June’s hot, dry conditions were conducive to spider mite flareups, particularly in tomatoes. Ever wonder why? Spider mites are reported to be susceptible to a pathogenic fungus that, when present, is capable of controlling spider mite populations. But for the fungi to survive and do their work, they need humidity/leaf wetness.
A long rain event the week of July 14, finally broke the blistering heat and drought experienced throughout the St Louis Metro East. Roughly speaking, anyone directly east of St Louis received rainfall in the 2-3” range. Those to the southeast and northeast of the city got upwards of 10” of rain.
Reports followed of work ongoing to correct wallowed young trees and rill erosion. A combination of saturated soil and wind buffeting trees like a stop sign can cause young trees to wallow out the planting holes. As of last week, the St Louis Metro East is drought free according to the U.S. Drought Monitor.
The harvest season continues to speed along, still running at least 2-weeks ahead of normal. Peach harvest is just entering the ‘Cresthaven’ window, with early apples like ‘Gala’ and ‘Rosalee’ nearing the harvest stage. Growers looking to delay early apple ripening for a closer to normal harvest window have reported the use of ReTain, a plant growth regulator that inhibits ethylene production. Blocking ethylene production in apples not only delays ripening, but also reduces fruit drop. Overall, growers are reporting a big apple crop. Bitter rot is still with us and is most evident in susceptible cultivars like ‘Honeycrisp’, ‘Jonagold’, ‘Fuji’, ‘Golden Delicious’ and ‘Empire’ if early primary infection control was not achieved.
Blackberry harvest is finishing up with ‘Triple Crown’ and moving into ‘Chester’.
Preemergent herbicide weed control in pumpkins has been hit or miss depending on whether rain came in a timely manner. Pumpkins have tipped and are starting to vine and set fruit, so the post emergent grass control window in pumpkins is here.