Nearly all the flower petals have fallen from all varieties by now. We are past petal fall, but not many growers have applied a petal fall insecticide yet. This is a good thing. I have not seen any plum curculio damage, nor other significant insect damage yet. Be ready to apply an insecticide when the temperature is forecasted to be above 70 degrees. I expect many growers will spray Imidan later this week.

I did find European red mites in several orchards, including orchards where the grower thought he had applied an adequate oil spray. Check now for red mite nymphs on the underside of the oldest leaves. Generally if you missed controlling red mites, you’ll find many nymphs on the underside of fruit cluster leaves. Especially check cluster leaves that are very close to major scaffold limbs. This is closest to where the mite eggs overwintered and where the newly hatched mites walk to first. And speaking of mite eggs, I did see a few summer mite eggs today. If you need to spray for mites, it should be done soon before there are many summer eggs. Mites can be controlled now with Savey, Apollo or Zeal.

I have only seen two leafminer mines so far this season. Next week will be a better time to scout for this pest and decide if a treatment is needed.

I did find some apple scab lesions today – my first ones of the season. It is well worth your time now to scout for the olive-colored lesions. The lesions are usually found on the underside of leaves. Look on middle aged leaves of fruit clusters. If you find lesions, consider applying full rates of Sovran, Flint, Captan or Syllit.

We are still deep in primary apple scab season, so please keep your leaves and now fruit protected with a fungicide.

I hope to see many of you at the twilight meeting on Thursday, May 22, at Noquochoke Orchard in Westport, MA. If you have questions, call Kristen Dame or myself at 874-2967. Next message will be recorded Tuesday May 27.

Noquochoke Orchard
594 Drift. Rd., Westport, MA

To get Noquochoke Orchard from Providence:
Take I-195 East toward Cape Cod for 20.5 miles
Take Exit 10 to merge onto Route 88 South toward Horseneck Beach
Travel 5.3 miles then turn left onto Charlotte White Ext.
Drive .3 miles and then turn right onto Drift Road
Noquochoke Orchard is .4 miles in on Drift Road