Register Now! 2022 Hazelnut IPM Workshop

Posted on May 13, 2022 by Melanie Filotas

Looking for a chance to refresh your knowledge of Hazelnut IPM? New to growing or scouting hazelnuts? Join OMAFRA specialists Melanie Filotas and Jenny Liu for a virtual Hazelnut IPM Workshop on Friday May 27 from 9:30 am to noon. To attend, register at the link below by Wednesday May 25.

Register in advance for this meeting:
https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwufuCrrD4iHtMhRyyjwuL34pXZF5saHmZ-

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

This workshop will include an overview of hazelnut phenology, monitoring techniques for various insect and disease pests, abiotic issues that can be mistaken for pests, tools of the trade, safety protocols and tips for success. We will discuss key characteristics of the most important pests of hazelnuts, however for in depth descriptions of life cycle and management of insects and diseases in hazelnuts, refer to the pre-recorded presentations on available on the ONhortcrops YouTube channel. To access the full playlist with all 7 videos, click here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjTx-zm9InXBGOoshVGt0eUWT9FQ3LJa- Time will be allocated during the live Zoom workshop to answer any questions attendees may have about the pre-recorded presentations.

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Ginseng Crop Update – Pest Management During Emergence – May 13, 2022

Posted on May 13, 2022 by Sean Westerveld

With the sudden switch to summer-like weather and plenty of sunshine to heat up the soil, ginseng is rapidly emerging this week. More humid weather is expected over the weekend, and this will increase the risk of foliar diseases, especially Alternaria. The current forecast suggests rainfall amounts will be relatively light Sunday and Monday, which should keep the risk of foliar Phytophthora lower, but a thunderstorm accompanied by even a brief period of heavy rain could increase the risk.

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Lavender Crop Update – Green-Up of Plants – May 13, 2022

Posted on May 13, 2022 by Sean Westerveld

The warm weather over the past week should lead to rapid green-up of lavender plants. Plants without any winter kill should be obviously green with new shoots beginning to expand at the tips. For other plants, recovery from winter kill has been slow, mainly due to colder than normal weather in April and the first week of May. There have been many concerns raised by growers about uncovered angustifolia cultivars that appear to be severely damaged or even killed. ‘Super Blue’ appears to be particularly damaged.  A couple of weeks ago I suggested these will likely come back from the base and along the stems if the stems are still green inside. While I expected a more rapid recovery and shoots emerging all along the green stems, it still appears that plants will come back at the base, even if recovery along the stems is not as expected.

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Ginseng Crop Update – April 29, 2022

Posted on April 29, 2022 by Sean Westerveld

Ginseng emergence continues to be slow compared to last year, which probably protected the plants from significant freezes the last two nights. Looking at Growing Degree Days (GDD) Base 5°C for the spring up to April 30 at Delhi (including the forecast for tomorrow), we will likely have accumulated around 100 GDD this year. Last year, we had accumulated 170 GDD by April 30. At this time of year, it is normal to accumulate around 5 GDD per day, which means crop growth is likely around 14 days behind last year.

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Ginseng Scout Training – June 8, 2022

Posted on April 28, 2022 by Sean Westerveld

After a two-year hiatus, Ginseng Scout Training will return with an in-field workshop on Wednesday, June 8, 2022 (rain date, June 9). This workshop is open to growers, scouts and industry representatives looking for training or a refresher on diagnosing and tracking the main insect pests, diseases and disorders of ginseng. Training will also include the basics of crop scouting for ginseng, pest timing, and specific issues to watch out for in 2022.

Where: C&R Atkinson Farms Ltd., 228 Charlotteville Road 1, 2 km west of Forestville. Look for a small garden near the road a few hundred metres west of the driveway.

When: Wednesday, June 8 (rain date of Thursday, June 9)

Time: 1:00 to 3:00 pm

The workshop is free, but registration is required. To register, contact the Agricultural Information Contact Centre at 1-877-424-1300 or ag.info.omafra@ontario.ca. Note: a minimum of 10 participants is required or the workshop will be cancelled. Registrants will be contacted if the rain date or cancellation is necessary.

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Assessing Crop Progress and Winter Kill – Lavender Crop Update – April 28, 2022

Posted on April 28, 2022 by Sean Westerveld

This is usually the most stressful period for lavender growers. Everything else is turning green but the lavender is still looking grey in many cases, which can often lead to the conclusion that the plants have suffered severe winter kill. It is generally too early to determine the full extent of winter damage but there are a few clues that growers can use to reduce fears of total crop loss.

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