As discussed in the previous blog post, the season continues to chug
along at a slow pace with buds slowly progressing. On Monday May 11th,
Sajid confirmed that the early block of Duke he is monitoring now has 79-82% of
floral buds are at F2 (bud scales have separated in the flower
buds), as shown in Figure 1. But the medium maturity variety has 20-25% of the floral buds at F2 stage (Figure 2). However, in the block of late variety, buds are swollen but
not yet susceptible to Monilinia blight infection (Figure 3).
Figure 1. Floral buds at F2 stage of development. |
In a field, block or variety (whatever area you
would spray at one time) walk a zig zag (not only the edge) stopping a total of
5-10 times to count floral buds. With each stop, count 10-15 floral buds
on a stem and use that to guesstimate the floral bud stage on that plant.
Use your 5-10 plant guesstimates to determine the average floral bud stage of
the field, block or variety. Remember, you want to protect any planting
that has 40% or higher of floral buds at F2 (Figure 1 above).
As a reminder, these recommendations are based on
conditions observed in the Annapolis Valley, Nova Scotia and may not be
applicable to your location. The decision to treat should be based on
appropriate conditions observed on your farm and in particular
fields/blocks. For detailed information please check out
Perennia's Management of Mummy Berry Disease in
Highbush Blueberry.
A complete list of registered products can be found in Perennia's Highbush Blueberry Disease and Insect Management
Guide.