Scaffolds Digest: Season 3 Finale

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

Welcomed Vaughn Gingrich and recapped the season’s pest/pathogen issues.
Announced two extension events on August 13: the Reality Research Nutrient Tour (Western NY) and Mike Basedow’s late summer tour (Eastern NY).
Highlighted flare-ups in woolly apple aphid and difficulties with timing sprays.
Raised concern about outdated management assumptions from the diazinon era.
Noted the decline in efficacy of older chemistries and complexity of scouting for aerial vs. trunk woolly colonies.
Pushed for camera trap use and better tech adoption despite limitations.
Emphasized potential of mating disruption as an entry point for growers.
Tied recent pest trends (woolly aphid, borers) to the loss of chlorpyrifos.

Saw early insect pressure (mites, woolly aphids) but later-than-expected flare-ups due to dry, hot weather.
Believes cooler spring disrupted codling moth development; second gen OFM flight started late.
Woolly aphid populations exploded mid-season; scouting/timing critical.
Tarnished plant bug and borers increasing, possibly due to mild winter and reduced use of broad-spectrum insecticides.
Notes peach tree and dogwood borers resurging post-chlorpyrifos.
Encourages mating disruption for borers but sees low adoption; recommends any product growers will use.
Uses and supports camera traps but notes upkeep is still significant.
Reports low scab incidence due to conservative spray strategy; mildew problematic due to humidity.
Sees a good fresh crop in western NY but weaker processing crop (~70% of 2024); pollination/weather issues cited.
Warns of hail risk continuing into harvest.
Concerned about dry heat reducing fruit size, color, and storability.

Clarified chilling units and dormancy transitions in trees.
Emphasized importance of recognizing different woolly aphid colony types and reproduction behavior.
Advocated for more grower engagement in scouting and trap use.
Reported localized mildew and fire blight outbreaks tied to history and inoculum load.
Noted improved native pollinator activity during poor honeybee flying conditions.
Suggested fire blight appeared late, often turning dry quickly, limiting severity.
Noted some shot holing on peaches tied to captan sensitivity.

Surprised by low scab levels despite wet weather; possibly due to better adherence to warnings.
Observed mildew entrenchment in certain blocks; no easy management solutions.
Warned about insufficient fungicide options for mildew and carryover from infected buds.
Reported frog eye leaf spot widespread, mostly due to wet bloom weather.
Noted some Nectria infections potentially mistaken for fire blight; doesn’t recommend aggressive response.
Warned of hail risk and harvest-time heat stress affecting fruit quality and timing.
Advocated for canopy management and pruning for disease control.