SHOT HOLE: a Problem Most Seasons, More So During Wet Seasons, Causes Leaf & Fruit Shot

Notes for the early part of the season.

Following on from copper sprays.

Keep an eye out for early aphid infestation on new shoots, use Pirimor or Aphidex to control these if necessary.

Prune out obvious bacterial canker infected limbs and remove them from the orchard, this will reduce the potential spread of the bacteria. Copper sprays will help with both canker and Shot Hole, if Shot hole is a persistent problem use Barrack/Bravo as an early season protectant after bud burst.

Blossom Blight caused by monilinia laxa, a problem most seasons in most cherry orchards if NOT controlled early. The disease causes Brown Rot later in the season. Fungicides applied over the blossom period will give good control; Use Sumisclex over the bloom period up to shuck fall as a curative / protectant, NOT to be used past shuck fall. Use follow up protectant products as required through to pink when Tilt or similar can be used.

Thrip will be a problem in some years when the conditions are dry and warm over the blossom period, these tiny insects’ damage flower parts, often aborting developing fruit or deforming and marking fruit.

Avoid spraying during peak bee foraging times.

LIGHT BROWN APPLE MOTH: PUT PHEROMONE MOTH TRAPS OUT

An increasing problem in cherries, the grub will burrow into the fruit from colour break onwards, once inside the fruit it cannot be controlled and may not be detected during grading. Monitor for small, green, very active caterpillars and a fine web, often over the stem end of fruit. Cover sprays are advisable if there was a problem in the past. EARWIGS: and WEEVILS: They are out there. Monitor for these bugs from bud development onwards, rolled cardboard or some other material placed in the tree can act as a trap for monitoring, a good time to search is through blossom and particularly when there is plenty of shuck piles in the tree, look also in cracks and old pruning scars. As Earwigs control many pests, spray only if they damage fruit or stems above an acceptable level, Earwigs consume a lots of aphids and LBAM larvae, so do not nuke them with out considering the benefits. Bait can be applied to the orchard floor to reduce numbers. AVATAR insecticide may be sprayed onto the trees and around the base to control Earwig. There is a Permit for Avatar..

FERTILISER Consider an early, green tip application of nitrogen and potassium as the heavy winter rains will have leached away much of the soil nutrients. Particularly important on young trees and high density plantings.

Always check the label for application rates and WHP. Before applying the products BE AWARE OF CHEMICAL WITHHOLDING PERIODS, ESPECIALLY ON EXPORT FRUIT *Consult with the market agent if selling fruit outside of SA.

Further information is available from LENSWOOD RURAL COLD STORE RD LENSWOOD

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