By Dario J. Chavez, Jeff Cook and Tom G. Beckman Rootstocks are important for fruit production as they provide required protection for soil pests and pathogens. The most predominant peach rootstocks in the Southeastern United States are Guardian (Alabama, Georgia and South Carolina) and Flordaguard (Florida). Guardian (BY520-9) was released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service (USDA …
Chilling Out: Alabama Fruit Tree Producers Enjoying Cold January
By Clint Thompson Alabama’s fruit tree producers have enjoyed the cold temperatures in January. They have provided much-needed chilling hours that the trees need to mature. That’s according to Edgar Vinson, assistant research professor and Extension specialist in the Department of Horticulture at Auburn University. He pointed out during Monday’s Alabama Extension Commercial Horticulture Facebook webinar how much ground was …
Georgia Peach Producer: We’re Racking Up Chill Hours
By Clint Thompson Cold January temperatures have brought increased chilling hours for Georgia’s peach crop. Growers like Drew Echols, owner of Jaemor Farms and president of the Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association, are elated about the recent cooler temperatures being felt throughout the state. “All the peach growers, we’re pretty excited. Chill hours, that’s been the question mark for …
Weed Control in Peach Orchards
By Clint Thompson Weed control in peach orchards is an important management tactic. This is important for young and older orchards, says Wayne Mitchem, N.C. State Extension Associate and Southern Region Small Fruit Consortium Coordinator. “The idea is to try to minimize competition so we can maximize that tree growth in those formative years of the orchard so we can …
San Jose Scale Management: Horticultural Oil Applications Key for Peach Producers
By Clint Thompson Horticultural oil applications are essential this winter for peach producers hoping to manage San Jose scale insects. Brett Blaauw, assistant professor at the University of Georgia (UGA) College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, says the warm winter conditions across Southeast aid the scale’s development. Growers can ill-afford to miss an application. “Getting ready for their dormant applications …
Chill Hour Accumulation: Alabama Peaches Still Behind
By Clint Thompson Cooler temperatures in January have provided hope for peach producers yearning for chill hour accumulation. Though Alabama’s crop is still behind the total from last year, it still is progressing, says Edgar Vinson, assistant research professor and Extension specialist in the Department of Horticulture at Auburn University. “We’ve progressed some in the amount of chill. We are …
Alabama Extension Offering Peach Insect, Disease Management Chart
Alabama Extension is offering a Peach Insect and Disease Management Chart for peach producers. The tool is a resource growers can carry with them and help manage insects during certain tree cycles. It includes the most common insect pests, including scale, European red mite, lesser peachtree borer and thrips. It also includes what management options growers have for prevention of …
Avoid Fungicide Resistance Development in Peaches
By Clint Thompson Avoiding fungicide resistance in peach production is front and center of Phil Brannen’s presentation this week at the Southeast Regional Fruit and Vegetable Conference in Savannah, Georgia. The University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Fruit Disease Specialist cautions producers about overusing products like Miravis to protect against peach scab disease. “The thing about Miravis that’s tempting is it’s …
Chemistry Rotation Needed to Protect Peaches Against Plum Curculio
By Clint Thompson Southeast peach producers have a handle on plum curculio management. Brett Blaauw, assistant professor at the University of Georgia (UGA) College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, wants to keep it that way. That’s why the UGA specialist continues to encourage rotation of chemistries to prevent insecticide resistance from occurring. Pyrethroids are growers’ best option for management. But …
Warming Up: Unseasonable Temps Not Helping Chilling Requirements for Fruit Trees
By Clint Thompson Unseasonably warm conditions this winter is normal for a La Niña weather pattern. But it’s not what Southeast fruit tree producers want to experience. Not with chilling hours a vital part of the maturation process. Pam Knox, University of Georgia Extension Agricultural Climatologist, said producers will keep an eye on what temperatures the new year brings – …