        Codling Moth Treatment with Organophosphate
        Product:
         Imidan
        Caution: All hand thinning activities must be completed prior to application. No hand thinning can occur on trees treated with Imidan.
        Timing: Control of codling moth with Imidan is typically slightly later at 140 degree days after biofix.
        Prediction: Not yet forecast.

        Recommendations:

        • Monitor the forecast for rain and do not apply treatment before heavy rain. Codling moth lay eggs that hatch over a period of time. Late application may miss the first egg hatch and could result in a few codling moth entries but will still provide residual activity for future egg hatches.
        • If trap captures are below the treatment threshold but continue to build over time then treatment should be applied once a threshold is reached.

        Codling Moth: Degree Day and Treatment Timing Predictions (June 18, 2026 Update)

        Thursday, June 18, 2026

        The codling moth biofix dates for this season are June 13 for most regions and June 15 for late regions determined by Erika Bent, APM. 

        Suzanne Blatt, AAFC, has run the degree day model today to predict when degree day thresholds will be met for treatments. The models were run on Thursday, June 18 with a degree day threshold of 10 degrees (C) using Kentville weather station data.

        Codling Moth Treatment with Rimon
        Timing: The treatment timing for Rimon is 80 degree days Celsius from biofix to target eggs before they hatch.

        Prediction: According to the current forecast, the 80 degree day threshold is expected to occur by June 23 for early regions. Late regions are not yet included in the forecast.

        Codling Moth Treatment with Egg Hatch Products
        Products:
         Assail, Delegate, Intrepid, Altacor, and Exirel

        Timing: The treatment timing for egg hatch products is 100 degree days Celsius from biofix.
        Prediction: Not yet forecast.

        Codling Moth Treatment with Organophosphate
        Product:
         Imidan
        Caution: All hand thinning activities must be completed prior to application. No hand thinning can occur on trees treated with Imidan.
        Timing: Control of codling moth with Imidan is typically slightly later at 140 degree days after biofix.
        Prediction: Not yet forecast.

        Recommendations:

        • Monitor the forecast for rain and do not apply treatment before heavy rain. Codling moth lay eggs that hatch over a period of time. Late application may miss the first egg hatch and could result in a few codling moth entries but will still provide residual activity for future egg hatches.
        • If trap captures are below the treatment threshold but continue to build over time then treatment should be applied once a threshold is reached.

        Orchard Outlook Newsletter Vol. 26, No 10

        Tuesday, June 16, 2026

        This week’s Orchard Outlook shows king fruit sizes around 11–17 mm, which means the optimal thinning window is wrapping up. There’s still a short opportunity for rescue thinning, but time is limited. You may start to see early signs of fire blight blossom infection, although nothing has been confirmed yet. We’ve also included an early estimate on codling moth treatment timing and a few notes on summer miticides. With the summer solstice approaching, remember cautions about nitrogen application and glyphosate use. Don’t forget to protect young trees—tie up leaders and take steps to keep deer out. For nurseries, it’s best to start irrigation sooner rather than later to avoid stress. Thanks, as always, to the Orchard Outlook Committee for their continued efforts.





        Table of Contents:


        Weather
        • 2026 Degree Day Accumulations
        • Precipitation
        • Apple Buds
        • Apple - Scab
        • Apple - Powdery Mildew
        • Fire Blight Prevention and Shoot Blight Management
        • Apple - Fire Blight Blossom Blight
        • Apple - Black Rot
        • Apple - Brooks Spot
        • Apple - Flyspeck and Sooty Blotch
        • Apple and Pear - Codling Moth
        • Apple - Sucking Insects
        • Pear Insects

        Thinning

        • Apple Fruit Set - Revisited
        • Apple - Rescue Fruitlet Thinning
        • Defruiting Young Trees
        • Pear Hand Thinning
        • Peach Hand Thinning
        • Solstice Reminders
        • Tree Decline
        • Suckers
        • Grafting
        • Mowing
        • Pruning and Training
        • Weed Management
        • Nursery Trees
        • Cover Crops

        Pest Management Guide



          

        Weather


        2026 Degree Day Accumulations

        The cumulative degree days have crept up again during the warm, double-digit nights (Figure 1). Harrison Wright says, "We are now well above the 10-year average and are sitting just below the 5-year average. Keep in mind that the last 5 years (2021 – 2025) are all amongst our top 10 warmest growing seasons on record (out of 112 years)."


        Figure 1: Heating degree day accumulations for plant (above 5°C) and insect (above 10°C) development from March 1 to June 15 for the past 17 seasons. Provided by Harrison Wright (AAFC Plant Physiology).
        • Approximately 2% less plant development heat units compared to the 5-year average, and 7% more compared to the 10-year average.
        • Approximately 5% less plant development heat units compared to 2025, and 4% less compared with 2024.
        • Approximately 2% less insect development heat units compared to the 5-year average, and 9% more compared to the 10-year average.

          Precipitation

          The past week was a dry week. Harrison Wright summarizes, "A dry week in which we only added an additional 2 mm of rain. While May, at 110 mm, trended well above the average (despite having a dry period in there), we are so far trending below the norm for June."




          Bud Development


          Apple Buds

          An early region on Middle Dyke Road in the Kentville area is monitored to guide this newsletter. Yesterday on Monday the average diameter of ten king fruitlets on Idared was 17.3 mm, Honeycrisp was 14.6 mm, and Ambrosia was 11.3 mm (Figure 2). In South Berwick at a thinning trial on Sunday, the Honeycrisp measured 13.2 mm and Gala 11.3 mm.

          Over the past week, Idared grew 1.1 mm/day, Honeycrisp grew 0.9 mm/day, and Ambrosia grew 0.7 mm/day. Typically fruitlets grow about 1 mm each day in average temperatures. Compared with last year, fruitlets are about 4 mm smaller so they are about 4 days behind.

          The results of chemical thinning are still under evaluation. Likely the only chemical thinning that may be possible now is rescue thinning. Refer to the thinning section later in the newsletter for more information.

          There are reports of some frost rings on pears in low lying areas. This injury could be related to the cold event that recorded -1.5°C to -2.0°C on April 28 or the -0.4°C on May 23 when pears were around the petal fall to early fruit sizing stage.

          Figure 2: Bud development in an early region on Middle Dyke Road in Kentville on June 15. Shown from left to right: Idared 17.3 mm, Honeycrisp 14.6 mm, and Ambrosia 11.3 mm.

          Current measurements of extension shoots indicate that Idared averages 30 cm (doubled), Honeycrisp 20 cm (doubled), and Ambrosia 15 cm (+5 cm) (Figure 3). Idared now has 9-10 fully expanded leaves (+2 leaves), Honeycrisp 7-8 fully expanded leaves (+2 leaves), and Ambrosia 7 fully expanded leaves (+ 2 leaves).

          Figure 3: Terminal shoot growth in an early region in Greenwich on June 15. Shown from left to right: Idared 30 cm, Honeycrisp 20 cm, and Ambrosia 15 cm.



            

          Diseases


          Apple – Scab


          Table 1: Apple scab infection events in Kentville from June 10 to June 16, based on the Modified Mills Table.

          - For a high inoculum orchard, a significant number of spores can be released during darkness, so begin calculating leaf wetting regardless of the time of day when the wetting event started. An orchard is considered to have a high inoculum load if last season it had 100 or more scabby leaves observed over 600 shoots.
          -Assuming a green tip date of April 19. Please use this as a guide because microclimates will cause conditions to vary on individual farms.
          Note: The environmental conditions for an infection are listed in the Modified Mills Table.


          Recommendations:

          • According to the model, total seasonal ascospores matured to 100% on Wednesday, June 10 and the wetting event on June 13 would have released the final primary spores. Models are not completely accurate so wait 2 weeks after ascospores are depleted and when you can assess your incidence of primary apple scab infections. Decisions about whether to lengthen fungicide intervals can be made on June 27.
          • Fungicide options can be limited this time of year... so let's review some options:
            • Captan may be used as long as it is not applied within 7-14 days of an oil such as Agral 90 (worse if applied after oil that preconditions leaves). The REI for hand thinning fruit in high-density systems is 15 days and in low-density systems it is 24 days. The product has activity on summer diseases and is ideal. For high density, do not use more than 10 applications per year and for low density do not use more than 2 applications per year. 
              • Remember, if using SHARDA CAPTAN 48 the rate equivalent to other captan products is 5 L/ha (2.4 kg of active ingredient).
            • Allegro/Vantana/Downforce may be applied as long as oil has not been applied within 3 days (including Fontelis and Agral 90). The REI is short at 24 hrs. 
            • Migiwa is registered for scab control and it has a short REI of 12 hours. Just be sure to use the high rate of 220 mL/ha so that the powdery mildew that is present isn't exposed to a sublethal dose at the low rate. We want to preserve this product efficacy for powdery mildew.
            • Do not apply: Folpan/Follow and Syllit should NOT be applied between tight cluster and 30 days after petal fall to avoid fruit russeting. 
            • Buran may be considered. But remember that the product is registered for only suppression of apple scab and must be used post-infection only. Summer disease control is not likely strong.
            • Note that single site products in group 3 are not expected to provide control of apple scab due to resistance. For other products, check the label for rates required for apple scab control because for Luna Tranquility the high rate is needed unless it is tank mixed with another product for scab control.
            • Several of the single site products do not have activity on scab after petal fall (fruit scab). Such products include Fullback, Nova, Cevya, Aprovia, Sercadis, Excalia, Scala, and Vangard.


          Apple – Powdery Mildew


          Powdery mildew infections can be expected when conditions are warm (10-25°C), humid and dry.

          Figure 4: Left: An overwintering flagshoot in the background was infected with powdery mildew last year and provides inoculum for infection this year on new leaves shown on the leaf being held in the foreground. Right: A closeup of white to silver-grey fungal growth on the underside of newer leaves that causes the leaf to crinkle and curl.


          Recommendations:

          • Individual apple leaves are most susceptible to powdery mildew infection when they are new and not yet fully expanded. Infections found in Figure 4 on Idared on new leaves #7 through #10 would suggest conditions were conducive to infection when those leaves were newly emerged at around June 2 to June 9.
          • Last year's drought conditions might have been conducive to powdery mildew infections that would have infected buds. An increased number of flagshoots carrying primary spores would increase the spore pressure this year.
          • Protection may continue on young plantings because severe infections can reduce shoot growth, which is most concerning for young, non-bearing orchards. Pay particular attention to susceptible and high-value varieties such as Honeycrisp and Gala. Product reapplication intervals can vary from 7-14 days.
          • Do not use any products with powdery mildew activity more than two times consecutively to avoid resistance development. 


          Fire Blight Prevention and Shoot Blight Management


          Recommendations:

          • If a blossom blight infection occurred on May 20, the symptoms may be visible now according to the model, but I do not yet have confirmed reports. A blossom blight infection occurring around June 6 to June 10 may become visible by June 17 to June 20. 
          • Pruning practices should be done on dry and sunny days, especially in high risk blocks. Wounds can take about 2 days to heal. Do not work in trees when they are wet from dew.
          • A second application of Apogee/Kudos is made around 14-21 days after the first. Successive applications ensure no gap in activity until you can assess blossom blight infection pressure. 
          • As soon as you find fire blight infections, an application of Apogee/Kudos (prohexadione calcium) can help to suppress the progression of infection that buys you time for cutting it out. Use a lower rate if trees have not filled their space or the full rate if tree growth is not an issue.
          • Do not break off branches with fire blight infections as you navigate the orchard. Research shows that the bacteria becomes systemic in the tree because branches are not adequately removed. There are then a high number of new infections and significantly more canker tissue and cankers on structural wood. 
          • Prune out fire blight infections on young trees in the current year, don't wait for winter.
          • Remove fire blight strikes at least 2-4 ft below active infections to remove the leading edge of the bacteria. The younger the tree, the deeper the cut. Being aggressive at the first sign of symptoms will help prevent the re-occurrence of symptoms and the need for continuous cutting back. Repeat tree inspections.
          • If you feel confident that you can monitor the formation of a canker on a stub cut for later removal, then a stub cut may be appropriate. A 4-inch stub cut causes a canker to form on the stub before reaching structural wood like the leader of the tree. However, do not forget to remove the stub because otherwise the canker will serve as a source of bacteria. Mark the tree for revisiting.


          Apple – Fire Blight Blossom Blight

          Bacteria multiply rapidly in warm temperatures, especially when occurring over consecutive days. The Maryblyt model criteria is used to predict blossom blight infections. Periods with high fire blight bacterial populations are defined by Maryblyt as having an Epiphytic Infection Potential (EIP) greater than 100 - representing 100% of the bacteria load needed to cause infection.


          Blossom Blight Risk
          • Bacterial growth on open flowers is increasing to near or above-threshold values in the current warmth. The risk is forecast to be high throughout this week. Refer to the blossom blight alert email from this morning for more details.

          Recommendations:

            • Do not spray high water volume on trees in bloom unless an antibiotic has been applied.
            • Do not underestimate the risk of infections on late flowers. By the time of late flowers there is already plenty of bacteria established throughout the environment.
            • If you would like to join the alert contact list, please let me know or sign up online
            • Ideally, you will monitor your own farm-specific situation with PomeBlight using a selected weather station. The user account and PomeBlight tool are free. Follow my 17-minute Quickstart video or Quickstart PDF document.
            • Contact me if you have ANY questions!


            Apple – Black Rot

            Recommendations:

              • Based on our limited knowledge, the highest risk of infections is theoretically between petal fall and 4-6 weeks later.
                • A 10 hr wetting period at 16°C to 32°C allows infection. 
                • The optimum temperature for infection is 20°C to 24°C. 
                • There are few management options to cover such a long risk period. Captan has activity but note the REI for orchard activities. Merivon has activity but this group 7 + 11 product should not be used more than 4 times each year. Folpan has activity but should not be applied until 30 days after petal fall to avoid russet. We do not have a model for black rot infection but protection would need to be targeted prior to wetting and ideal weather conditions.
              • The fruit cuticle is sensitive to damage at this stage. Be cautious with spray mixtures (calcium, foliar nutrients) that could create an entry point for the pathogen.

              Apple - Brooks Spot

              Brooks spot is caused by a fungus that creates sunken, dark green lesions on the fruit. It is a minor disease that has been an issue on Honeycrisp in the past. The symptoms of Brooks Spot can resemble lenticel breakdown and bitter pit which are also common on Honeycrisp. Include a product for cover sprays that is labelled for brooks spot such as Inspire Super or Aprovia Top (or Folpan 30 days after petal fall).

              Apple - Flyspeck and Sooty Blotch

              These summer diseases develop on the surface of the fruit in midsummer until harvest. They are caused by fungi that overwinter in dead twigs and the fungi tend to cause more infections under conditions of moderate temperature, high humidity and rainfall. Usually this disease is associated with lack of fungicide residues from long fungicide reapplication intervals. Include a product for cover sprays that is labelled for flyspeck and sooty blotch such as Captan, Maestro, Inspire Super, Aprovia Top, Cevya, Allegro, Pristine, and Merivon (or Folpan 30 days after petal fall). 



              Insects



              Apple and Pear: Codling Moth


              Degree Day and Treatment Timing Predictions
              We are very grateful for the regional biofix dates set by Erika Bent, APM. The biofix dates for this season are June 13 for most regions and June 15 for late regions. An even later region might be considered.

              Suzanne Blatt, AAFC, has run the degree day model today to predict when degree day thresholds will be met for treatments. The models were run on Tuesday, June 16 with a degree day threshold of 10 degrees (C) using Kentville weather station data.

              PREDICTION
              The forecast to the end of Sunday, June 21 is only 60 degree days Celsius. Stay tuned for updates and for treatment timing options see below.

              Codling Moth Treatment with Rimon
              Timing: The treatment timing for Rimon is 80 degree days Celsius from biofix to target eggs before they hatch.


              Codling Moth Treatment with Egg Hatch Products
              Products:
               Assail, Delegate, Intrepid, Altacor, and Exirel

              Timing: The treatment timing for egg hatch products is 100 degree days Celsius from biofix.

              Codling Moth Treatment with Organophosphate
              Product:
               Imidan
              Caution: All hand thinning activities must be completed prior to application. No hand thinning can occur on trees treated with Imidan.
              Timing: Control of codling moth with Imidan is typically slightly later at 140 degree days after biofix.



              Apple - Sucking Insects

              • Aphids: Monitor in young trees and nursery plantings where feeding can disrupt shoot growth. If leaves are curling high water volumes are needed for effectiveness.
              • Mites: European red mite, two spotted spider mite and apple rust mite are the prominent species that affect apple trees. Although not directly damaging to the fruit, these mites in all their motile life stages can drain the nutrients from the trees and dramatically degrade fruit quality. 
                • Mite counts are most accurate by using a specialized machine for brushing. Growers without a crop consultant can use the process of determining the presence or absence of mites on 5 leaves of 4 trees per block. The threshold depends on the sample time and number of leaves so contact me for more details.
                • In a hot and dry year, mite populations can double in 7-10 days.
                • Good spray coverage is critical.
                • Mites have many generations per year and therefore have a high potential to develop resistance. For resistance management, it is critical to rotate miticide classes.
                • European red mite: Red mite populations can increase and cause damage in the summer. 
                  • Mid-June is the first sampling period. New eggs hatch in June and nymphs are present at a relatively uniform life stage. By mid-July there is an overlap of generations and all life stages (eggs, nymphs and adults) are present. 
                  • If eggs are numerous then products with ovicidal activity should be used such as Nealta or Envidor.
                  • If mites are motile/active then products with motile activity should be used such as Acramite, Magister, Nexter, Nealta, Envidor or Kanemite.
                  • AgriMek and Minecto Pro are applied early for early absorption and they have long residual activity (8-12 weeks) to control motile stages after they hatch.
                  • Envidor is slow acting so it requires early intervention. 
                  • Acramite, Kanemite, Nealta, and Nexter provide quick knockdown.
                • Two-spotted spider mite: Are expected to be present in mid-June as well and may be included in the red mite count for threshold levels.
                • Rust mite: Typically present in mid-July. A microscope is needed for identification. Contact me for thresholds. All miticides are effective on European red mite and two-spotted spider mite but only products Nexter, Envidor, and Magister provide control of rust mite.

              Pear Insects

              • Pear Psylla: Refer to the management guide for product options.
              • Pear rust mite: Pear rust mite can go unnoticed until heavy russeting extending from the base to the top of the fruit. Growers that apply Agri-mek for pear psylla control would also obtain pear rust mite control. Nexter or Envidor would be other options for pear rust mite control.




              Thinning


              Apple Fruit Set - Revisited

              Assessing fruit set is a challenge every year. Let's revisit this year's main concerns to follow up with what was observed for: 1) variable flowering and pollination and 2) unpredictable bud strength.

              1) Variable flowering and pollination
              • Influenced by cold weather during pollination that extended the effective pollination period. There are concerns that there wasn't enough bee activity for good set or alternatively the long exposure to pollination could result in heavy set. Update: Generally more set than expected but variable.
              • Fruit on 1-year-old wood is excessive and developmentally behind the rest of the tree. Update: Certainly a prolonged bloom.
              • Missing kings make the lateral flowers stronger. Update: Yes, strong side fruitlets where applicable.

              2) Unpredictable bud strength 
              • Tree reserves influence bud health, not fruit set directly. Where trees appear healthy I'm inclined to think there is a good potential for fruit set. Update: Yes, fruit buds are still looking healthy.
              • Research would suggest that in the year following a drought, the June drop depends largely on weather during the thinning window, like business as usual. Update: Warm weather during thinning would have promoted thinning activity. Excess heat at or slightly above 29°C was observed in some but not all regions. This year's weather was warmer than usual during thinning but not as warm as what was observed in the year 2021.


              Figure 5: Left: Honeycrisp fruit set is variable but generally plentiful unless it is in an 'off' bearing year. Right: Gala fruit set is generally heavy, except maybe in regions that bloomed later during poor weather.


                

              Apple - Rescue Fruitlet Thinning

              Please note that the timing of chemical thinning is based on the average size of the king fruitlet and that all varieties are likely now beyond the typical thinning window of 7 to 12 mm. It is still early to assess thinners that were applied last week. The associated fruit drop is not yet apparent.

              Product Recommendations:

              • This week is likely a last-chance at thinning for most regions, known as rescue thinning.
              • Local research with Brevis suggests: 
                • Application can be made up to 14 mm king fruitlet diameter. Higher rates should be used at the late timing.
              • Local research with Accede suggests:
                • It may be applied to high value varieties at 15 to 18 mm and ideally before 20 mm. Earlier treatments are expected to be most effective.
                • Remember that you can adjust your spray pattern based on fruit set on the top versus bottom of the tree. Usually late in the thinning window the target is excess fruit set in the top of the tree so you may direct your spray.
                • In the past, temperatures above 30°C seemed to decrease activity of this product. The forecast this week looks reasonable for use of Accede.

              Defruiting Young Trees

              • Some of the fruit on young trees can be removed using a combination of Sevin XLR at 2.5 L plus Maxcel/Cilis Plus at 5.0 L per 1000 L of water applied using dilute nozzles to the point of drip. A few litres of oil (10.6 L/1000 L water) can also be added as a spreader sticker to this combination unless the variety is sensitive to oil (avoid Gala, Ambrosia, Golden Delicious, Red Delicious). 
                • This mixture should cover more than an acre of young trees. 
                • Apply from petal fall until 8-10 mm. A second application can be done before 18 mm if additional thinning is needed. A second application will likely still miss some fruit so consider the economics if hand thinning may still be required anyway.
              • Choosing to use Fruitone (NAA) in this mixture instead of MaxCel/Cilis Plus will likely result in chemical pinch at the terminal bud that stunts growth.

              Pear Hand Thinning

              • On mature trees, if the total crop load is high then reduce the number of fruit per cluster to 1 or 2. During years of light fruit set, leaving 2-3 fruit per cluster will still produce good sized fruit. Space clusters 12-15 cm apart.

              Peach Hand Thinning

                • Hand thin early-maturing varieties first for increasing the chances of fruit sizing.
                • Start thinning after natural drop is clear. 
                • Space fruit clusters about 15 cm apart.



                Horticulture


                Solstice Reminders

                • Top dressing is not recommended after the end of June. Late release and uptake will prevent trees from hardening off before the winter. 
                • Around July the trees are storing reserves in the roots for next year’s growth. When they are storing reserves, late glyphosate applications can be damaging if taken up by root suckers and transported to the root system. Avoid the risk by avoiding glyphosate applications after the end of June.

                Tree Decline

                • So far decline has been reported on Gravenstein G.41, Gravenstein B.9, Honeycrisp G.41, and Honeycrisp G.11.
                • The causes are being explored and most likely relate to extreme environmental conditions in recent history. Trees with root systems or graft unions that were already weakened are particularly susceptible.
                • Please report to Michelle if you have tree collapse to help us discern patterns and develop best practices for our local region.

                Suckers

                • Remove woody suckers by cutting or ripping to avoid resource competition, the risk of systemic herbicide uptake, harbouring pests like fire blight shoot blight.
                • If suckers are more prevalent because of exposed roots due to frost heaving, try to hill the soil to cover the roots.

                Mowing

                • Keeping the orchard floor cover mowed pre-bloom will minimize dandelion flowers that attract bees, which increases the safety of post-bloom insecticide applications.

                Pruning and Training

                • Select strong terminals on young trees and remove competing terminals to single the tops if there are no re-entry intervals active and before the shoots get woody.
                • Ensure that deer fencing is installed as soon as possible to protect new growth on young trees.
                • Newly planted trees should be pruned for tree structure and supported as early as possible after planting. Prioritize trees that are known to be brittle at the union, including many of the new Geneva rootstocks (G.11, G.41, G.16 etc).

                Weed Management

                • If you applied a residual herbicide about 6-8 weeks ago (end of April) then you are likely due for reapplication. 
                  • For young trees (1-2 yrs), a good option could be Simazine and Dual II Magnum with Reglone for burndown. 
                  • In established trees (>3 years), a good option is Alion and Ignite when conditions are dry and hot before an upcoming rain.
                • If using glyphosate alone, consider coarse droplets and low pressure to reduce drift. By the approaching summer solstice, glyphosate applications become more risky.
                • When burndown products are needed, consider that Reglone works in cool and cloudy conditions whereas Ignite requires warm and sunny conditions. Also, applying Ignite when leaves are wet is ineffective.
                • In young plantings, weed control is essential. Local research showed that by year 4, a weedy planting was 39% the trunk cross sectional area of a hoed comparison.
                • The following residual herbicides can persist longer than usual in extreme circumstances like drought: Authority, Chateau, and Alion.

                Nursery Trees

                • New trees have limited root systems and are likely to benefit from irrigation early during establishment.
                • Treat for tarnished plant bug and green aphids.
                • Remove rootstock leaves when they are tender and before shoots become woody. Single and tie tops.
                • For bench grafts, rootstock leaves have been stripped when the scion has 8-10 leaves. Early in the season, leave at least an extra scion leader for insurance.
                • Remember the importance of weed control in nurseries. Management practices now will impact the outcome of the final tree. Encourage the growing point to be successful!

                Cover Crops

                • Perennia has a series of videos about cover crops that can be accessed from our website.
                • Summer grasses such as pearl millet and sorghum-sudangrass that have been a popular choice can be planted from mid-June until early August.



                Pest Management Guide

                We offer printable PDFs of the guides from our website:

                Online pest guides are also available without login (https://www.perennia.ca/pest-guides/) and with login on your Perennia account (https://www.farmdatatools.perennia.ca/).  Using the online tool you can filter for organic and conventional options, search for key information, and sort based on information of interest. 


                This Orchard Outlook has been published with the input of the Orchard Outlook Committee including this week's participants: Larry Lutz, Danny Davison, Ian Willick, Joan Hebb, Heather Rand, Suzanne Blatt, and Colin Hirtle.

                Written by Michelle Cortens, Tree Fruit Specialist
                Perennia Food and Agriculture Corp.

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