Apple Fruit SetFor the week of May 19, apples are currently at about 10-11 mm for most varieties this far north. The season is moving quickly and with this growth, some growers have started their first chemical thinning application for the season. I was a bit concerned about...
Peaches hanging in there - On Friday, May 16, tornadoes impacted several locations across Missouri, Illinois, and Kentucky. Many in surrounding areas not directly affected by the...
Overall, the last month has featured typical spring conditions in Central Illinois, with moderate temperatures and average precipitation. However, there were multiple severe weather events on April 2 and April 20 in the area during this period, including one confirmed tornado in Tazewell County,...
Since the last newsletter, several cold fronts have come through the region; not enough to take the fruit crop, but enough to slow development and do some damage to blackberry canes in the northern part of the region. Several reported hail damage to buildings and fruit trees after severe weather,...
Chemical thinning is a crucial step in successful apple production that could be done in May to June, helping to manage fruit load, improve fruit size, and ensure consistent annual yields, especially on cultivars with biennial bearing tendencies. With several options available, selecting the right...
As of early April, most apple cultivars in northern Illinois had progressed past silver tip and were in early green tip, with some variability depending on the orchard and cultivar. By mid-April (week of April 15), certain varieties such as ‘Ida Red’ had advanced to the half-inch green stage....
A growing concern observed last year was the lack of lateral branches—or “feathers”—on young apple trees, especially in high-density training systems like tall spindle. This can lead to "blind wood"—sections of trunk without productive branches—which can limit yield and canopy development.One...
Illinois state climatologist, Trent Ford, shared this updated freeze risk alert for next week. After a warm March and first week of April, unseasonably cold air is going to move into the Midwest and bring a risk of widespread freeze across Illinois. The updated forecasts from the GFS (American) and...
Don’t expect it for the 2025 season in Illinois but look for a new apple and pear thinner from ADAMA under the trade name Brevis SG possibly in 2026. The company’s U.S. launch will start with Washington state this year, then expand in 2026. The active ingredient, metamitron works...
This past week, after much preparation and study, I bench-grafted 24 semi-dwarf apple trees with a grafting-knowledgeable friend on Thursday the 13th in Bloomington. Grafting method used was the whip-and-tongue graft. With daytime temperatures topping out at 68F, and a light breeze, we couldn’t...
