Can water applied to cherry trees for frost control lead to problems with powdery mildew? After being asked the question by tree fruit growers, Dr. Gary Grove, plant pathologist with Washington State University in Prosser, believed this was worth looking into and did some research. The powdery mildew fungus overwinters as cleistothecia in the fissures of tree barks. The cleistothecia contain the mildew spores, and free water is required to liberate the spores. Just 0.1 of an inch of moisture is needed at a temperature of 50°F for the spores to be released, and this must occur between bud break […]
Current Print Issue
A print subscription is required to view digital issues.
Growing with growers since 1946
