Facts for Fancy Fruit 96-01        
 February 27, 1996
 ****************************************************
 Facts for Fancy Fruit is a newsletter for commercial and advanced amateur fruit growers developed in the Purdue University Department of Horticulture with regular contributions from the specialists in the Departments of Entomology and Botany and Plant Pathology, and from other agents & specialists on campus.  If you have questions, or are are interested in receiving this newsletter electronically, contact Bruce Bordelon (bb@hort.purdue.edu).
 ****************************************************
 Inside:
Subscription Notice
Welcome to Randy Woodson
Tree Fruit Extension/Research Position to be Filled
1996 Spray Guides
Plant and Pest Diagnostic Laboratory
Grafting Wood
Fertilizing Fruit Trees
Herbicides for Fruit Crops
Equipment Maintenance
Pruning Grapes
Pruning Brambles
New Miticide Labeled
Coming Meetings

 Crop Conditions:  The 1995-96 winter brought below normal temperatures and above
  normal snowfall.  An early freeze in September across the northern half of the
  state caused damage and shortened the growing season by 2 to 3 weeks.  Some
  plants may not have hardened off well because of that damage.  Minimum
  temperatures in early February of -8 to -16ûF across the state were low enough
  that peach buds were killed in many areas.  It is too early to be if there will
  be a peach crop, however, and growers should keep a good watch as buds begin to
  swell over the next few weeks.  Apples and pears appear to be in good
  condition.  Tender varieties of grapes were injured in most areas, but more
  hardy types have a full compliment of live buds.  Blueberries and raspberries
  were not injured, but blackberries were damaged in some areas.  Remember that
  we will undoubtedly continue to see some lingering effects of the extreme cold
  received in January 1994.  How these effects are manifested will depend on the
  weather patterns of this coming spring.
 
 Subscription Notice:  Check the mailing label on this issue of Facts for Fancy
  Fruit.  If there is a Ò95Ó in the corner we have no record of your payment for
  1996, and you will not receive another issue of the newsletter.  If you wish to
  continue to receive this newsletter please send a check for $10.00 payable to
  Purdue University, to: ÔFacts for Fancy FruitÕ, Dawn Caldwell, 1165 Department
  of Horticulture, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN  47907-1165.  If you
  feel there is an error, please contact Dawn Caldwell at (765) 494-1298.  For
  those of that have been receiving the newsletter on a gratis basis, please
  write and justify your free subscription.  If you have e-mail and would like a
  copy sent electronically, send us your e-mail address and we will include you
  on our list.  
 
 News from Purdue:  
 
 Welcome to Randy Woodson:    William R. ÒRandyÓ Woodson has been named head of
  Purdue's Department  of Horticulture.  Woodson, a native of Fordyce, Ark.,
  joined the Purdue faculty in 1985. Since then, his research on the physiology
  of flowering plants has gained him worldwide attention in his field. He has
  published more than 60 journal articles on his research, and his research has
  been reported by many national media. Woodson's flower research was even
  mentioned by Jay Leno on NBC's  ÒTonight Show.Ó In 1994, Woodson was named
  Outstanding Researcher of the Year by the Purdue School of Agriculture. 
  Woodson succeeds Bruno Moser, who will remain at Purdue as the Extension
  Horticulturist in the commercial landscape and  nursery area.  In accepting the
  department head position Woodson said. ''We enjoy a highly motivated and
  productive faculty, involved with a range of activities, including landscape
  architecture, production horticulture, horticulture marketing and genetic
  engineering. I am excited about providing the leadership and vision necessary
  to ensure that the department of horticulture continues to be successful as we
  move into the 21st century.''  Many of you had a chance to meet Randy at the
  Indiana Horticultural Congress last month and know that he is eager to work
  with the Indiana fruit industry.  We welcome him to the position of Department
  Head and look forward to a ÔfruitfulÕ relationship.
 
 Tree Fruit Extension/Research Position to be Filled:  Purdue Dean of Agriculture
  Vic Lechtenberg and Extension Director Hank Wadsworth announced in January that
  Randy Woodson has been authorized to fill the tree fruit extension and research
  position in the Department of Horticulture which has been vacant for over a
  year.  That process is already under way. The search committee has been
  appointed, and a job description is being written.  Randy hopes that the
  position will be filled by the beginning of the fall semester.  The Indiana
  fruit industry should be commended for the support for this position, and
  involvement in convincing the administration of the importance of research and
  extension activities to the fruit industry.  Many of you worked very hard to
  see that this position would be filled, and, thanks to your dedication, it will
  be.  The Purdue Administration is aware that the Indiana Horticulture Society
  is a viable grower group that is interested in Purdue University.  The
  industryÕs generous grant and the initiation of a check-off fund will help
  support the activities of the position.
 
 1996 Spray Guides:  The revised 1996 Tree Fruit (ID-168) and Small Fruit and
  Grape (ID-169) Spray Guides are now available.  The new issues contain the
  latest pesticide label information available at printing time but, as always,
  you should read and follow the label directions.  Several changes have occurred
  this year and all commercial growers should have a copy of this yearÕs
  versions.  The spray guides will be available at the regional meetings, through
  your local Cooperative Extension office, or directly from Agricultural
  Communication Service, Media Distribution Center, 301 South 2nd Street,
  Lafayette, IN 47905-1092.  (765) 494-6794.
 
 Plant and Pest Diagnostic Laboratory:  Sleuthing Plant Problems - (Peggy
  Sellers, Director, Plant and Pest Diagnostic Laboratory) 
 The Plant and Pest Diagnostic Laboratory (P&PDL) at Purdue University is like a
  detective agency.  We have a team of people working together to build a case
  and make a conclusion based upon the sample and the information received with
  that sample.  In 
 1995, the P&PDL diagnosed more than 4,000 plant and pest problems that
  originated from Indiana and the Midwest.  We can identify insects and weeds,
  diagnose disease or noninfectious problems, and provide control recommendations
  on a case-by-case basis. 
 
 Purdue University is fortunate to have several detectives (diagnosticians)
  working together to provide diagnoses for you and our other clients.  Areas of
  diagnostic expertise include:  consumer and commercial horticulture, plant
  pathology, entomology, weed science, soil fertility, and turfgrass management. 
  In addition, we have a support staff of two computer/database management
  specialists.
 
 The Plant and Pest Diagnostic Laboratory provides this unique service for only
  $11 ($22 for samples originating outside of Indiana) for each sample submitted
  to the laboratory.  Additional fees may be assessed for virus testing ($25) and
  diagnoses requiring exceptional amounts of time and resources ($20 per hour,
  charged in 15 minute increments).
 
 An accurate diagnosis is dependent upon the sample submitted and the information
  included with the sample.  A good sample is one that is representative of the
  problem and shows the varying degrees of the symptoms. Dead plant tissue is of
  little help in diagnosis.  For weed identification, dig whole plant, including
  roots, stems, leaves, and flowers or seedheads.  For small weeds, press between
  cardboard.  For large bulky weeds, wrap only roots in plastic and the rest of
  the plant in newspaper, and mail in a crush-proof box.  For problem
  identification such as leaf spots, send whole leaves representing early and
  moderate stages of disease.  Press 5-6 leaves flat between heavy cardboard or
  paper and mail.  When submitting entire plants for diagnosis, dig plants from
  the soil, place roots and attached soil in plastic bag, secure bag to lower
  stem, leave foliage out of bag.  Do not add water.  Wrap the entire bundle in
  newspaper and mail in a crush-proof box.  Soft-bodied insects or other
  arthropods such as aphids, mites, thrips, caterpillars, and grubs, should be
  submitted in a small leak-proof bottle or vial of 70% alcohol (Rubbing or
  isopropyl alcohol)  Do not submit insects in water.  Hard-bodied insects such
  as flies, grasshoppers, wasps, and beetles can be submitted dry in a
  crush-proof container.  Place the dead specimens between layers of tissue or
  cotton in a pill box or other small container.  
 
 Like a detective's case, the clues and answers to the problem are often found in
  the details around the plant or pest.  Crucial information, such as the
  planting date, previous cropping history, soil type, fertilizers or chemicals
  applied, size of area affected, severity of the problem, number of insects
  found, and many other considerations often are the keys to unlocking the secret
  to a plant problem.  Sample submission forms are available from your local
  Cooperative Extension Office or from our office.  For more information please
  contact:
 
 Plant and Pest Diagnostic Lab
 Purdue University
 1155 LSPS
 West Lafayette, IN  47907-1155
 
 phone:  765-494-7071
 fax:    765-494-3958
 e-mail:  sellers@btny.purdue.edu
 URL:    http://www.ppdl.purdue.edu/ppdl/
 
 Grafting Wood:  If you need apple or pear grafting wood for new trees or for
  repairing mouse or rabbit damage, now is the time to collect it.  Trees are
  still dormant, but the time remaining for collecting good scion wood is short. 
  Remember that scion wood should be  stored at 32¡F and wrapped in moist cloth
  and plastic film.  Do not store with apples.
 
 Fertilizing Fruit Trees:  
 Apples:  Nitrogen fertilization of trees should be accomplished by about six
  weeks ahead of bloom, or by mid-March in most of the state.  Use your best
  judgment of the amount to apply based on the cropping history of the planting,
  and the amount of shoot growth (12-18 inches of terminal growth is adequate for
  mature trees).  If growth has been strong and foliage heavy, then nitrogen
  should probably not be applied this year.  Severely pruned trees should not be
  heavily fertilized with nitrogen, since excessive vegetative growth will be
  produced.  Calcium sprays for bitter pit control should be a standard practice
  beginning at petal fall or first cover,  since a high quality crop of fruit is
  most important.  
 Peaches:  With a potential light or no crop this year, nitrogen fertilization
  should be split into two applications.  The first should go on from now to
  mid-March and the second after a good fruit set is assured.  Where there is no
  crop, then that second application can be omitted and excess growth should be
  largely avoided.   On peaches an annual application of nitrogen is needed to
  provide good terminal growth, since peach buds are produced laterally on last
  years terminal growth only.
 	Use your experience with tree growth and yield to establish the rate of
  nitrogen application.  As a beginning guide, about 1/2 pound of actual nitrogen
  per tree is about right in most cases, with heavier amounts being required on
  lighter soils.   At Vincennes we found that the usual level of nitrogen was not
  adequate to sustain good growth and heavy yield where it was necessary to
  maintain a completely sodded ground cover.  Under these conditions the rate
  should probably be doubled.  Michigan studies indicate that peach tree growth
  is roughly proportional to the weed free area under the tree, so weed control
  is very important relative to fertilization.
 	Additional potassium may be needed where soils are sandy, or where cropping has
  been heavy.  In the plots at  SWPAC where the soil is very sandy and cropping
  was heavy, doubling the usual amount of potassium resulted in the best yields. 
  Except in very unusual cases we do not see a response to phosphorus
  applications to either peaches or apples.  
 
 Herbicides for Fruit Crops:  Pre-emergence herbicides should be applied before
  weed seeds germinate if you wish to eliminate the need for a post-emergence
  material like Gramoxone Extra.  See the 1996 ID 168 or ID 169 for suggestions
  of materials, rates and timing.  Also read and heed the product labels.	
 
 Equipment Maintenance:  Is your tractor and sprayer ready to go?  Is it cleaned,
  lubricated  and calibrated?  There is still time for the annual maintenance of
  that all-important equipment before it is really needed.  The sprayer, and the
  tractor too, would be better for a good cleaning and waxing before the season. 
  A dirty sprayer discharge manifold will rob the sprayer of efficiency and
  airspeed.  A coat of paint would increase longevity as well.  Where calcium is
  used in the cover sprays, special care is necessary to avoid premature
  equipment wearout.
 	The sprayer should be calibrated twice annually.  It should be calibrated
  during the dormant season and after the trees have become fully leafed out. 
  The patterns of spray distribution should be different for fully leafed trees
  from that for trees that are dormant or just leafing out.
 
 Pruning Grapes:  The cold temperatures in early February caused bud injury on
  tender cultivars of grapes.  Growers should make a thorough assessment of bud
  survival before starting the pruning operation on grapevines.  Adjustments in
  the balanced pruning formula can be made based on the amount of bud loss.  If
  50% of the buds are dead, leave twice as many buds than called for by the
  balanced pruning formula.  Spring freeze damage can also be a significant
  economic problem for grape growers.  A pruning technique called Òlong pruningÓ
  helps avoid spring frost and freeze damage, especially on varieties that tend
  to bud out early.  The procedure utilizes the apical dominance of buds on the
  cane.  The first buds to begin growing are those on the tip of the cane, while
  buds closer to the base begin growth later.  This type of pruning is only
  applicable to spur or Òno tieÓ training systems.  To perform long pruning,
  select canes to be used for fruiting spurs during the normal pruning practice,
  but leave these canes long, with 10-15 more buds than desired.  Spurs are
  normally pruned to 5 or 6 nodes for fruiting, but if they are not cut back,
  then the extra buds will help delay the development of the desired basal 5-6
  buds, which helps avoid frost injury.  After the date of the last probable
  spring freeze has passed, the canes are shortened to the desired length to
  properly adjust the bud load for the vine.  Growth of the basal buds can be
  delayed by as much as two weeks if weather conditions are favorable.  While
  this procedure requires an extra trip through the vineyard, it can mean the
  difference between a full crop and little or no crop.
 
 Pruning Brambles:   This is a good time to finish pruning summer-bearing
  brambles.  Last years fruited canes should be removed if they werenÕt last
  summer or fall.  Laterals on blackberries, and black and purple raspberries
  should be trimmed back about 1/4 of their length to promote flowering on strong
  wood.  Red raspberries canes can be tipped if desired.  If the planting is
  trellised, the canes should be tied to the wires now before growth starts. 
  Fall bearing types should be mowed to the ground before growth begins.
 
 New Miticide Labeled:  Gowan Co. has announced that a new miticide, Savey 50WP,
  has been cleared for control of European red mites on apples and European red
  mites and two-spotted spider mites on pears.  Tests have shown Savey to be a
  very effective miticide, with results comparable to Apollo.  Savey can be used
  as late as pink.  I have not tested the two products side by side, but I plan
  to do so this year.  The label prohibits the use of Savey and Apollo in the
  same year, because of concerns about resistance.
 
 
 
 Coming Meetings:
 
 February 29 --- Wabash Valley Fruit Growers meeting, SWPAC, Vincennes, IN.
  Contact Jerry Nelson at (812)882-3509.
 
 March 2 --- Commercializing Chestnut in Michigan, MSU Plant Biology building,
  East Lansing, MI. Contact Dennis Fulbright at (517)353-4506.
 
 March 5-6 --- Illinois Small Fruit and Strawberry Schools. Ramada Hotel, Mt.
  Vernon, IL. Contact. Jeff Kindhart at (618)695-2441.
 
 March 9-10 --- Indiana Grape/Wine Symposium, SeasonÕs Lodge, Nashville, IN.
  Contact Jim Butler at (812)339-7233 or Bruce Bordelon at (765)494-1298.
 
 April 2 --- Southeast Indiana Fruit Growers meeting.  7 pm.  Farm Bureau
  building, Aurora, IN. Contact John Ewart at (812)926-1189.
 
 April 4 --- Eastern Indiana Fruit Growers meeting.  Minnestrista Cultural
  Center, Muncie, IN. Contact Harold Brown at (765)747-7732.
 
 ======================================================================
 
 Bruce Bordelon, 1165 Dept. of Horticulture, Purdue University, West Lafayette,
  IN 47907-1165, 765/494-1298, e-mail: bb@hort.purdue.edu
 
 Dick Hayden, Professor Emeritus, 1165 Dept. of Horticulture, Purdue University,
  West Lafayette, IN 47907-1165, 765/494-1298, e-mail:
  Dick_Hayden@hort.purdue.edu
 
 Paul Pecknold, 1155 Dept. of Botany & Plant Path., Purdue University, West
  Lafayette, IN 47907-1155, 765/494-4628, e-mail: Pecknold@btny.purdue.edu
 
 Rick Foster, 1158 Dept. of Entomology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN
  47907-1158, 765/494-9572, e-mail: Rick_Foster@entm.purdue.edu
 
 
 Disclaimer:  Reference to products in this publication is not an endorsement to
  the exclusion of others which may be similar.  Any person using products listed
  in this newsletter assumes full responsibility for their use in accordance with
  current label directions of the manufacturer.  
 

======================================================================