Powdery mildew is a tough disease to control for Pacific Northwest cherry growers, but it’s even tougher for organic growers who have limited fungicides to use. With so few organic tools available, an integrated approach is needed, says a Washington State crop consultant. Understanding the life cycle of cherry powdery mildew, components of your orchard, and what strategies and timing are effective are needed when putting together an integrated program, said Tom Pitts of Washington’s Cascade Agriculture Service during statewide horticultural talks in Wenatchee last December. It’s key to know when a primary infection is going on, Pitts said. Overwintering […]