FFF 97-11
August 13, 1997

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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).
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Inside
   *Crop Conditions
   *Grape Harvest Parameters
   *Yellowjackets
   *Abound Fungicide 
       Phytotoxic to Apples
   *Ohio Valley Harvest Festival
   *Pesticide Container Recycling
   *Farm Stewardship Field Day
   *Coming Meetings/Events
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CROP CONDITIONS
   Fruit crops are still about two weeks behind normal this 
season.  
   The dry conditions over much of the state are becoming a 
concern to
   fruit growers.  Fall apples seem to be sizing slowly and 
continued dry
   conditions may lead to small fruit size at harvest. We 
have experi-
   enced  considerable bird damage on summer apples, a 
problem often
   associated with dry weather.  The cool conditions of the 
past week
   should help  improve fruit color and quality, but a good 
rain is 
   needed in most areas.  Peach and summer apple harvest is 
underway 
   across   the southern half of the state and will begin 
soon in central 
   and northern areas.  Blueberry harvest is in full swing 
and the
   northern portion of  the state where  most blueberries are 
grown.
   Adequate rainfall in those areas over the past couple of 
weeks has 
   helped maintain berry quality and size.  Summer  bearing 
red raspberry
   harvest is ending and fall bearing types are flowering 
heavily.  
   Grape harvest will begin very soon in the southern part of  
the state.

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YELLOWJACKETS:  In August and September, yellowjacket 
populations will reach very high numbers and become 
especially troublesome in raspberries, grapes, and U-pick 
orchards.  A few bits of information to remember 
...Yellowjackets produc• annual colonies, and the only 
members of the colony to over-winter are fertilized queens.  
These queens spend the winter in protected locations such as 
stumps and hollow logs.  They emerge in the spring (April and 
May), select a nest site, and build a small paper nest in 
which they lay eggs.  After the eggs hatch, the queen feeds 
the young larvae for 18 to 20 days, then the larvae pupate.  
In a few days, this brood emerges as small infertile females 
called workers.  These workers then begin feeding the brood, 
and the queen rarely leaves the nest after that time.  
Colonies build rapidly through the summer, and by September a 
nest may contain 4,000 workers and 10,000 to 12,000 brood 
cells.  In late summer and fall, new reproductive cells are 
produced, and the males and females that emerge from them 
mate.  The males soon die, but the females (new queens) seek 
sheltered locations to overwinter.  Nearly all of these new 
queens will die during the winter, but a few survivors manage 
to start the next seasonÕs colonies.  In general, the species 
that are common in the Midwest nest in the ground, but one, 
the baldfaced hornet, constructs paper nests that hang from 
trees.  	
	  Yellowjackets are beneficial for their role as 
predators on other insects, but as populations build in late 
summer, their presence in orchards and the risk they pose 
because of their painful stings generally outweighs this 
benefit.  What can be  done?  First, workers move into fruit 
plantings to feed on ripe and over-ripe fruit.  Clean and 
early picking helps to reduce their buildup.  This option is 
less effective and less practical in especially sweet fruits 
and in U-pick operations, but it is an important start.  
Sprays applied directly to fruit as part of cover spray 
programs will do some good, but they will not work well to 
kill foraging wasps and prevent fruit damage and stings.  
Commercial yellowjacket traps will capture a large number of 
yellowjackets if they are set out early in the season, but 
they often have little effect on the numbers of foraging 
yellowjackets.  Suspending a fish over a pan of soapy water 
is an alternative that does not rely on pesticides.  Will 
these efforts really work?  As noted above, results have not 
always been good, but a key point that is often overlooked is 
to start early to prevent the buildup of huge populations 
around your plantings. Nothing you do will eliminate 
extremely high numbers of yellowjackets if you start the 
effort in September.  (Modified from Illinois Fruit and 
Vegetable News, Rick Weinzierl by Ric Bessin Univ. of 
Kentucky, and again at Purdue.)
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GRAPE HARVEST PARAMETERS:  As grape harvest nears growers 
should be sampling their vineyards and analyzing fruit 
composition (sugar, acidity, and pH) to determine harvest 
date.  As fruit ripen sugar concentration increases, 
titratable acidity decreases, and pH increases.  Grapes do 
not continue to ripen after they are harvested.  The level of 
ripeness desired at harvest depends on the style of wine to 
be made.  For light, fruity style wines, grapes are usually 
harvested before they are fully ripe.
This is especially true with strong flavored American 
varieties such as Concord and Niagara.  Sugar may have to be 
added to the must before fermentation, but the results are a 
lighter,fruitier wine without an overpowering ÔfoxyÕ flavor.  
For heavier, full-bodied wines, fruit is usually allowed to 
fully ripen before harvest.  When fully ripe grapes should 
have 20 to 24 % soluble solids (sugars), 7 to 9 grams/L 
titratable acidity, and a juice pH of 3.1 to 3.5.  To 
accurately measure these parameters growers need a 
refractometer, pH meter, and burette.  Soluble solids is the 
easiest parameter to measure, but is not the best indicator 
of optimum fruit ripeness.  Instead, a balance of soluble 
solids, titratable acidity, and juice pH should be 
considered.  Of the three parameters, juice pH is perhaps the 
most important.  High juice pH can be a problem in warm 
growing seasons and with certain varieties and causes many 
problems for the winemaker.  Several wine quality attributes 
are adversely affected by high pH including color, protein 
and tartrate stability, oxidative rate, metal complexing, 
ability to clarify, biological stability, and sensory 
attributes.  Since pH cannot be adjusted in the winery as 
easily as titratable acidity or sugar content, it is best to 
harvest fruit within the desired pH range.  Most winemakers 
prefer white winegrapes with a juice pH of about 3.1-3.2 with 
a maximum of 3.4, and red winegrapes with a pH of 3.3-3.4 
with a maximum of 3.5.  
	  Grape harvest appears to be 10-14 days behind normal 
this season, but that should not be a problem for vineyards 
in the southern half of the state that have plenty of growing 
season left.  In central and northern areas late maturing 
varieties may not fully ripen before the first frost.  If 
cool temperatures continue this season, fruit should ripen 
slowly, titratable acidity should remain relatively high, and 
juice pH should remain low as sugars increase, leading to 
excellent quality in southern areas.  Acidity will likely be 
high in central and northern areas.  As harvest nears, 
sampling should be done at least twice weekly to track the 
progress of fruit ripening.  If you plan to sell to a winery, 
keep them updated on fruit composition and let them help make 
harvest decisions based on their needs.  During harvest, 
protect fruit quality by picking early in the day while the 
fruit is cool, keeping the fruit cool, and handling the fruit 
carefully to avoid cracked berries, juice leakage, and 
potential spoilage.  Minimize the time between harvest and 
crush as much as possible. 

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ABOUND FUNGICIDE BOUND FUNGICIDE PHYTOTOXIC TO APPLES:  
Abound, a new fungicide for grapes and peaches, has shown 
extreme phytotox
icity to some apple varieties.  Bill Shane and Mark 
Longstroth of Southwest Michigan Research and Extension 
Center reported that several growers had experienced problems 
when using the same equipment to apply Abound to grapes and 
other sprays to apples.  Most severely affected were McIntosh 
and McIntosh-related varieties including Cortland, Empire, 
Jonamac, Mollies Delicious, Spartan, Gala, and others.  Red 
and Golden Delicious, Jonathan and Rome were unaffected.  
Phytotoxicity appears as brown spots, flecks, and patches on 
leaves and fruit.  Older leaves show symptoms more than young 
leaves.  Affected leaves may drop from the tree and fruits 
may have ooze droplets, somewhat like fireblight.  Washing 
the equipment seems to reduce the symptoms but unwashed 
sprayers can cause damage for several tank loads.  Abound 
should not be applied near apple orchards where there is a 
possibility of drift onto susceptible varieties.  Sprayers 
used to apply Abound to grapes or peaches should not be used 
to spray apples until more information is available on the 
effectiveness of tank cleaners.  For more information contact 
Zeneca Ag Products at 800-759-2500.

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OHIO VALLEY HARVEST FESTIVAL :  Growers and producers hardly 
need to be told that the role of farmers is directly linked 
to good nutritional health and sound local economics.  But a 
group of farmers, chefs, and other concerned citizens in the 
Ohio Valley region is taking a unique marketing approach to 
make this fact a reality for more consumers.  The Ohio Valley 
Harvest Festival will be held on the Belvedere Plaza in 
Louisville, Kentucky, from 12:00 noon until 6:00 p.m. on 
Sunday, September 14.  Growers and chefs work together at the 
event to promote their products.  The chef will purchase the 
growerÕs produce and prepare a farm-fresh dish for tasting.  
The grower and chef will sell side-by-side to the public, 
farmersÕ market style.  Arrangements and pairings with chefs 
is taking place now, so call soon if you are interested.  
There is no charge to the grower.  Chefs, caterers and bed 
and breakfast operators from Louisville, Lexington, and 
smaller surrounding communities are being invited to 
participate with Kentucky and Indiana growers.  Over 10,000 
consumers attended last yearÕs festival and larger crowds are 
expected this year.  This festival gives you a chance to 
promote your produce, develop working relationships with 
chefs and to sell directly to the public.  The project is 
sponsored by the UK Kentucky Leadership for Agricultural & 
Environmental Sustainability (KLAES) project; Farm Aid, the 
City of Louisville, and Mothers and Others for a Livable 
Planet.  To participate in the Ohio Valley Harvest Festival, 
contact Dawn M. Ripley, Jefferson County Extension Office, 
Louisville,KY, phone 502/425-4482 or Roy Ballard, Floyd 
County Extension Agent for Agriculture, New Albany, IN, phone 
812/948-5470. 
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PESTICIDE CONTAINER RECYCLING:  The schedule for the 1997 
Pesticide Container Recycling Project has been set.  Farmers, 
agricultural chemical dealers and other pesticide uses will 
again be given an alternative to landfilling their empty 
pesticide containers.  The containers must be 2 1/2 gallons 
or less in size and must be free of all excess liquid and 
pesticide residues.  Thirty gallon plastic containers will be 
accepted if the disposal is pre-arranged with the local 
Extension educator and if rinsed and cut in half lengthwise.  
Clean empty containers may be delivered to the sites listed 
below between 8:30 am and 3:00 pm.  Containers not meeting 
the standards outlined above will be rejected and returned to 
the deliverer.  The program is sponsored by the Office of the 
Indiana State Chemist, Indiana Plant Food & Agrichemical 
Association, and the Indiana Farm Bureau Inc.  The Solid 
Waste Management Districts and Purdue University Cooperative 
Extension Service are working to provide sites and personnel 
at the sites.

August 14	Owen Co. Hwy Garage, Terre Haute Rd. 2mi N of 
Spencer
August 19	Davies Co Landfill, C.R. 650 E. North of Montgomery
August 20	Dubois Co.SWMD Recycling Facility,1103 S. 350 W., 
Jasper
August 21	BFI Laubscher Meadows Sanitary Landfill,St.Joseph 
Ave & Laubscher
      Rd.,Evansville
August 27	Laughery Valley Co-op, 3994 US 421 S.Versailles
August 28	Scott Co.Fairgrounds,Hwy 31 1/2 mi S of 31
      & 56 jct, Scottsburg
August 29	Bartholomew Co. Recycling, 720 S.		Mapleton, 
Columbus
September 3	Wabash Co. Fairgrounds, Gillen Ave. W of 		
	SR 13, Wabash
September 4	Cargill Inc.-Aylesworth Elevator, SR 8 @	
	250 W., Hebron
September 5	Benton Co. Fairgrounds, SR 352 & 41,	
	Boswell
September 9	Cropmate, 335 S. East St., Charlottesville
September 10	Randolph Co. Fairgrounds, 2 1/2 mi S of
	Winchester on US 27
September 11	Adams Co. Fairgrounds, 1/8 mi N of 124 on	Polk, 
Monroe

For more information contact the Office of the Indiana State 
Chemist at 765-494-6271 or your county Purdue Cooperative 
Extension Office.

Farm Stewardship Field Day:  Kentucky State University and 
University of Kentucky are sponsoring a field day at the KSU 
farm on September 18. The theme will be Farm Stewardship and 
will emphasize sustainable farming systems for the small and 
part time farmer.  This will be a large statewide event that 
will provide the opportunity for demonstrations, 
interactivity with the presenters, farm tours, networking 
with farmers and researchers from across the state and 
beyond, exhibitors, and more! Contact the KSU Research Farm 
at 502-564-5871 or 5869.

August 21 Ñ Mid Season Peach and Early Season Apple Showcase 
at Southwest Michigan Research and Extension Center. Self-
guided tours any time 3:00 - 6:00 pm, group discussion 6:30 
pm. Contact Bill Shane (616-944-1477 x 205)

August 21Ñ Grapevine Training and Canopy Management Workshop 
featuring Dr. Richard Smart.  Southwest Michigan Research and 
Extension Center.  Contact Dr. Tom Zabadal (616-944-1477 x 
206). Space is limited and pre-registration is required.

August 21-22 Ñ Apple Crop Outlook and Marketing Conference, 
US Apple Association, Chicago.  Starts 2:00 pm on August 21 
with regional break-out discussions of the USDAÕs 1997 apple 
crop forecast. An updated forecast will be presented to 
attendees starting at 8:00 am on August 22.  Registration 
required.  Contact: US Apple Association, 800-781-4443.

August 23-24 Ñ A Beekeeping Workshop will be offered on the 
University of Illinois campus.  Contact David Schultz at 217-
333-6843 for details.  The cost of the workshop is $55.00. 

September 14 Ñ Ohio Valley Harvest Festival, Belvedere Plaza, 
Louisville, KY. Noon to 6:00 pm. Contact Roy Ballard, Floyd 
Co. Cooperative Extension. (812-948-5470).  See story above. 

September 18 Ñ Late Season Peach and Mid Season Apple 
Showcase at Southwest Michigan Research and Extension Center. 
Self-guided tours any time 3:00 - 6:00 PM, group discussion 
6:30 PM. Contact Bill Shane (616-944-1477 x 205)

September 18 Ñ Kentucky State University / University of 
Kentucky field day on Farm  Stewardship.  Contact the KSU 
Research Farm at 502-564-5871 or 5869.  See story above.

September 28 Ñ Central Kentucky Harvest Festival, Red Mile 
Race Track, Lexington KY. This festival is organized by WUKY 
and is set up like the Ohio Valley Harvest Festival. Contact 
Gail Bennett 606/257-7049 if you would like to participate 
and sell locally grown produce.

October 25 Ñ Kentucky Vineyard Society Fall Meeting, Sullivan 
College, Louisville, KY. Contact Butch Meyer 606/573-5642.

November 5 Ñ Late Season Apple Showcase at Clarksville 
Horticultural Research Station. Contact Clarksville Station 
(616-693-2193)


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Bruce Bordelon, 1165 Dept. of Horticulture, Purdue 
University, West Lafayette, IN 47907-1165, 317/494-1301, e-
mail: bordelon@hort.purdue.edu

Peter Hirst, 1165 Dept. of Horticulture, Purdue University, 
West Lafayette, IN 47907-1165, 317/494-1323, e-mail: 
hirst@hort.purdue.edu

Paul Pecknold, 1155 Dept. of Botany & Plant Path., Purdue 
University, West Lafayette, IN 47907-1155, 317/494-4628, e-
mail: Pecknold@btny.purdue.edu

Rick Foster, 1158 Dept. of Entomology, Purdue University, 
West Lafayette, IN 47907-1158, 317/494-9572, e-mail: 
Rick_Foster@entm.purdue.edu


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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.