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Pest/Disease Management

Invasive Vineyard Pest’s Preferred Host Plant is Everywhere

Two separate serendipitous events occurred recently that brought a plant back to the forefront of my attention. First, a few weeks ago a colleague asked me to confirm the species of a tree growing near a public garden. The garden was struggling to grow, and a cursory identification of the tree marked it as Black Walnut (Juglans nigra). Having earned …

Destructive Vineyard Pest, Spotted lanternfly Spreads to Illinois

The Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDA) has confirmed the first detection of spotted lanternfly (Lycorma deliculata) in Illinois. This invasive pest has been in the US since 2014 but has been working its way across the mid-Atlantic states finally reaching the Midwest and the Land of Lincoln. The Good Growing blog describes this insect and its life cycle while the focus of …

Pierce’s Disease Now Expanding to Higher Elevations in Georgia

As I have reported over the last 2-3 years, we are observing warming winter temperatures, and as a result, we are also observing increasing levels of Pierce’s disease (PD). With colder winter temperatures, the bacteria that causes PD, Xylella fastidiosa, can actually be “cured” from the vine. With warmer temperatures, the bacteria survives and kills infected plants. In the past, elevations …

California Table Grape Growers Estimate 25 Million Boxes Lost to Hurricane

Hurricane Hilary delivered wind and rain to many of California’s table grape vineyards at peak harvest time for most of the 90 varieties grown in the state. The immediate aftermath of the hurricane brought additional rain and humidity to many growing areas, compounding problems and loss. “The impact of the hurricane and its aftermath is devastating and heartbreaking,” said Kathleen …

California Growers Face High Mildew Pressure, Delayed Grape Harvest

It’s been a while since California growers have experienced a wet year with a plentiful snowpack and water supply.  Weather conditions this season, though, have pushed harvest back for most grape growers and powdery mildew pressure has been unusually high for growers that didn’t stay on their spray programs with just the right timing.  Watch this brief interview with UCCE …

Drosophila and Sour Rot Management in Georgia Vineyards

With the increase in sugars, veraison kicks off the period to start managing drosophilid flies (e.g. spotted wing drosophila (SWD)), which can considerably help suppress sour rot in your vulnerable grapes. The drosophilid flies are active nearly year round in these parts, but near veraison, as the brix levels in wine grapes reach approximately 15 degrees Brix, the grapes become attractive (and thus susceptible) to SWD. …

Long-Term Biological Control of Japanese Beetle

Although Japanese beetle (JB) adults continue to be active throughout August to early September, we shared good news last week that beetle numbers on most host plants/crops are beginning to decline. The gradual reduction in adult populations is due to several factors, including the end of local emergence “curve” this time of year, but also reflects the impact of several …

Japanese Beetle Impact on Minnesota Wine Grapes this Year

As of this week, and with the record number of days over 90F this summer, the Japanese beetle (JB) is rapidly approaching the end of its annual emergence curve. As of Monday, July 30th , we will be between 75-90% emergence for southern Minnesota. Interestingly, due to the “urban heat island” effect in the Metro area, JB development is more advanced …

Summer Considerations for Grapevine Pruning

University of Georgia Extension  — We often think about pruning as a winter activity. However, this process starts much earlier in the year. Vines under stress are much more easily identified during the summer. Residual effects from cold damage or trunk disease issues, while they can appear early in the season, are often becoming more apparent as we move forward …

Losing Freedom may be Positive When it Comes to this Grapevine Rootstock

The thought of losing freedom sounds awful; however when it comes to the grapevine ‘Freedom’ rootstock, it may be a good idea, particularly for growers in the San Joaquin Valley.  Watch this brief interview with UCCE Viticulture Farm Advisor Karl Lund as he explains why and explores alternative options. Please thank this video’s sponsor Ranch Systems for their industry support.

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