Scaffolds Digest: 29 July 2025

Posted on by mrb254

Scaffolds Digest: 29 July 2025

Note: this summary was generated with ChatGPT, and reviewed and edited by Mike Basedow.

Monique Rivera 

  • Extension Event Announcements

    • Eastern NY Late Summer Orchard Meeting: Aug 13, 5–7 PM at Morningkill Farm, Ballston Spa. Tour + grafting program.

    • Western NY Fruit Grower Tour: July 31 in Wayne County. Focus: chemistries, equipment, practices. Monique to attend Morgan Farms stop (1:45–4:15 PM).

  • Recap of Pre-Harvest Drop Control & Color Materials (from ENY newsletter)

    • NAA: Inhibits abscission but promotes ripening; not recommended alone.

    • Retain: Inhibits ethylene production; apply 3–4 weeks pre-harvest; effective for drop control, especially when combined with NAA.

    • Harvista: Blocks ethylene action; apply 7–10 days pre-harvest; can delay color; risk of bitter pit on Honeycrisp.

  • Variety-Specific Tips

    • McIntosh: Retain + NAA, repeat if needed.

    • Gala: Half-pouch Retain 2–3 weeks pre-harvest to avoid stem cracking and delay color.

    • Honeycrisp: Use low Retain rates; avoid exacerbating bitter pit.

    • Empire, Cortland, etc.: Retain less damaging to color in cooler conditions.

  • Color Enhancement Tools

    • Ethephon: Enhances red color but causes drop.

    • Blush: Jasmonate-based, improves red coloration when timed near maturity.

Kerik Cox 

  • Current Conditions:

    • Hot, humid with scattered storms; rapid move into 6th–8th cover sprays.

    • Not much leaf wetness despite rains—low infection risk but variable.

  • Fungicide & Biological Use Recommendations

    • Summer disease focus: frog eye, blotch, Marssonina, bitter rot, etc.

    • Captan, phosphorous acid, and biologicals (e.g., Stargus, Oso, Howler) appropriate now.

    • Use single-site fungicides (Cevya, Inspire Super) in your early (1st through 2nd covers) for best impact.

  • Disease Highlights

    • Frog Eye Leaf Spot: Increasing; linked to thinning mummies.

    • Apple Blotch (Marssonina): Ink-blot lesions, leaf yellowing; progressing now.

    • Necrotic Leaf Blotch: Weather-triggered, especially on Golden Delicious.

    • Glomerella Leaf Spot: Not yet confirmed but symptoms resemble necrotic blotch.

    • Fruit Rots: Bitter rot, black rot, white rot emerging; sugary varieties at higher risk.

    • Sunburn: From pruning/light exposure, not often colonized by rots.

    • Moldy Core & Callus Core: Post-harvest cosmetic/internal issues, not health concerns.

  • Weather Models & Spraying Guidance

    • Used NUA models to assess disease risk across NY (Appleton, Williamson, Interlaken, Voorheesville, Peru, Campbell Hall, Riverhead).

    • Most sites: not enough rain to trigger major infections. Use light biologicals if necessary.

Anna Wallis 

  • Weather & Degree Day Accumulation

    • Very hot/dry July overall, but rainfall has been localized (e.g., Rochester = 7% of normal).

    • Degree days: 2–13 days behind 2024 across the state; harvest window slightly delayed.

  • Crop Progress

    • Apple color and size developing. Hand thinning, summer pruning, PGR use underway.

    • Terminal bud set approaching; harvest predictions being prepared regionally.

  • Diseases of Concern

    • Leaf spots (Marssonina, frog eye), fruit rots (bitter, white, black rot), and powdery mildew active.

    • Submit samples for ID if symptoms are unclear. Fireblight drying out in most areas.

  • Insect Updates

    • Apple Maggot: Low trap captures, more in abandoned sites.

    • Mites: Active in heat; bronzing visible.

    • Aphids: Present but generally managed.

    • Leafhoppers, Japanese Beetles, Stink Bugs: Still active; monitor near woodlines.

    • Codling Moth & OFM: 2nd generation underway—manage with rotation of IRAC classes.

    • Spotted Wing Drosophila: Populations exploding in some areas—monitor with traps or salt tests.