Rhode Island Apple IPM
May 3, 2011: Recorded Apple Pest Message in Print

Hi Fruit Growers,
The next RIFGA twilight meeting is Thursday, May 19 at 5:30 at Narrow
Lane Orchard, 213 Narrow Lane, North Kingstown, RI. Stephen & Sharon
Grenier have apples, peaches, nectarines, blueberries and
blackberries. You will enjoy seeing their farm!

After the farm tour we will go to Schartner's Bald Hill building on
Route 102 in North Kingstown for the indoor portion of our meeting -
just like we did for the 2010 April twilight meeting. We will have
sandwiches and hear pest and cultural information from Jon Clements,
Wes Autio and Dan Coolley from UMass, and from me. Two hours of
pesticide recertification credits are available. The meeting costs $20
per learning individual - but is FREE to RIFGA members! You can pay
your dues ($40) at the meeting.

I spent a few hours looking for winter moth caterpillars in the
Greenville area yesterday. I found evidence of winter moth at all
orchards I looked, either in apple trees or in surrounding maple and
oak trees. I'm happy to say I did not find any large populations of
winter moths. I do think most growers should apply an insecticide next
year at green tip to protect against winter moth infestations.

McIntosh are in early bloom in the Greenville area, pushing this
season ahead of 'normal'. The extended forecast doesn't look like
we'll have a nice, quick, dry bloom. I hope your trees are well
protected with fungicide by 5/3 as we head into more unsettled weather
for 5/4 and 5/5.

Heather