FFF03-05

FFF is also available in text and PDF versions on the web at:
http://www.hort.purdue.edu/fff/fff.html

Crop conditions:  Cold and rain are the conditions across most of the
state.  Fruit crops are growing and sizing slowly due to the cold, but
the positive spin on this is that insect development is also slow.  In
northern parts of the state apple size is about 10 mm, with fruit over
1Ó diameter in the south.  Peach thinning is underway in southern
areas.

Apple Thinning:  In most areas of the state, the window for apple
thinning is rapidly closing.  With warmer temperatures forecast over
the next week, this is your last chance to reduce fruit numbers.
Although Sevin is reported to have thinning effect on apples up to 20
mm in diameter, as fruit size increases the effect is less.  If your
trees still have way too many apples on, including some Accel with the
Sevin spray would be a good idea.

IHC Summer Meeting:  The summer meeting of the Indiana Horticultural
Society will be held at Tuttle Orchards at Greenfield, IN on June
23-24, 2003.  This year marks a first Ðthe Indiana Farm Marketing
Association (IFMA) will join us for our meeting.  On the Tuesday
morning we have a session dedicated to the marketing of farm produce
(see agenda).

Tuttle Orchards was founded by Roy Tuttle, who was born on the farm in
1893.  He married Tillie Giroud in 1914 and in 1919 a daughter,
Virginia, was born. She helped her father plant the first apple tree in
1928. In 1941 Virginia married Raymond Roney, and in 1946 Tom was born
and his brother Mike in 1953.  Tom takes primary responsibility for the
orchard and cider operations while Mike manages the greenhouses and
cropland, which includes growing cantaloupes and sweet corn. He also
manages the market. Helen, MikeÕs wife, is responsible for school tours
in which approximately 6000 school children tour the farm every year
and makes caramel apples.

In the early 1970Õs, Roy noticed a branch on a Winesap tree that was
different from the rest of the tree. It was a mutation, and he watched
it for years, to determine its characteristics. It was later patented
and sold to Stark Brothers Nursery and is still sold by them today as
Stark Supreme Staymared.

Many growers in the state know Tom as an innovative and energetic
grower and marketer.  He has been very active in both the Hort Society
and in the Indiana Farm Market Association as well as many local and
state farm organizations.   Tom and Mike have made many changes since
the Society last visited 17 years ago such as new intensive apple
plantings on dwarf and semi-dwarf rootstocks, a state of the art
pesticide handling facility and the addition of a greenhouse operation.
For more information on Tuttle orchards, look at their website:
http://www.tuttleorchards.com

This should be an outstanding summer meeting with much to see and many
exciting marketing ideas to discuss.  Also, donÕt miss the opportunity
to compare notes with your fellow growers and marketers.

For more information look at: http://www.hort.purdue.edu/fruit

If you have questions please call Tom Roney 317-326-2278,  Peter Hirst
765-494-1323 or Dick Hayden 765-463-6587.


AGENDA

Monday, June 23 2003

4.00 pm	Registration

4.30 pm	Walking tour of greenhouse facilities and vegetable plantings

6.00 pm 	Cookout on the grounds (modest charge)

7.00 pm	Roundtable discussion


Tuesday, June 24 2003

8.00 am	Registration and coffee

8.45 am	Overview of farm and tour of facilities including cider
processing plant

9.45 am	Farm Marketing Session, including presentations by: _ Kathy
Altman, Office of the Indiana Commissioner of Agriculture _ Gary
Truitt, Truitt Communications on the IndianaFarmDirect.com project _ Dr
Liping Cai, Purdue Rural Tourism Resources and Information Programs
(Rural TRIP) _ Dr Ed Ashworth, head, Dept. of Horticulture and
Landscape Architecture

We will also have a tour and discussion of the year round market at
Tuttle Orchards.

12.00 pm	Lunch on the grounds (modest charge)

1.15 pm 	Indiana Hort. Society business meeting

1.45 pm	Tour of fruit plantings including: _ Intensive apple planting
designed for U-pick _ Semi-dwarf apple planting _ Purdue Entomology
research at Tuttle Orchard Ð Dr Rick Foster _ State of the art
pesticide handling facility

5.00 pm	Adjourn


MOTEL INFORMATION Listed purely as information, and not as a
recommendation

Motels in the Greenfield area All are located close to the S.R. 9 /
I-70 interchange.

Comfort Inn,  178 E. Martindale Drive, Greenfield IN 46140
	Phone: 317-467-9999 or 1-800-4CHOICE

Greenfield Dollar Inn,  2180 N. State Street, Greenfield, IN 46140
	Phone: 317-467-0065

Holiday Inn Express, 2070 N. State Street, Greenfield, IN 46140
	Phone: 317-467-0999,
	e-mail: lokelsey@aol.com
	http://www.hiexpress.com/greenfieldin

Lees Inn, 2270 N. State Street, Greenfield, IN 46140
	Phone:317-462-7112,
	e-mail: greenfield@leesinn.com
	http:// www.leesinn.com

Super 8 Motel - Greenfield
	2100 N. State Street, Greenfield, IN 46140
	Phone: 317-462-8899  or 1-800-800-8000
	http:// www.super8.com
	Numerous other motels are located on the east side of Indianapolis
close to the I-70 / Post Road interchange  and the I-465 / SR 67
interchange.


Indar and Topsin M Receive Section 18 Exemption for Use on Blueberries:
 EPA has granted Section 18 Exemptions for fenbuconazole (Indar) and
thiophanate methyl (Topsin M WSB) fungicides for use on blueberries in
Indiana for the 2003 growing season.  Indar 75WSP (fenbuconazole) is
used for the control of mummy berry disease.  The supplemental label
for the Section 18 exemption has been issued by Dow AgroSciences.  This
supplemental label must be in the possession of the user at the time of
application. Contact Dow Agrosciences,
(http://www.dowagro.com/label/index.htm ) for a copy of the label.

Topsin M is used for control of mummy berry disease, Botrytis blossom
blight, anthracnose fruit rot, Phomopsis twig blight and canker, and
Fusicoccum canker. The supplemental label for the Section 18 exemption
for Topsin was issued by Cerexagri (www.cerexagri.com) and must be in
possession of the user at the time of application.

If you have questions about section 18 exemptions for pesticides,
contact the Indiana State Chemist at 765- 494-1587. Copies of the
supplemental labels in printable PDF format are available on the
Midwest Small Fruit and Grape Spray Guide website at
www.hort.purdue.edu/hort/ext/sfg under ÒRecent UpdatesÓ link.
(Bordelon)

Intrepid, A New Pesticide for Grape Berry Moth:  Source: Roger Williams
and Kevin McClure, Department of Entomology, OARDC, Wooster. Ohio Fruit
ICM News Volume 7, No. 1 January 10, 2003

2002 was the worst year on record for the damage caused by the Grape
Berry Moth.  Thus, it is with great interest that a new compound has
just been released for this pest. The EPA has recently approved the use
of Intrepid for the control of Grape Berry Moth and several other
related insects that attack the vine.  However, there is great concern
among researchers that Sevin is losing its effectiveness against GBM.

New York entomologists have determined that indeed the Grape Berry Moth
is becoming resistant to Sevin, and we all fear that resistance may be
developing to Danitol.  So a warning: before you use Intrepid you need
to plan to alternate spray materials or we will shortly lose all our
weapons against Grape Berry Moth and other grape insects. Researchers
in Ohio and neighboring states have evaluated and confirmed that the
efficacy of Intrepid against Grape Berry Moth is superior.  It also
exhibits a long residual on the grapevine.

Intrepid 2F (methoxyfenozide) insecticide is a product of Dow
AgroSciences of Indianapolis.  This product should provide a needed
alternative to other products labeled for the Grape Berry Moth and help
to limit pest resistance when alternated with other compounds.  It is
to be applied at initiation of egg hatch.

At the recent Grape Berry Moth Summit the researchers from all the
states surrounding Lake Erie agreed that it was most effective when
used at the beginning of the 2nd generation and reapplied within 10-18
days to ensure complete coverage of fruits or foliage. There is a
pre-harvest interval of 30 days.  In other words, grapes are not to be
harvested within 30 days of the last application.  We are restricted to
no more than 16 fl oz/acre/application or 48 fl oz/acre/season of
Intrepid 2F.

Toxicity is as follows: Oral LD50 - mouse:  >5000 mg/kg; Dermal LD50 -
rat:  >2000mg/kg; Inhalation LC50 - rat:  0.9 mg/ l for 4 hr.  The oral
toxicity and the dermal toxicity are very favorable for mammals.
However, the inhalation toxicity is a little high.  Always use proper
protection when handling and spraying all pesticides.

Orange Rust: Blackberries and black raspberries across the state are
showing early stages of orange rust. Leaves appear misshapen and
yellowish, and shoots are often excessive elongated. The disease looks
somewhat like herbicide injury except that as it progresses, orange
pustules appear on the undersides of the leaves. This is a systemic
disease that cannot be cured. Well-timed applications of Nova 40W
(Immunox for the home grower) or the new strobilurin Cabrio 20EG can
prevent infection of uninfected plants. Fungicides should be applied on
a 10 to 14 day schedule until leaves on infected plants dry up and stop
producing the orange spores. This is usually around the first of July.
If possible, infected plants should be destroyed immediately to prevent
release of spores. If spores are being shed, then put a plastic trash
bag over the plant before removal to prevent widespread dissemination
of spores.  The fungus resides in the roots as well at the shoots, so
the plants must be rouged out completely. An easier way might be to use
a systemic herbicide such as glyphosate at a full rate to kill out
diseased plants. Refer to our two small fruit publications for a
complete discussion of managing this disease: Commercial Small Fruit
and Grape Spray Guide (http://www.hort.purdue.edu/hort/ext/sfg/) and
the Midwest Small Fruit Pest Management Handbook
(http://www.ag.ohio-state.edu/~sfgnet/).  (Bordelon)

New E-mail Groups Available for Indiana Growers:  Two mail groups have
been established for Indiana fruit and vegetable growers, winemakers,
farm markets, etc. as part of our Indiana Fruit and Vegetable web site.
The project is sponsored by the Purdue University Department of
Horticulture and Landscape Architecture and is partially funded by a
USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant through the Office of the Indiana
Commission of Agriculture. The ÒFruitvegÓ group is for all fruit and
vegetable growers, farm marketers, etc. in Indiana and surrounding
states.  The ÒWinegrapeÓ mail group is primarily for the Indiana wine
industry. Anyone can subscribe to either group.

 The mail groups have been established to allow Indiana fruit and
vegetable growers, wine grape growers and wineries, and farm marketers
to interact with each other electronically. We envision growers and
marketers using this forum for free and open exchange of information
and ideas. We also feel that the list can be used to coordinate group
purchases of equipment and supplies, and as a forum to buy and sell
produce and used equipment and supplies. However, we believe that
advertising by commercial vendors is not appropriate use of the mail
group. While we do not intend to moderate the list, we will keep an eye
on the activity. We will not allow personal vendettas, inflammatory
comments or other inappropriate use of the list. Any statements made do
not represent ÒofficialÓ opinions, and Purdue University takes no
responsibility for content.

 There are two ways to receive messages from the mail groups, as a list
or a digest. If you subscribe to the mailing list, each message that is
sent to the list will be forwarded to you as a separate e-mail message.
For example, if there are 5 messages sent to the list in one day, you
will receive 5 e-mails from the list that day. Subscribe to the mailing
list using this option if you want to receive messages as soon as they
are posted. If you subscribe to the mailing list digest, all messages
received by the list in one day will be combined into one e-mail
message and sent to you periodically. If there are 5 messages sent to
the list in one day, you will receive one e-mail containing all 5
messages. Subscribe to the mailing list using the digest option if you
prefer to receive fewer separate e-mail messages.

 To subscribe to the list, send a message to <majordomo@purdue.edu>
with the following
 command in the body of your email message:

    subscribe fruitveg
 or
    subscribe winegrape

 or if you prefer the digest option, send a message
to<majordomo@purdue.edu> with the following
 command in the body of your email message:

    subscribe fruitveg-digest
 or
    subscribe winegrape-digest

 You will receive a message back from majordomo requiring
authentication of your subscription. The process is quick and
self-explanatory. If you have any problems, let one of us know and
weÕll try to help.
				Fire Blight:  Growers, especially in southern Indiana, should be
walking their orchards NOW checking for fire blight (mid to late May is
generally when fire blight makes itself known in southern Indiana).
Look for new growth that appears wilted and crooked at the tip with
browning and wilting of leaves.  Efforts to limit secondary spread by
cutting out fire blight strikes are most successful if these strikes
can be removed immediately after they appear.  Cut out blighted twigs
10 to 12 inches below any sign of infection, being sure to sterilize
pruning tools between each cut.  If the infected shoot is associated
with the main trunk or a major scaffolding limb you may want to try the
Òugly stubÓ cut, deliberately leaving a naked 4 inch branch stub above
the supporting limb.  Marking the ugly stubs with flags or a bright
colored paint when the cuts are made can help in relocating them during
the winter pruning operation.  Maintain good control of sucking
insects, which are primary carriers for secondary spread of blight.
Special attention should be given to young trees and/or trees on M.9
and M.26 rootstocks or interstems.  If epidemic blossom blight is
present, with nearly every branch having a majority of the blossom
clusters affected, it is neither practical nor desirable to prune out
affected blossoms.  Extensive pruning of such fire blighted trees will
generally only result in spreading the disease and stimulate the growth
of even more new, susceptible tissue. (Pecknold)

Post-bloom Sprays for Fire Blight:  DO NOT bother spraying with
bactericides of any type (streptomycin and copper) AFTER petal fall.
There are no pesticides that will cure or prevent what is referred to
as the twig blight phase of fire blight.  Streptomycin and copper are
only effective for prevention of the blossom blight phase of fire
blight; therefore once bloom is over they pretty much are ineffective.
The ONE EXCEPTION to this Ð as you all know - is the use of
streptomycin after petal fall following hailstorm or heavy wind damage.
 This Òhail sprayÓ should be made within 18 to 24 hours after the start
of the storm, even if the foliage is not completely dry.  Also, it is
much too late to begin spraying with Apogee to help minimize fire
blight for this year (see the previous edition for information on
Apogee).  Secondly, DO NOT over fertilize or attempt any other cultural
practices that will stimulate plant growth.  Growers should use
management systems that promote early cessation of tree growth without
adversely affecting tree vigor.  Excess vigor is an important component
of orchard risk for fire blight. (Pecknold)

Stopping Spread of Apple Scab: About 9 to 17 days are required from the
time of infection by apple scab until the appearance of the
olive-green, velvety brown scab lesions.  Within the lesions secondary
spores (conidia) are produced throughout the summer months, by the
billions!  To make matters worse, fruit are at their maximum stage of
susceptibility from pink until about 3-4 weeks after petal-fall.  NOW
would be a good time to start checking for the first symptoms of scab.
The recommended course of action where scab lesions are present is:
apply a SI fungicide (Nova, Procure, or Rubigan) to minimize additional
leaf infections in combination with a FULL rate of Captan to provide
optimum control of fruit scab; OR, apply a strobilurin fungicide,
Sovran or Flint.  A reminder, the strobilurin fungicides are very prone
to the development of resistance, use sparingly, see label for further
information.  Obviously, the application of a strobilurin fungicide is
an excellent alternative for those growers who suspect possible SI
resistance in their orchard.  See the previous edition for further info
on SI resistance. (Pecknold)

Strawberry Disease Alert: Strawberry gray mold and leather rot are most
apt to occur under cool, wet, cloudy conditions.  Keep an eye on your
prevailing weather conditions and act (spray) accordingly.  Recent wet
conditions have resulted in high disease potential during the coming
month.  See ID-169, Ò 2003 Indiana Commercial Small Fruit & Grape Spray
Guide Ò, for further information on suggested fungicides for gray mold
and leather rot. (Pecknold)

Helen Irene Beasley passed away on Saturday, May 17 2003 after being
ill for a number of years. Irene was married to Milton Beasley, and
they both grew up in Indianapolis.  Despite both being city kids, they
established a farm in Danville in 1946.  Since they had little farming
background, they were helped by their neighbor who mentored them in
farming.  Initially they grew row crops and also had livestock and
chickens.  They then started growing canning tomatoes, which were a
widely grown crop in the Danville area in those days.  One year when
they had surplus tomatoes, Milton and Irene sold them on the roadside
and so began BeasleyÕs farm marketing.  Apple trees were planted and
the orchard expanded over the years.  Irene enjoyed picking vegetables,
and it would often take 2 people, half her age, to keep up with her.
Milton passed away in 1979.  Milton and Irene had 3 children, Shirley,
Sharon (dec.) and John. John and his wife Debbie currently run the farm
and they have been active in the Indiana Hort. Society and also the
Indiana Farm Market Association.  We extend our sympathies to the
Beasley family. (Hirst)