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Berry Bulletin # 10 July 10, 2009 Strawberries Strawberries: Strawberry harvest is winding down. Many of the problems in older fields have been attributed to very wet soil conditions last year, reduced snow cover and fluctuating winter temperatures. Root rots are a problem in some cases. Cyclamen mite continues to flourish and these fields should be treated with Thiodan after mowing. Newer, 2008 plantings look better however, and growers will be picking into next week in the later areas. Otherwise, renovation of June bearing varieties should begin as soon as possible after harvest. If broad-leaved weeds are a problem, begin the process by closing the field to all picking and making an application of 2, 4 D or Lontrel before mowing. Choose Lontrel for vetch, thistle, and sheep sorrel. Because Lontrel will also control other tough to control weeds which are in these families (legumes and clovers, compositae or daisy family, polygonacae or smartweed family) you do not need to apply both 2, 4 D and Lontrel. Do not apply Lontrel to stressed out fields. Several days after application of this herbicide, mow June-bearing strawberries several inches above the ground. Be sure to mow weaker varieties such as Jewel, fairly high, leaving a leaf or two behind. Day-neutral strawberries: Although we are well passed the peak of June-bearing production (peak is not exactly the right word for 2009), spring plantings of day neutral strawberries are starting to produce reasonable quantities. Day neutral strawberries which were planted last year have pretty much finished producing their spring crop. There are several ways to handle this planting. Some growers remove these older plantings once the spring planted fields start producing. The other option is let the field produce a summer-fall crop, although this fruit will be generally smaller. Mowing day-neutral fields is optional in this case. The advantage to mowing is it evens out production and gets rid of the remaining fruit and bloom which are too small to harvest. Pest pressure is reduced. However, mowing day neutrals will delay the onset of the summer crop. At this point (mid July), I would not recommend mowing day neutrals before producing a summer crop. New strawberry plantings: In new plantings, potato leafhopper (Fig 1.) is starting to cause damage (Fig 2.), mostly in new plantings and in the day neutral varieties Albion. If you observe damage and small lime green nymphs on the underside side of leaves, apply malathion for control. Another option for potato leafhopper control in non-bearing strawberry plantings is Surround Crop Protectant. Secure your straw for next winter, and if possible inspect the wheat crop to be sure it is weed free. Wheat crops which are destined to become straw for berry crops should not be pre-treated with glyphosate. Glyphosate residues have been known to carry over on straw and cause damage to the over-wintered strawberry crop. Potato Leaf Hopper Nymph
Leaf Hopper Damage Raspberries: Harvest of early varieties is beginning. Seems strange to say this after a cool wet week, but don’t let the soil dry out as the raspberry crop develops. Watch fall-bearing plantings, especially Autumn Britten, for potato leafhopper. Controls should be applied before bloom. July 14-16, 2009: Ontario Weed Tour (tour of research plots Tuesday July 14 (Woodstock 9 am, Exeter 1 pm), Wednesday July 15 (Harrow 9 am, Ridgetown 1 pm), Thursday July 16 (Elora 9 am). There are no berry trials on this tour but information for vegetables and field crops, as well as organic management options for vegetables and useful information on herbicides that applies to many crops. Many of the stops include discussion and self guided tours. Contact Kristen Callow kristen.callow@ontario.ca or NEW July 23, 2009: Day neutral and plasticulture strawberry production. Meet with researchers John Zandstra and August 11-12, 2009 - North American Strawberry Growers Association Summer Tour, in the Chicago area. For more information visit www.nasga.org or contact August 18, 2009. Simcoe Vegetable and Alternative Crop Open House, 1:30 pm. For information: 519-426-7127 Ext. 323 or visit http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/crops/conferences/20090818.htm September 16, 2009 Ontario Berry Growers’ Association season wrap-up and farm tour: Whittamores Farm, Markham. Contact |
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