No bud break at the Lamb homestead – all 6 trees. But it was a nice excuse to go out for a ramble before the rain.
And a little disease note – for needlecast on Douglas fir. How to cut down from 4 spray applications to 2. From Brian:
Skip the early spray! Wait until there’s an average of 1 to 1 ½ inch of growth for the first spray. Then go 10 days later for the second spray. That should be all you need if you get good coverage with both sprays
Brian used the highest label rate for his applications to manage needlecasts on Douglas fir (Since different products have different labeled rates – and different numbers of applications allowed – you need to check the label of the product you are using>)
GDD May 15 May 20
Champlain 31 59
Geneva 61 87
Riverhead LIHREC 136 155
Looks like things might speed up in development – both plants and pests.
This is an important time for pest management – before and during bud break.
Dormant oil applications
- Don’t spray blue spruce and other ‘blue’ cultivars, Douglas fir and spruce can be sensitive
- Temperature between 40 and 85F, with night temperatures above 32F
- At least 92% unsulfonated residues (check the label)
- Good coverage essential – contact effect only, no residual
- Keep the tank agitated
Remember to scout for these before making applications – you want to make sure the pest is there AND at the right stage
Cooley spruce gall adelgid 22-91 GDD
Spruce spider mite eggs 7-121 GDD
Balsam twig aphid eggs 58-120 GDD
Balsam woolly adelgid crawlers (haven’t found information for this one)
Eastern spruce gall adelgid 22-170 GDD
Elongate hemlock scale 7-120 GDD