Facts for Fancy Fruit 98-09  
July 15,  1998

Crop Conditions:  Blueberry harvest is well underway in the northern half of the state. Some 
Alternaria fruit rot problems have occurred and Japanese beetles are a problem in some fields. 
Japanese beetle are out statewide. In central areas numbers seem to be lower than in previous 
years, but the southwest has a higher population than previously. Peach harvest is progressing in 
the southern part of the state and will begin soon in central and northern areas. 

Special Note: This will be the last newsletter issued on a bi-weekly basis. The rest of the issues 
for 1998 will be published on a monthly basis.

Weather Notes:  The 6-10 day forecast for the period of July 16-20 calls for normal 
temperatures and below normal precipitation. The current 30 day forecast for July is for normal 
temperature and precipitation while the 90 day for July - September 1998 is for normal 
temperatures and above normal precipitation. The next 30/90 day update is due out July 15.
	With the jet stream returning to a more normal summer position look for normal conditions 
for the rest of the growing season. Normal summer rainfall amounts in Indiana would average 4 to 
4.5 inches per month or approximately 1 inch a week.
	El Nino/La Nina forecast is for the cooling phase to continue in water temperatures 
although not as drastic a cooldown over the next several months as was experienced recently.  
Early forecasts based on this call for a warmer than normal winter in Indiana. 
	June 1998 was the second wettest June since 1895 with 7.9 inch rainfall average statewide. 
The wettest June on record was in 1958 when we had a statewide average rainfall of 8 inches. 
Many areas of the state received significantly more than the statewide average with lots of 10 inch 
rainfall totals reported. Owen County and the surrounding area had many reports of 12 - 13 inch 
totals. The central third of the state received the most rainfall with 2.5 to 3 times normal rainfall 
amounts. After starting out cool and ending hot overall temperatures for the month averaged less 
than 1 degree above normal statewide.
	The wet pattern we experienced in June carried over into the first two weeks of July with 
the northern third of the state receiving rainfall amounts 2 - 2.5 times normal, the central third 
receiving rainfall amounts 1.5 times normal and the southern third, with the exception of southeast, 
recording slightly above normal rainfall amounts. Temperatures for the period averaged near 
normal. -from the Purdue Crop & Weather Notes July 10

Brown Rot Of Stone Fruits:  As peach harvest approaches be aware of the need for sprays to 
control brown rot. Warm, wet, humid weather is particularly favorable for brown rot. Pre-harvest 
sprays for brown rot should be started no later than 3 weeks before harvest or when fruit begins to 
color. Elite, Indar and Orbit are relatively new sterol inhibitor fungicides that give excellent control 
of brown rot. For further information on fungicides and timing of spray applications see  ID-168, 
"1998 Indiana Commercial Tree Fruit Spray GuideÓ. In addition to maintaining sprays for brown 
rot, also maintain sprays for insect pests that may injure fruit and allow brown rot to gain a 
foothold. Use care in the picking and handling of fruit to avoid punctures and skin abrasions. Any 
break in the skin of the fruit enables brown rot to more easily cause infection.ÐPecknold

Necrotic Leaf Blotch On Goldens:  Generally we first start noticing necrotic leaf blotch 
(NLB) on Golden Delicious in late June or July, when the weather becomes hot and sticky.  
Symptoms of NLB are leaf yellowing and drop; often patches of brown blotches develop along 
with leaf yellowing.  Symptoms develop suddenly, almost overnight, and in waves, generally 
from June through August.  The cause of NLB is not known; however, the disorder is thought to 
be related to air temperature, light intensity and soil moisture.  It is most severe when a cool, rainy 
period of 4 - 5 days precedes several hot, sunny days.   Although it appears NLB is not fungal 
caused, the disease is reduced when ziram is included in the cover sprays. -Pecknold

Apple Fruit Rots:  Wet weather is ideal for most fungal diseases.  If summer rains are a 
frequent event in your area of the state expect an increase in sooty blotch and flyspeck, black rot, 
bot rot, bitter rot and any other rots that might have made their way into your orchard.  Maintain a 
tight spray schedule if wet weather persists; see  ID-168, "1998 Indiana Commercial Tree Fruit 
Spray GuideÓ, for suggested fungicides.  As always, good orchard sanitation is a must for 
control of summer rot disease problems.  Remove and destroy all dead and/or dying wood from 
your orchard...NOW; this means brush piles, old prunings on the orchard floor, dead trees, dead 
limbs in trees, etc.  -Pecknold

Tissue Analysis Grapes and Small Fruits:  Plant nutritional status is important for all 
phases of plant growth and has a direct effect on vigor, fruitfulness, cold hardiness, and other 
factors. Tissue analysis is the most reliable means of determining plant nutritional status. Soil 
analysis is useful when used in conjunction with tissue analysis. However, soil analysis alone is 
not considered a reliable indicator of plant nutritional status. Soil samples can be taken at any time 
of the year but tissue analysis samples should be collected at the appropriate time to give the most 
meaningful results. For strawberry, sample the first fully expanded leaves after renovation, usually 
in mid to late July. For brambles, sample leaves on non-fruiting (primocanes) between August 1 
and 20. For blueberries sample leaves during the first week of harvest. For grapes, samples should 
be taken about 70 days after full bloom, usually early to mid August.  Samples should be adequate 
in size. Collect 30-60 leaves for strawberries, brambles, and blueberries, and 100 leaf petioles for 
grapes (for grapes submit only the leaf petiole, or stem, for analysis, discard the leaf). Collect 
samples to represent the entire field, not just from a few plants. Sample different cultivars 
separately. If specific problems exist, collect samples from both normal and problematic areas of 
the planting. 
	There are several private companies and universities that provide tissue analysis. Your 
county extension office has a list of the ACP Certified plant and soil analysis labs in Indiana. The 
Midwest Small Fruit Pest Management Handbook has a chapter on tissue analysis and fertilizer 
recommendations. If youÕd like a copy of OSU Bull. 861 send a check for $6.00 payable to 
Purdue University to Horticulture Extension, 1165 HORT, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 
47907-1165. Request OSU Bulletin 861. -Bordelon

Twilight Tour to Showcase Research Trials of Medicinal Botanicals and Cut 
Flowers:  Interest in Medicinal Botanicals continues to grow. Whether the interest is from 
farmers looking for an alternative enterprise, a home gardener looking for new and interesting 
plants to add to their collection, or from others interested in the reported medicinal qualities of 
herbs, accurate unbiased information on their production, harvest, use and marketing is in high 
demand. One source of such information is the Specialty Crop Twilight Meeting to be held on the 
evening of July 28, 1998 at the Southeast Purdue Agricultural Center (SEPAC) located in 
Butlerville, Indiana -approximately 20 miles east of Seymour on HWY 50. Tours begin at 6:30 
p.m. EST Òslow time.Ó This meeting, which is sponsored by the Purdue Cooperative Extension 
Service, will give participants an opportunity to tour the botanical fields of herbs, medicinals and 
cut flowers. There they will see the ginseng, goldenseal and black cohosh plantations, and tour the 
echinacea, feverfew and St.John's Wort plantings. Other medicinal and herb plants will be in the 
field to review including: Ginkgo biloba, senna, valerian, catnip, vervain, lavendar and sage. 
Visitors will also have an opportunity to review the replicated weed control studies to identify the 
most cost effective ways to suppress weeds in their herb fields. 
	Discussions will include information regarding the proper harvest and post harvest care of 
botanicals to insure that they meet the quality and quantity standards demanded by commercial 
buyers. Buyers of botanicals must observe stringent quality control at all levels of their operation 
beginning with the crops quality before it even leaves the farm. For this reason strong buyer/ 
grower communication and trust are critical to the future of both. Buyers are invited to attend this 
program and meet with prospective growers.
	In addition to the botanicals, a large planting of cut flower varieties will be on display 
including over 20 varieties of Zinnias and over 40 other species which have potential as cut flowers 
suitable for home use or direct market sales.
	Extension Horticulture specialist, Dr. James Simon will be on hand to explain production 
techniques and market potential related to the plant materials. Participants are encouraged to come 
prepared with specific questions regarding the trials, or about their home plantings and are 
welcome to bring samples of plant pest related problems that they may be currently experiencing. 
Available written information will include lists of potential buyers of botanicals, cultural 
information related to some specific crops and a list of suppliers of herb seeds and nursery stock.
	This program is free and open to anyone with an interest in the production, culture and/or 
marketing of alternative/specialty crops. The program will be held rain or shine, so participants 
should dress appropriately for the weather of the day. Anyone who needs additional information, 
about or directions to the twilight tour may call Roy Ballard, Purdue Extension Educator for 
Agriculture and Natural Resources for Floyd County at 812-948-5470 
(roy_ballard@ces.purdue.edu) or Dr. James Simon at 765-494-1328 (simon@hort.purdue.edu).

9th Annual Viticulture Field Day & Steak Cookout:  Michigan State University 
Southwest Michigan Research and Extension Center in Benton Harbor will host their annual 
Viticulture Field Day on July 30, 1998. This yearÕs program promises to be bigger, more 
informative, and more fun than ever! A full day of activity is planned for those interested in grape 
production. Last year, tickets sold out with over 200 people attending the event, so plan to get your 
tickets early.
	The morning program will emphasize sprayer technology with Dr. Gary VanEe and Mr. 
Richard Ledebuhr conducting a sprayer workshop to be followed by demonstrations of several 
commercial sprayers. Throughout the day a trade show will display the latest innovations in 
equipment and supplies for grape growers. A complimentary picnic will be served at noon with 
directors of the Michigan Grape Society in charge of the barbecue grills. (Try the Curly burger!)
	The afternoon field tour will feature numerous viticultural topics. Drs. Tom Zabadal and 
Stan Howell and their associates will present the latest updates on their research trials. There will 
talks on grow tubes, cropping levels for Chambourcin, training systems, biological control of 
Botrytis, row middle management, irrigation and fertigation, propagation of hardwood cuttings, 
cover crops, and mechanical pruning.
	After the afternoon educational tours, the Michigan Wine Hospitality session will showcase 
a wide array of fine Michigan wines and plenty of time for socializing. The steak cookout finishes 
the day with a line of barbecue grills, a small mountain of steaks and all the fixinÕs! 
	Pre-registration is necessary for this event. Early-bird registrations received before July 17 
will be $12/person and normal registration is $15/person, thereafter. For more information contact 
Dr. Tom Zabadal, SWMREC, 616-944-1477.
	(Editors note: This is the best viticulture field day program in the Midwest. Anyone 
currently growing grapes or considering grape production would benefit greatly from this 
educational and social program. Take this opportunity to visit beautiful Southwest Michigan and 
see first hand what can be accomplished when industry and academia work together.) -Bordelon

IWGÕs Summer Meeting a Success: Special thanks to Bill and Kathleen Oliver and their 
staff for hosting the summer meeting of the Indiana WinegrowerÕs Guild. The business meeting 
was well attended and several items were discussed. DirectorÕs Bill Oliver and Dave Lundstrom 
were re-elected for a second 2-year term, and Steve Thomas was re-elected President and will take 
over duties of writing the newsletter. Dave Gahimer will serve as the 1999 Symposium Chair. In 
other business, Monica Cronin, Promotions Manager with the Indiana State Fairgrounds, told the 
group about the new plans for the 1998 ÒA Taste of Indiana AgricultureÓ program and invited all 
the wineries to participate. A good deal of discussion occurred about signage and the INDOTÕs 
TODS program, thanks to Dave and Dorothy GahimerÕs investigative work. Charmaine Rawson 
from Indiana Outside Advertising informed the group about the cost, availability and time schedule 
for her companyÕs billboards. Margaret Broderick reported on the Marketing committeeÕs 
discussions about pursuing State Department of Tourism grants and urged members to contact one 
of the committee members with their opinions on what type of project to pursue. Sally Peart, the 
new marketing specialist with the Indiana Wine Grape Council, was introduced to the group and 
welcomed to the industry. The vineyard tour and barbecue topped off a productive day. About 40 
people attended and enjoyed the beautiful weather, good friends, good food, and great Indiana 
wine. -Bordelon

A Taste of Indiana Agriculture: ÒA Taste of Indiana AgricultureÓ wine tasting party will be 
held at the Farm Bureau Building on the Indiana State Fairgrounds from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. August 
6. Tickets are $10 and are available at any TicketMasters Outlet, and at the Indiana State Fair Box 
Office (317/927-1482). This program culminates the Indiana International Wine Competition, 
which is managed by PurdueÕs Dr. Richard Vine and Ms. Ellen Harkness. This wine competition 
is one of the largest in the country and has brought considerable recognition to the Indiana wine 
industry. ÒA Taste of IndianaÓ showcases the award winning Indiana wineries as well as other 
Indiana produced food products. Indiana Pork Producers, Indiana Beef Council, Indiana Veal 
Association, Indiana Sheep Breeders Association, Milk Promotion Services of Indiana, Illiana 
Watermelon Association, Indiana Ostrich Association, and Hoosiers United in Growing Emu will 
be among the groups presenting their products. All of the stateÕs 18 wineries will be there pouring 
their best wines. This program is being sponsored by the Restaurant & Hospitality Association of 
Indiana, the Indiana Association of Beverage Retailers, and WTPI radio 107.9 fm. -Bordelon

Questions and Answers:  Growers often have questions about articles that appear in this 
newsletter, or topics we donÕt cover. If you have a question or a topic you would like to see 
discussed, send it to one of us by mail or email and weÕll be happy to do an article for the next 
issue of the newsletter.

Subscribing Electronically:  To subscribe (or unsubscribe) to Facts for Fancy Fruit, send a 
message to fff@lists.hort.purdue.edu with the subject or body "subscribe" (or "unsubscribe"). 
You can also use the form at the web site http://www.hort.purdue.edu/fff/mailinglist.html to 
submit your subscription. Electronic access is free of charge. 


Coming Meetings:


July 21:  Ohio Small Fruit Tour, begins in Piketon at the OSU Piketon Research & Extension 
Center.  Contact Tom Wall, OSU Piketon (800) 297-2072, or Mike Pullins at (614) 249-2424 for 
more information.

July 21:  1998 Southern Ohio Winery Tour. Hosted by Valley Vineyards Winery. Reservations 
required. Contact Valley Vineyards Winery at 513-899-2485 for more information.

July 22:  Cider Seminar, Reynoldsburg, Ohio.  For more information contact Dr. Diane Miller at 
(330) 263-3824.

July 21-24:  American Society for Enology and Viticulture/Eastern Section 23rd Annual 
Meeting, Grand Rapids, MI. Contact:  Ellen Harkness, Dept. of Food Science, Smith Hall, Purdue 
Univ. W. Lafayette, IN  47907-1160,  Phone 317-494-6704, FAX  317-494-7953 Email: 
harkness@foodsci.purdue.edu.

July 28:  Botanicals, Medicinals and Herbs Field Day at Southeast Purdue Ag Center. Contact 
Roy Ballard, Floyd Co. Extension, 8121/948-5470; Jim Simon, 765/494-1328, or Don Biehle, 
812/458-6977.

July 30:  Viticulture Field Day, Southwest Michigan Research and Extension Center, Benton 
Harbor, MI. Contact the SWMREC at 616-944-1477. (see article above)

August 6:  A Taste of Indiana Agriculture. Farm Bureau Building, Indiana State Fairgrounds. 
6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $10. Contact Monica Cronin 317/927-7528 or Indiana State Fair Box 
Office at 317/927-1482

Sept. 13:  Ohio Valley Harvest Festival, Noon to 6:00 P.M., Riverfront Plaza/Belvedere, 
Louisville, KY. Contact Roy Ballard, Floyd Co. Extension, 8121/948-5470


Bruce Bordelon, 1165 Dept. of Horticulture, Purdue University, West Lafayette,
IN 47907-1165, 765/494-1301, e-mail: bordelon@hort.purdue.edu

Peter Hirst, 1165 Dept. of Horticulture, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN
47907-1165, 765/494-1323, e-mail: hirst@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.