Fruit Bites April 14-16 Apples & Cherries

BL: Welcome back to another “Fruit Bites” brought to you by Valent U.S.A. With us as always is Valent’s Allison Walston. And this week Allison, we’re talking about the current status of apples and cherries in the PNW?

AW: People are reporting that cherries might have what’s called a flash bloom. The bloom happens over a very short time period because temperatures are warm.

BL: So, why is a flash bloom concerning?

AW: The flowers dry out too quickly and the bees don’t have enough time to pollinate to make cherries. Applying ethylene blockers to extend the pollination window of the flower is helpful in these types of springs.

BL: And, what’s going on with apples?

AW: Early powdery mildew applications are going out. This is helpful to have preventative applications, so the new flush of leaves isn’t infected. Having all that extra inoculum in a few months can damage the apples by causing russeting. Prebloom sprays can really help to decrease the pest pressure so you’re not having to catch up later in the season.

BL: Well, we’ll see, thanks Allison. Join us again next time for Fruit Bites, brought to you by Valent. Until then, I’m Bob Larson.