Michigan State University Extension

Blueberry Newsletter - Blueberry Bites

View From The Field

Bluejay - Paw Paw

Bluecrop - Paw Paw

Bluecrop - Fennville

Upcoming Events

What?	When?	Where?
Blueberry Field Day	September 6, 10-3	Trevor Nichol's Research And Extension Center

Horticulture Update

Ripening is progressing quickly. Duke is near the middle of harvest, while Draper and Envoy are nearing their first harvest with very large-sized fruit. We observed a few ripe berries on Calypso and Bluecrop as well.

While the rain has been more typical and welcome, the high temperatures call for irrigation to be closely monitored to ensure proper berry sizing and ripening. Grey mold (Botrytis cinerea) has been developing quickly on fruit that we returned to our lab, be sure to follow Tim’s comments and recommendations on sprays for fruit rot (anthracnose and Botrytis) prevention from the past few week’s updates, especially for susceptible cultivars.

Insect Update

With the harvest season underway, growers need to be attentive to SWD and blueberry maggot monitoring and protection. Keep coverage after rain showers too unless the harvest is in just a few days. This week we have also seen Japanese beetles out in some farms, congregating on bushes. They are controlled by most of the treatments for the fly pests, except most pyrethroids will break down more quickly with UV and high heat, so keep a lookout for the beetles especially at field borders and where there is irrigated turf.

Don't Guess, Test!

Growers have been submitting samples to the diagnostic clinic that range from stem blights to viral symptoms. Remember the Michigan Blueberry Commission has a program to subsidize any testing through MSU Plant & Pest Diagnostics. Click below to get more information about how to submit a sample.

Diagnostic Testing Form

Pictured here is a blueberry with blueberry mosaic virus. While this virus test is still in the works, many other virus tests are able to be screened by the lab!

Blueberry Bites is compiled by Cheyenne Sloan, Blueberry and Small Fruit Educator

Contributors: Rufus Isaacs, Tim Miles, Josh VanderWeide, Cheyenne Sloan

Questions? Comments?

MSUE Small Fruit Educators

Blueberry and Small Fruit Educator - Cheyenne Sloan

Small Fruit Educator - Carlos Garcia Salazar

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