East Michigan vegetable update – July 25, 2018
Pumpkins and winter squash are setting fruit and sizing quickly. Powdery mildew is just starting to show up, and some fields are looking a little baked from the weeks of hot, dry weather.
Cantaloupe and watermelon are hitting stands in force. Quality is very good, but fruit size is smaller on unirrigated ground.
Pickling cucumber plantings are finishing up and harvests are rolling. Crops are sizing up fast from heat and recent rain can push crops into relish territory fast.
Downy mildew has been confirmed in Berrien County. Preventative fungicides should used in the Bay and Thumb area.
Southeast Michigan vegetable update – July 25, 2018
In cucumbers and melons, downy mildew has been confirmed in Berrien County cucumbers. The dry conditions in our area will hamper downy mildew development, so general protectants like Mancozeb or Bravo should be adequate. Keep an eye out for downy symptoms, especially if you are in an area that has gotten some rain and we start to get more morning dew. If downy is reported closer to our region, I will make an effort to alert growers. For more information on the report and on this year’s recommended products, see MSU Extension plant pathologist Mary Hausbeck’s article, “Downy mildew found in Michigan cucumbers in 2018.”
Central Michigan vegetable update – July 25, 2018
Scout pickling cucumbers closely this week for downy mildew. While there are no reports of downy mildew in the central region, downy mildew has been identified in Berrien County in southwest Michigan. Consider beginning a downy mildew spray program.
Summer squash harvest of continues. Powdery mildew is appearing on many older plantings.
Continue Reading
West central Michigan vegetable update – July 25, 2018
For cucurbits, cucurbit downy mildew was confirmed in Berrien County cucumbers this week. Pickle, cucumber and melon growers from Muskegon County southward should consider applying a downy mildew-specific fungicide such as Ranman or Zampro. Orondis could be considered if a location has had ample rainfall or irrigation that could increase the risk of problems.
Powdery mildew was reported from a west Michigan pumpkin field this week. Quintec and Torino are two powdery mildew fungicides commonly used in Jack O’ Lantern pumpkins, but there are others as well. Check out the helpful table on page 125 of the Midwest Vegetable Production Guide. It is worth a few minutes of your time as there are a number of options from different modes of action (with different costs). Continue Reading
Southwest Michigan vegetable update – July 25, 2018
Cucurbit downy mildew is now present in the area, so it is time to use stronger control products. Morning dew conditions have also been good for powdery mildew to get started. Powdery mildew is of special concern to pumpkin growers; not only will it defoliate the plants exposing fruit to sunburn, but it can also get on the handles, giving a handle-less pumpkin at harvest time. Squash bugs are also in the near future. In large enough numbers, squash bugs will damage fruit and they vector diseases. Continue Reading
