March 15, 2017

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Crop Management and Pollination

Featured stories covering crop management and pollination in this issue.

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Elena Armenta looks for dried sweet cherries that may contain pits or otherwise should not be packed last year at the Sunrise Fresh Dried Fruit and Nut Co. processing facility in Linden, California. She has worked for the business for almost a decade. (TJ Mullinax/Good Fruit Grower)

Fire leads to new way of cherry drying business

Ripe Cabernet Sauvignon grapes hang on the vine before harvest at Klipsun Vineyards near Benton City, Washington. Many winemakers believe hang time gives them the best fruit flavors, but new research shows it affects sugars more than flavors. The ensuing higher alcohol content then brings out the flavors. (TJ Mullinax/Good Fruit Grower file photo)

Ripe fruit make the best wine, but why it does may surprise you

The pattern on the wing of the European cherry fruit fly, Rhagoletis cerasi, can be used to distinguish it from native fruit flies. (Courtesy Steve Paiero, University of Guelph)

Old World pest, New World wary

Help for blossom thinning

Matt Whiting shows a netted cherry limb in early March 2015 during a mechanical pollination trial held in Prosser, Washington. The netting prevents natural pollination. {TJ Mullinax/Good Fruit Grower}

Researcher convinced he can replace honeybees

Food Safety Act - FDA

Where can I get training to be prepared for FSMA?

This young apple tree in an orchard block at Penn State University was killed by a mysterious disorder known as Rapid Apple Decline. Researchers across the Northeast are teaming up to investigate the cause of the decline, which is identified by necrosis starting near the graft union that quickly kills young, dwarf trees. (Courtesy Kari Peter)

What’s killing these trees?

Feeling blue in Michigan

These 2-year-old Modi/Malling 9 trees were meticulously trained and pruned in summer only. The two branchless leaders of each tree developed many fruiting units. There has been no need to touch these trees in winter. Photo courtesy Bas van den Ende

Don’t invest in unwanted shoot growth

Susan Cobey, a honeybee insemination expert, and her husband, Tim Lawrence, breed honeybees in Coupeville, Washington, as part of Washington State University’s efforts to improve the genetic health of the fruit industry’s most important pollinator. Cobey affixes colored tags to the inseminated queens. She also slightly clips one of the queen’s wings, just enough to notice upon close inspection but enough not to stop the queen from flying. (Ross Courtney/Good Fruit Grower)

Fighting honeybee decline with instrumental insemination — Video

A new, old bee

A honey bee visits a yellow coneflower (Ratibida pinnata). (Courtesy Logan Rowe)

How busy are your bees?

A sweat bee visits gray goldenrod (Solidago nemoralis). Gray goldenrod was a midsummer favorite of native bees and honey bees in the trial. (Courtesy Logan Rowe)

What wildflowers are best to attract bees?

The difference between warm (2015) and cool (2011) years has big impacts on vineyard management, from timing of bloom and harvest to making efficient use of your workforce and controlling pests. (Chart shows accumulated growing degree days measured at research vineyard in Prosser, Washington) Source: Washington State University Irrigated Agriculture Research and Extension Center

Following your vines, not your calendar, makes for more successful vineyards

Lacey Lybeck, a young grower from Pasco, Washington