Final Keeping Quality Forecast is for GOOD quality. Frank has calculated that we obtained 7 out of 16 points for this year. You should probably be able to reduce your fungicide rates and/or the number of applications. If you use Abound, it does have a 14-day water holding requirement. Frank has mentioned that he has had conservations with the manufacturer to get this changed, but it is not possible at this time. Please let Frank know (ext 18 or fcaruso@umass.edu) if you have any injury to flowers associated with applications of chlorothalonil.
There are peas-sized fruit out on the early varieties. The season continues to be ahead of normal. Keep this in mind for your cranberry fruitworm management. Read pages 14-15 in the 2010 Chart Book to re-familiarize yourself with spray program options and timing. The first CFW is most critical for good management!! You can consider moving up the first spray especially for large-fruited varieties as the females look for sized fruit to lay eggs in.
The last Worker Protection Training workshop for the season will be held at the Cranberry Station on Wed June 30 from 2-4 PM. Call Marty to reserve a spot (ext 20 or martys@umass.edu). The cost is $5 per person.
Last week I did mention injury associated with a Poast/Callisto spray and it seems the damage is most characteristic of the flashing we have seen with Callisto, rather than being a result of combining the 2 herbicides. If you have had a different experience, please let me know, ext 21 or email me hsandler@umass.edu.
If you would like any specific issues or questions to be address on the IPM message, call me at ext 21 or email mehsandler@umass.edu.