Note: Those who have participated on the calls thus far can attest to the fact that background noise is very disruptive; the opening of one creaky refrigerator door can disrupt the flow of conversation! We suggest using the mute function offered by our conference call provider. Press * 6 to mute or unmute your line.
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:
1. The stage of growth of apples in IA, MN, WI, MO, and NH
2. Providing early spring forage for wild bees
3. Degree-day tracking for scab
4. Targeting definite spore release events by monitoring rainfall, temperatures
5. Using lime sulfur as a kickback material
6. Thinning strategies: lime sulfur and fish oil
7. Increasing the apple tree’s systemic resistance to infection
8. Colonizing leaf surfaces with beneficial organisms using compost tea, Serenade
9. Penn State study of the effectiveness of several organic scab materials
10. Study showing fruit sprayed with fewer chemicals contain more anthocyanins (which are beneficial to health)
11. Cedar apple rust on scab free varieties
12. Managing diseases on non-bearing trees
13. 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.
* You will hear on the recording that when the general call was over, the call organizers stayed on the line to discuss how the first two calls have gone. We think they are going really well! Let us know if you have any suggestions for making the calls even better. Contact Lisa DiPietro at or 608.265.3637 with your suggestions.
Organic Apple Grower’s Hour: May 1 Summary
