While we will concentrate on the concerns of intermediate to advanced Midwestern commercial growers; beginning orchardists, backyard gardeners, and growers from other regions are more than welcome to listen in.
Notes from August 28, 2008 call.
Note: This is the last Organic Apple Grower's Hour of the summer. We will hold one more conference call in November (date and time TBA). This call will be an opportunity for growers to discuss with Michael and others the effectiveness of their orchard management strategies this season. Also, I will soon post an evaluation form for the calls. I hope you will take a moment to fill one out. The evaluations will help us to decide whether and when to hold these calls again, and how to improve them. Your input is greatly appreciated! -Lisa
Participants (6 total): Deirdre Birmingham, Mineral Point, WI; Sam Atkins, Bayfield, WI; Bill Wright, Green Bay, WI; WI; Lisa DiPietro, Madison, WI; Michael Phillips, Groveton, NH (one person did not announce their name).
Discussion Topics:
Current events at Michael's orchard: harvesting Dutchess, Red Free, Williams Pride, and Ginger Gold; very low incidence of fungal or insect damage; most insect damage found in areas that were not thinned. A method of surveying for fruit damage to assess the effectiveness of your management. Controlling summer fruit rots: sanitation, horseradish root infusion, strobilurins. Controlling soft bodied insects (such as leaf hoppers) with Stylet oil or Neem oil: avoiding phytotoxicity, oil's mode of action, spray intervals, benefits of using Neem instead of Stylet. Fruit Brix: as a way to assess effectiveness of a foliar spray, as a way to predict fruit maturity, as an indicator of soil nutrient balance, approximate cost/ac of Peaceful Valley's "Brix mix," etc. Cost per acre of producing organic apples: Michael's cost vs. the cost for an orchard using practically every organic input allowed, deciding whether an input is worth the investment. Pricing: what Michael is charging for apples and how he decided on that price. Percent pack-out: how Michael's percent pack-out has changed from 50% in the mid 90's to about 85% today. Yield: lower yields in some organic orchards may be partially due to overuse of sulfur.
If you would like to hear the call recording, dial (712) 432-1284, then enter this access code: 868736. Each week's recording will be available via telephone until it is erased by the following week's call.
Notes from August 21, 2008 call.
Participants (7 total): Deirdre Birmingham, Mineral Point, WI; Tom Galazen, Bayfield, WI; Linda Hezel, Kearney, MO; Doug Waples, Soldier, IA; Lisa DiPietro, Madison, WI; Michael Phillips, Groveton, NH
Discussion Topics:
Current events at Michael's orchard: picking Dutchess, coyotes eating Red Free and Williams Pride. Early drops: causes of, options for addressing the problem of: Brix: uses for Brix data, sample Brix readings from Michaels' early apples, getting a leaf sap Brix reading, etc. Plant sap pH: possible indicator of plant health studied by researcher Bruce Tainio. What to consider when one's trees are magnesium deficient while one's soil contains too much magnesium and too little calcium. Managing fungal diseases (including "red spot") on yellow apples. Benefits of spreading a small circle of pea stone around the base of young trees. Strategies for managing voles. Deciding to relocate 2 year old trees: can they be moved without causing too much damage? Herbal medicine for orchards.
If you would like to hear the call recording, dial (712) 432-1284, then enter this access code: 868736. Each week's recording will be available via telephone until it is erased by the following week's call.
Notes from August 14, 2008 call.
Participants: (7 total)
Deirdre Birmingham, Mineral Point, WI; Sam Atkins, Bayfield, WI; Bob Willard, Rochester, WI; Linda Hezel, Kearney, MO; John Aue, Richland Center, WI; Lisa DiPietro, Madison, WI; Michael Phillips, Groveton, NH
Discussion topics:
Current events at Michael's orchard: apple maggots and Entrust spheres, first apples have fallen off of Duchess, picking up drops weekly. A biocontrol story: how the presence of green apple aphids can encourage the predation of wooley apple aphids. Saving money by buying liquid fish in a 55 gallon drum rather than in 5 gal buckets. Addressing an increase in secondary Lepidoptera pests when using a spray program that targets internal feeders. Fall sanitation: "stirring the biological stew," encouraging bioantagonists such as the microsphaeropsis fungal family, flail mowing, light application of lime, spreading compost, ground spray of neem oil and liquid fish, leaf raking, etc. Deer barriers and repellents: dogs, fences, frozen coyote carcasses. Integrating chickens into an orchard ecosystem: chicken tractors, nitrogen considerations, etc.
If you would like to hear the call recording, dial (712) 432-1284, then enter this access code: 868736. Each week's recording will be available via telephone until it is erased by the following week's call.
Notes from August 7, 2008 call.
Participants: (5 total)
Deirdre Birmingham, Mineral Point, WI; Doug Waples, Soldier, IA; Sam Atkins, Bayfield, WI; Lisa DiPietro, Madison, WI; Michael Phillips, Groveton, NH
Discussion topics:
Determining when Russets are ready to harvest. Current events in Michael's orchard: record rainfall continues, fungal problems still minimal, effect of heavy rains on insect pests. Comparing and contrasting IPM and organic approaches for Lepidoptera, plum curculio, apple maggot, etc. Soil testing and leaf tissue analysis. Light tilling and seeding of a cover crop outside of the drip zone to enhance soil and encourage trees to harden off. Scab resistant varieties and the 80 world-wide races of scab. Developing new apple varieties: at research stations and at your own orchard. Does deep soil nutrition decrease pre-harvest drop? A vibrant description of the Haralson apple. "Bonkers," a Lost Nation Orchard Variety. Using cardboard bands around trees to trap and kill codling moth. Is there a trap tree for codling moth? Using "haphazard mulching" to mimic forest floor diversity.
If you would like to hear the call recording, dial (712) 432-1284, then enter this access code: 868736. Each week's recording will be available via telephone until it is erased by the following week's call.
Notes from July 31, 2008 call.
Participants: (7 total)
Doug Waples, Soldier, IA; Harry Hoch, La Crescent, MN; Dierdre Birmingham, Mineral Point, WI; Bill Wright, Green Bay, WI; Lisa DiPietro, Madison, WI; Michael Phillips, Groveton, NH; John Aue, Richland Center, WI.
Discussion topics:
Current events in Michael’s orchard: record rainfall, apple maggot flight continues, little evidence of secondary scab, etc. Some observations garnered from John Aue’s scouting trips in WI: apple maggot flight sporadic, secondary scab not too bad except in a few orchards, orchards experiencing scab explosions often have little biological activity on leaf surface, etc. Projects at the Kearneysville Appalachian Fruit Research Station: developing “precision agriculture,” and “targeted management zones.” For more information on research at Kearneysville, go to: http://www.ars.usda.gov/research/projects/projects.htm?ACCN_NO=408204
also see: http://www.ars.usda.gov/research/publications/publications.htm?seq_no_115=176821
Refining Entrust spheres for apple maggot. “Push and Pull:” using surround and trap trees for plum curculio. Japanese plum draws the most PC. See an article on PC preference at:
http://www.ars.usda.gov/research/publications/publications.htm?seq_no_115=199782
Destroying PC pupae: flaming, old carpet, mulch and nematodes. Deciding whether/how to manage pests when a crop is destroyed by hail. Feeding damage of Apple Curculio.
If you would like to hear the call recording, dial (712) 432-1284, then enter this access code: 868736. Each week's recording will be available via telephone until it is erased by the following week's call.
Notes from July 17, 2008 call.
Participants: (7 total)
Peter Johnson, Waupaca, WI; Bob Willard, Rochester, WI; Doug Waples, Soldier, IA; Harry Hoch, La Crescent, MN; WI; Lisa DiPietro, Madison, WI; John Aue, Richland Center, WI; Michael Phillips, Groveton, NH.
Discussion topics:
Current events in Michael's orchard: 1st CM damaged apple, Tuesday neem/herb/garlic spray, talk on medicinal aspects of apples. AM in WI: widespread, but in small numbers. PC: anticipating larval exit from affected fruit, when PC enters Midwestern orchards, seeing fresh oviposition scars in mid-July. Distinguishing apple curculio from PC. AM management strategies at two orchards. The need for access to biodegradable starch/sucrose red spheres coated with organic pesticide to manage AM. Providers of biologically-active fish products (see note below)*. Ideas for future research.
*A note from Michael:
Here are some biologically-active fish product web addresses (along with manufacturer location) that go with our discussion today:
I'm temporarily removing "Neptune's Harvest" from my approved list until such time as I find out why their price is close to double that of the other fish companies. Any orchardists with yet other fish sources should let Michael know at michael@herbsandapples.com. You can also read more fish/seaweed product commentary in the February issue of Michael's Community Orchardist newsletter posted at www.GrowOrganicApples.com.
If you would like to hear the call recording, dial (712) 432-1284, then enter this access code: 868736. Each week's recording will be available via telephone until it is erased by the following week's call.
Notes from July 10, 2008 call.
Participants: (6 total)
Deirdre Birmingham, Mineral Point, WI; Doug Waples, Soldier, IA; Sam Atkins, Bayfield, WI; Harry Hoch, La Crescent, MN; WI; Lisa DiPietro, Madison, WI; Michael Phillips, Groveton, NH.
Discussion topics:
Current events in Michael's orchard: 14 day spray interval of neem and nettle, monitoring AM, encounter with a moose, etc. Encouraging a beneficial-friendly orchard understory in late July. Using aged compost to encourage soil microorganisms. Managing second generation CM. Managing Surround residues on harvested apples at Hoch orchard. Spray tank combos: dipel and sulfur, surround and neem, etc. Dwarfing rootstocks not showing precociousness on Michael's farm. New varieties susceptible to disease. Fish powder vs. fish emulsion vs. cold-processed liquid fish.
If you would like to hear the call recording, dial (712) 432-1284, then enter this access code: 868736. Each week's recording will be available via telephone until it is erased by the following week's call.
Notes from June 26, 2008 call.
Participants: (10 total)
Deirdre Birmingham, Mineral Point, WI; Doug Waples, Soldier, IA; Bill Wright, Green Bay, WI; Bob Willard, Rochester, WI; Tom Galazen, Bayfield, WI; Sam Atkins, Bayfield, WI; Lisa DiPietro, Madison, WI; Michael Phillips, Groveton, NH; John Aue, Richland Center; 1 grower did not announce their name.
Discussion topics:
Weather and pest reports from the Midwest/Northeast. Dutchess apple variety's susceptibility to PC. Apple Maggot: natural history of, Michael's approach to managing, traps and lures, importance of picking up early drops, trap placement, sprays, etc.. Preventing southwest injury with white latex paint or other options. Using a biodynamic tree paste/bark tonic to address canker problems. Fermented horsetail tea recipe. University of Massachusetts article on "Twenty Niche Tree Varieties to Consider" (See note below on Variety Resources for more information.) University of Pittsburgh's findings on Roundup's Toxicity to frogs, France and Germany's ban on the neonicotenoid imidacloprid.
Two Notes:
Variety Resources
The "Twenty Niche Varieties to Consider" article posted by the UMass research team can be found at www.umass.edu/fruitadvisor/variety. Most of these apples definitely lend themselves to organic management. All in all, this write-up makes good points on marketing fresh fruit to a wide spectrum of customer tastes. Some of you may also want to find a copy of "Our Apples: Lez Pommiers de Chez Nous" by Shahrokh Khanizadeh and Johanne Cousineau put out by the Quebec division of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada in the late 90s. It provides a wonderful overview of varieties (with color photos) of apples for northern growing zones.
Guest Speakers
Michael is thinking of inviting an experienced organic fruit grower to join us on occasion in the summer half of the Organic Apple Hour conference calls. We'd invest about twenty minutes of our time listening to Michael and guest explore what that grower considers to be the strong points of his or her orchard management. Some of the talk may stretch our Midwestern parameters but on the other hand Michael will try to draw out the ecosystem understanding that has relevance to any healthy orchard undertaking. Drop Michael an email at michael@herbsandapples.com if you have any suggestions as to growers you'd like to include in our weekly call.
If you would like to hear the call recording, dial (712) 432-1284, then enter this access code: 868736. Each week's recording will be available via telephone until it is erased by the following week's call.
Notes from June 19, 2008 call.
Participants: (7 total)
Deirdre Birmingham, Mineral Point, WI; Doug Waples, Soldier, IA; Jim Lindemann, McFarland, WI; WI; Lisa DiPietro, Madison, WI; Michael Phillips, Groveton, NH; two growers did not announce their names.
Discussion topics:
Weather in the Midwest/Northeast. Non-uniform distribution of insect pests this season. Generally low levels of PC damage this season. Effect of a low fruit year on the next year's arthropod populations. Japanese beetle migration. An approach to aphid infestations. Unexplained leaf burn possibly from an over-application of / sensitivity to neem. Benefits of backpack sprayers. Approaches to sooty blotch/fly speck: neem and fermented horsetail tea, baking soda, etc.
If you would like to hear the call recording, dial (712) 432-1284, then enter this access code: 868736. Each week's recording will be available via telephone until it is erased by the following week's call.
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Notes from June 12, 2008 call.
Participants: (10 total)
Bill Wright, Green Bay, WI; Deirdre Birmingham, Mineral Point, WI; Peter Johnson, Waupaca, WI; Bob Willard, Rochester, WI; Doug Waples, Soldier, IA; Tom Galazen, Bayfield, WI; Lisa DiPietro, Madison, WI; Michael Phillips, Groveton, NH; two growersdid not announce their names.
Discussion topics:
Tree phenology and weather in the Midwest/Northeast. Surround: in rainy weather; in combination with AzaDirect or Pyganic; when to stop applications. When to use Dipel on moth larvae. When to discontinue sulfur sprays for scab. When to hang red spheres for apple maggot. Mowing strategy. The benefits of comfrey in the orchard understory.
If you would like to hear the call recording, dial (712) 432-1284, then enter this access code: 868736. Each week's recording will be available via telephone until it is erased by the following week's call.
Notes from June 12, 2008 call.
Participants: (10 total)
Bill Wright, Green Bay, WI; Deirdre Birmingham, Mineral Point, WI; Peter Johnson, Waupaca, WI; Bob Willard, Rochester, WI; Doug Waples, Soldier, IA; Tom Galazen, Bayfield, WI; Lisa DiPietro, Madison, WI; Michael Phillips, Groveton, NH; two growersdid not announce their names.
Discussion topics:
Tree phenology and weather in the Midwest/Northeast. Surround: in rainy weather; in combination with AzaDirect or Pyganic; when to stop applications. When to use Dipel on moth larvae. When to discontinue sulfur sprays for scab. When to hang red spheres for apple maggot. Mowing strategy. The benefits of comfrey in the orchard understory.
If you would like to hear the call recording, dial (712) 432-1284, then enter this access code: 868736. Each week's recording will be available via telephone until it is erased by the following week's call.
Notes from June 5, 2008 call.
Participants: (10 total)
Bill Wright, Green Bay, WI; Deirdre Birmingham, Mineral Point, WI; Harry Hoch, La Crescent, MN; Peter Johnson, Waupaca, WI; Ron Schaeffer, Chippewa Falls, WI; Bob Willard, Rochester, WI; Lisa DiPietro, Madison, WI; Michael Phillips, Groveton, NH; two growers did not announce their names.
Discussion topics:
Tree/insect phenology and weather in the Midwest/Northeast. Moth larvae in shoots. Surround and azadirachtin (Neemix) for PC: using in combination with trap trees, using as repellents, when to apply. Thinning: preliminary reports on this season’s thinning strategies in some orchards. Possible explanations for a tree with blooms only on one main branch. Uses of molasses and sugar. Degree-day count in La Crescent, MN. “The scab dance” at Hoch Orchard.
If you would like to hear the call recording, dial (712) 432-1284, then enter this access code: 868736. Each week’s recording will be available until it is erased by the following week’s call.
Notes from May 29, 2008 call.
Participants: (11 total) Bill Wright, Green Bay, WI; Tom Galazen, Bayfield, WI; Sam Atkins, Bayfield, WI; Ken Mandley, Turtle Lake, WI; Deirdre Birmingham, Mineral Point, WI; Doug Waples, Soldier, IA; Harry Hoch, La Crescent, MN; Jim Lindemann, McFarland, WI; Lisa DiPietro, Madison, WI; Michael Phillips, Groveton, NH; one grower did not announce their name.
Discussion topics:
Tree phenology and weather in the Midwest/Northeast. Altered relationship between tree phenolgy and insect phenology due to cool spring. An unexpected change in Michael’s scab management plan. Connections for monitoring insect events and IPM advice (see below). Managing potato leaf hopper. Biological mowing: optimal times and methods. Managing moths: granulosis virus, Entrust, etc. USDA study on pesticide use in both conventional and organic apples. Michaels cost per acre on spray materials. PC management strategies: azadirachtin, Surround, Pyganic, etc. Sulfur predicted to be possibly limited/more expensive next year. Post-infection activity of lime sulfur. Managing tent caterpillars: manual removal, BT, etc.
A note from Michael: We mentioned a few connections for monitoring insect events and IPM advice (which often includes some “organic nuggets” to the discerning reader) in the talk today. Here are the web links, with additional contributions from Deirdre:
Scaffolds, Cornell’s apple newsletter
http://www.nysaes.cornell.edu/ent/scafolds
Fruit CAT Alert from Michigan
http://www.ipm.msu.edu/fruit-cat.htm
EnviroWeather (scab tracking)
http://www.enviroweather.msu.edu/home_map.asp
Wisconsin Pest Bulletin (click Fruits)
http://pestbulletin.wi.gov/index.jsp
Illinois Fruit and Vegetable Bulletin
http://www.ipm.uiuc.edu/ifvn/index.html
If you would like to hear the call recording, dial (712) 432-1284, then enter this access code: 868736. Each week’s recording will be available until it is erased by the following week’s call.
Notes from May 22, 2008 call.
Participants: (9 total) Peter Johnson, Waupaca, WI; Dierdre Birmingham, Mineral Point, WI; Tom Galazen, Bayfield, WI; Doug Waples, Soldier, IA; Bob Willard, Rochester, WI; Harry Hoch, La Crescent, MN; John Aue, Richland Center, WI; Lisa DiPietro, Madison, WI; Michael Phillips, Groveton, NH
Discussion Topics:
Tree phenology in the Midwest and Northeast. Insect sightings in WI. IPM field guides. Building fungal/soil health. Michael’s time breakdown (by percentage) for orchard management tasks. Scab situation: majority of spores are mature, but few periods of spore release have occurred. Timing of sulfur sprays. Lime sulfur activity on active lesions. Using neem after the accelerated phase of scab. Zinc/boron deficiency . CM management time window. Questions about how abnormal weather affects pest populations and pest management strategies. CM management strategies. Suppliers of organic amendments, insecticides, and fungicides. Soil testing labs
If you would like to hear the call recording, dial (712) 432-1284, then enter this access code: 868736. Each week’s recording will be available until it is erased by the following week’s call. You can also download a recording of the call below.
Notes from May 15, 2008 call.
Participants: (16 total)Bill Wright, Green Bay, WI, Patty McManus, Madison, WI, Peter Johnson, Waupaca, WI, Sam Atkins, Bayfield, WI, Dierdre Birmingham, Mineral Point, WI, Rob Hartman, location unknown, Tom Galazen, Bayfield, WI, Ken Mandley, Turtle Lake, WI, Doug Waples, Soldier, IA, Jim Lindemann, McFarland, WI, Peter Werts, Bayfield, WI, Paul Rasch, Solon, IA, Bob Willard, Rochester, WI, Harry Hoch, La Crescent, MN, Lisa DiPietro, Madison, WI, Michael Phillips, Groveton, NH.
Discussion Topics:
Weather and apple tree stage in the Midwest and in New Hampshire. Supporting wild pollinators. Spring as an important time for tree nutrient take-up. Surround: spraying before pink; spraying at petal fall; frequency of sprays; mixing with sulfur or Entrust or neem oil. Importance of trap trees when using Surround for PC. Managing internal feeders (CM, LAW, OFM): CM virus, Dipel, Entrust, mating disruption, Trichogramma wasps. Use of table salt for thinning.
Here is a word from Michael aimed at abetting the conversation:
The beauty of this weekly call arrangement amongst organic-minded apple growers is the chance to compare observations of what has worked (and not worked!) in your orchard. It’s fine for me to take the role of “talking head” and roll through what I have learned about holistic orcharding. Yet our time together becomes that much more powerful when we interact and explore fruit-growing nuance. You can do this in a few ways. Do email me with observations on varietal vigor, insect happenings, weather patterns, soil test results, spray needs, specific queries, and what have you. That way – if you’re hesitant about too many folks speaking at once – I can still weave in your contributions. My email is michael@herbsandapples.com Second, if you do have a take on the subject at hand, regardless if your action was successful or an outright blunder, speak boldly. This is where we fine tune nuance, and with subtler methods particularly, we very much need to understand the background underlying every righteous-sounding idea. Lastly, encourage others in the fruit tree network to get involved. A number of experienced growers who filled in orchard profiles have yet to join us. The option of hearing the call later at your convenience is great but let’s not let that hinder live-and-inspired exploration. Yes, this talking hour sacrifices a valuable working hour. Yes, we’re all too busy to justify even a single moment inside on a fine day. But remember this: Curculio plot all the time . . . and I won’t even tell you what borers do . . . so now’s the time to put our human brains together and outsmart the whole lot. Viva la Compagnie!
If you would like to hear the call recording, dial (712) 432-1284, then enter this access code: 868736. Each week’s recording will be available until it is erased by the following week’s call. If you want to download recordings of the Organic Apple Grower’s Hour, contact Lisa DiPietro at ldipietro@wisc.edu or 608.265.3637.
Notes from May 8, 2008 call.
Participants: (13 total) Bill Wright, Brown Co Extension, WI; Jim Lindemann, McFarland, WI; Doug Waples, Soldier IA; Tom Galazen, Bayfield, WI; Linda Hezel, Kearney, MO; Deirdre Birmingham, Mineral Point, WI; Sam Atkins, Bayfield, WI; Harry Hoch, LaCrescent, MN; Bob Willard, Rochester, WI; Patty McManus, Madison, WI; Lisa DiPietro, Madison, WI; John Aue, Richland Center, WI; Michael Phillips, Groveton, NH.
Discussion Topics:
The stage of growth of apples in Midwest and NH. Sightings of oblique banded leaf roller in 3rd instar, rosy apple aphid, mite predators, flower thrips. Wetting periods/spore release at night. Problems with some university organic apple research. Thinning effect of lime sulfur. Organic orchard yields. Fertilization: ramial wood chips, fish spray, compost, compost tea, manure, Gro Pro, etc.. Organic regulations for compost. Disease resistant trees: single gene resistance vs. horizontal resistance, favorite scab resistant varieties. Honeycrisp and calcium problems. Compost tea and insect suppression
If you would like to hear the call recording, dial (712) 432-1284, then enter this access code: 868736. Each week’s recording will be available until it is erased by the following week’s call. If you want to download recordings of the Organic Apple Grower’s Hour, contact Lisa DiPietro at ldipietro@wisc.edu or 608.265.3637.
Notes from May 1, 2008 call.
Participants: (16 total)
Bill Wright, Brown Co Extension, WI; Jim Lindemann, McFarland, WI; Doug Waples, Soldier IA; Tom Galazen, Bayfield, WI; Maury Wills, Adel, IA; Linda Hezel, Kearney, MO; Paul Rasch, Solon, IA; Deirdre Birmingham, Mineral Point, WI; Dan Kelly, Canton, MO; Sam Atkins, Bayfield, WI; Peter Johnson, Waupaca, WI; Harry Hoch, LaCrescent, MN; Lisa DiPietro, Madison, WI; John Aue, Richland Center, WI; Michael Phillips, Groveton, NH; (one participant did not announce their name).
Discussion Topics:
The stage of growth of apples in IA, MN, WI, MO, and NH. Providing early spring forage for wild bees. Degree-day tracking for scab. Targeting definite spore release events by monitoring rainfall, temperatures.
Using lime sulfur as a kickback material. Thinning strategies: lime sulfur and fish oil. Increasing the apple tree’s systemic resistance to infection. Colonizing leaf surfaces with beneficial organisms using compost tea, Serenade. Penn State study of the effectiveness of several organic scab materials. Study showing fruit sprayed with fewer chemicals contain more anthocyanins (which are beneficial to health). Cedar apple rust on scab free varieties. Managing diseases on non-bearing trees. Using Dipel, oil, for red banded leaf roller and green pug moth
If you would like to hear the call recording, dial (712) 432-1284, then enter this access code: 868736. Each week’s recording will be available until it is erased by the following week’s call. If you want to download recordings of the Organic Apple Grower’s Hour, contact Lisa DiPietro at ldipietro@wisc.edu or 608.265.3637
Notes from April 24, 2008 call.
Participants (13 total):
Jim Lindemann, McFarland, WI, Ron Schaeffer, Chippewa Falls, WI, Dierdre Birmingham, Mineral Point, WI, Harry Hoch, La Crescent, MN, Tom Galazen, Bayfield, WI, Doug Waples, Soldier, IA, Bob Willard, Rochester, WI, Peter Johnson, Waupaca, WI, Linda Hezel, Kearney, MO, Bill Wright, Green Bay, WI, John Aue, Richland Center, WI, Lisa DiPietro, Madison, WI, Michael Phillips, Groveton, NH
Discussion Topics:
Determining whether participants' orchards are at similar points in the season: Growers reported on the stage of growth of their apples, how many degree days they had accumulated, and how much precipitation they had recently recorded. From the reports, we learned that callers' orchards were generally at similar points, with one orchard in cool Northern WI being behind the others.
Call Orientation: Michael emphasized that he considers himself to be one voice in a circle of very knowledgeable people; he invited growers to share their insights during the hour. He also mentioned that since participants have widely varying philosophies on apple growing, he hopes that everyone will be willing to listen to different perspectives.
Michel requested that growers tell him of any site that they might use to track their degree days. This will help him to stay informed about the what growers in the Midwest are experiencing.
Reducing the need to spray sulfur by promoting leaf decomposition and supporting the soil biology: Michael noted that sulfur based disease programs can vary greatly; from 2-4 sprays to 24 sprays. Using many sulfur sprays can damage the health of the orchard ecosystem. He pointed growers to his websites, HerbsAndApples.com and, for more information on managing disease and for a graph of the “fungal curve.”(which can be found within the orcharding article entitled “Honoring the Orchard Ecosystem”).
Michael explained that as we rapidly go into spring, it is the time to complete the orchard sanitation effort. Flail mowing, compost spreading, and liquid fish sprays will encourage leaf decomposition. Compost and liquid fish help to activate beneficial soil organisms, including a fungus that decomposes scab. Micheal recommends liquid fish over fish emulsion as it has more beneficial components. (The February newsletter found on GrowOrganicApples.com details fish products and provides source links.)
Michael has also introduced neem oil to help him reduce sulfur sprays. He uses raw neem oil because it has important components that neem formulations lack. Because raw neem oil solidifies when cool, the oil must be warmed before using it in cool spring weather, and the spray water must be somewhat warm as well.
When Michael does use sulfur (about 2-4 times a season) he uses micronized sulfur. He uses about 10 lbs micronized sulfur per acre. For those who may be anticipating a major release of spores at one time (60-70% spore release) he recommends up to the 15 lb rate. Michael does not recommend lime sulfur or copper – except in certain extenuating circumstances – because he considers these to be too damaging to beneficials in the soil.
Michael mentioned that due to consistent snow cover this past winter, ascospores will probably be maturing more quickly this year. John Aue concurred, and emphasized that this condition highlights the need to get the scab ascospore dose down.
The need for more research of unconventional methods. Michael noted that he is having success with his holistic approach, but that there is a frustrating lack of research to support and confirm the work of holistic orchardists. John Aue suggested that growers conduct experiments on their own orchards to see if they can observe any benefits to trying a more holistic approach. The research pages at GrowOrganicApples.com offer some ideas and initial results that Michael hopes to see considerably expanded in the years ahead as more growers become aware of this effort.
Reducing deer damage. If one wishes to stay in the orchard business for the long term, Michael asserts that one must get a deer fence. One grower reported having success with a 10-12 foot, very thick hedgerow as a barrier to deer.
