April 21, 2016

Christmas tree IPM update 4.21.16

What’s happening to the Christmas trees?  Trees that looked terrific 2 weeks ago are now partially or completely covered with orange or grey needles.  I have heard mostly about firs and white spruce, but other species may also be affected.  In some cases it is worse on the SW sides of trees but not always.

Calls are coming in to me, CCE and the diagnostic lab so this is quite widespread.

Our best answer, based on the rapidity with which symptoms showed up, the range of species and locations hit, and the wide area covered is that this is not a disease but desiccation – a form of winter injury.  Winter injury with the harsh winters we’ve had recently makes more sense, but even in milder winters, trees that are losing water with no way of taking  in more, or that went in to the winter water stressed, will show needle loss.

The first response is…wait.  Wait to see if the new buds were affected or if the new growth looks good.  The benefit of new needles may vary based on the size of the tree and the potential to get enough growth before harvest but waiting a few weeks will tell you what you have so you can decide what to do.

Find more information from Cornell and MSU.

Feel free to call or email if you have questions, or send pictures if you wish.

April 6, 2016

Greenhouse IPM update 4.6.16

A lovely tour of Rochester greenhouses last week.  I think I was having a color deficit reaction.  Need More Flowers!

It’s all in the tank! How do beneficial nematodes get along with pesticides as a tank mix?  Sarah Jandricic checked it out.

Beating botrytis – yes, it is that time of year.
The temperature and humidity range information is very helpful!

Keeping up with calibration – for EC and pH meters.  Note that not all are constructed the same way – but the basic information is a good reminder.  In fact, I need to calibrate mine today!

Need more encouragement to scout? And even more?

Do plants need sunscreen – when you use UV light to kill fungal diseases?

Grown in the USA – more beneficials are available from Beneficial Insectary in CA.

A little light reading – if you can find the time now.  The presentations from the 2015 Canadian Greenhouse Conference. My favorite slide title – The bios are @#&%$ !!! A checklist before complaining to your supplier.

Margery says she always reads these in case I mention her.  Maybe I should start adding other people’s names, too.

Have a great week!

April 5, 2016

Christmas tree IPM update 4.4.16

Snow? Of course.  But it is supposed to leave more quickly and then not come back.  Must have forgotten to put in my order for spring weather.  Does it give you a break or goof up your planting plans?

It must be spring!  The first issue of Branching Out is out. Want to know how to get NY based scouting help for your trees (and nursery crops, too)?  Here you go!   A few things this issue covers – Weir’s cushion rust and elongate hemlock scale.

The question we have been asking about blue spruce – Is it needle cast disease or something else? From the Ontario nursery crops blog.

And do you know what eriophyid mite damage looks like?  Another reason needles might be falling off of a variety of conifers. They like it cool so scout now (once the snow is off the needles) – but remember they are VERY small. (Already reported in the 3/24 PA Christmas Tree Scouting report)

Not so sweet if it is in your fields.  Honeysuckle breaks bud early which can help identify it for control.

What’s in your crystal ball?  MD has a new pest prediction calendar.  The Tree and Shrub guidelines have more species, but this has phenology information for some weeds and wildflowers, which might be right there on your farm.

Coming soon?  Depending on our weather of course.  Balsam twig aphids nymphs.  Do a tap test of twigs near those affected last year to find the nymphs that will crawl to breaking buds and produce lots more aphids.