The cool wet spring is delaying bloom and growth in many areas. First fungicides should go out for most folks as soon as the rain pattern breaks. This should be this weekend; looks good for Saturday and Sunday. Most cranberry varieties (except Howes) are approaching 20% bloom at State Bog. Call Sai Sree at ext 18 if you have any questions regarding your fungicide program. Some growers are choosing not to spray chlorothalonil this year, but if you have stocks of the fungicide, you should apply them in 2019 to use up any remaining product.
Now is the time to put out sprays to control scale, if you have an infestation. Please contact the Entomology Lab (x20) if you have any questions. Bees are on most bogs by now. Cranberry fruitworm moths are out flying as are blackheaded fireworm moths. Remember our management for these insects is to target the immature stages (egg or worm stage) not the adult stage. As always, read the label of all products you will be applying to identify any prohibitions or concerns about using the product around bees. Some insecticides like Diazinon, have specific prohibitions.
If you need pesticide contact hours, Natalia Clifton from UMass Extension is offering 2 workshops next Friday, June 28, at the Best Western Hotel in Marlborough. You can get either 2 or 4 contact hours. You can go to our web site on the home page and click on the link to register and pay by credit card. Or you can contact Natalia at 413.545.1044 or nclifton@umass.edu to reserve a spot and pay by check when you come to the meeting.
We are also hosting a bogside this coming Wednesday June 26 from 10-noon and will be offering 2 contact hours. We will meet by the bog if the weather is nice and in the library if it's raining.
If you have any topics that you would like me to cover on the IPM alerts, please call me at x21 or send me an email at hsandler@umass.edu.
