Organic Apple Grower’s Hour: August 14 Summary

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:

1. Determining when Russets are ready to harvest
2. Current events in Michael’s orchard: record rainfall continues, fungal problems still minimal, effect of heavy rains on insect pests
3. Comparing and contrasting IPM and organic approaches for Lepidoptera, plum curculio, apple maggot, etc.
4. Soil testing and leaf tissue analysis
5. Light tilling and seeding of a cover crop outside of the drip zone to enhance soil and encourage trees to harden off
6. Scab resistant varieties and the 80 world-wide races of scab
7. Developing new apple varieties: at research stations and at your own orchard
8. Does deep soil nutrition decrease pre-harvest drop?
9. A vibrant description of the Haralson apple
10. “Bonkers,” a Lost Nation Orchard Variety
11. Using cardboard bands around trees to trap and kill codling moth
12. Is there a trap tree for codling moth?
13. Using “haphazard mulching” to mimic forest floor diversity
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