Update – ONHoppenings Lunch and Learn next Wednesday July 19 @ noon

Posted on July 14, 2023 by Melanie Filotas

Just added! In addition to the content mentioned in this morning’s post, during the July 19 ONHoppenings, Melanie and Evan will be joined by Justin Renkema, an Entomologist with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada who will give a brief introduction a research project he is currently working on looking at spider mite management in hops.

Just a reminder that the next ONHoppenings Lunch and Learn session is scheduled for next Wednesday July 19 at noon. Each ONHoppenings session will feature an initial 30 minute presentation from Melanie and Evan, after which we will open it up for participants to ask questions about any topic pertaining to hops. Topics covered at this months session will include: nutrient deficiency research and the upcoming OMAFRA nutrient deficiency guide, considerations when preparing for harvest, late season pests to watch out for. Participants will then have the opportunity to ask Melanie or Evan questions about agronomics, pests or have general discussion about any timely issue affecting hops. 

Attendance is free and open to everyone, however you must pre-register to receive the meeting log-in details. Register in advance by clicking on this link: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMuc-2tqD8tE9NfKnc-7xfkTBrG84DhwsWq

Anyone wishing to ask questions in advance can email Melanie (melanie.filotas@ontario.ca) or Evan (evan.elford@ontario.ca) by 8:30 the day of the session OR enter it in the question field during registration, and we will do our best to have an answer for during the session. 

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Reminder – ONHoppenings Lunch and Learn next Wednesday July 19 @ noon

Posted on July 14, 2023 by Melanie Filotas

Just a reminder that the next ONHoppenings Lunch and Learn session is scheduled for next Wednesday July 19 at noon. Each ONHoppenings session will feature an initial 30 minute presentation from Melanie and Evan, after which we will open it up for participants to ask questions about any topic pertaining to hops. Topics covered at this months session will include: nutrient deficiency research and the upcoming OMAFRA nutrient deficiency guide, considerations when preparing for harvest, late season pests to watch out for. Participants will then have the opportunity to ask Melanie or Evan questions about agronomics, pests or have general discussion about any timely issue affecting hops. 

Attendance is free and open to everyone, however you must pre-register to receive the meeting log-in details. Register in advance by clicking on this link: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMuc-2tqD8tE9NfKnc-7xfkTBrG84DhwsWq

Anyone wishing to ask questions in advance can email Melanie (melanie.filotas@ontario.ca) or Evan (evan.elford@ontario.ca) by 8:30 the day of the session OR enter it in the question field during registration, and we will do our best to have an answer for during the session. 

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Haskap grower update – spotted wing drosophila active in Ontario

Posted on July 10, 2023 by Melanie Filotas

Spotted wing drosophila (SWD) is an invasive fly from Asia that attacks a wide range of soft-fleshed fruits, including berries, grapes and cherries.  While most flies will only attack damaged or rotting fruit, SWD can lay its eggs in healthy, ripening fruit therefore leading to a much greater risk of contamination of fruit with SWD larvae at harvest. SWD will attack haskap, however in many years haskap escapes significant damage because SWD populations do not typically increase until later in July, after haskap harvest has ended.  

Traps have been set up to monitor for this insect in various berry crops in several areas of Ontario this year: Norfolk, Elgin, Middlesex, Chatham-Kent, Niagara, Waterloo, Wellington, Dundas and Renfrew counties and Temiskaming District. Last week, the first SWD of 2023 were found, with 1 SWD caught in each of five counties.

Summary of SWD trap catches:

Week traps collectedCounty/region where SWD was foundCrops where SWD was trapped
June 17-230
  •  
June 24-300
  •  
July 1-7Elgin, Oxford, Waterloo, Middlesex, Chatham-KentWild hosts, currants, strawberries

Monitoring is funded by the Berry Growers of Ontario. Thanks to the growers, consultants and OMAFRA staff helping with this monitoring!

Once SWD is found in area, all berry crops are at risk, regardless of where traps have been placed.  Finds from last week indicate SWD adults are starting to move from wild hosts to crops. Fortunately, haskap harvest is nearing completion in many areas so berries may escape significant damage. However, growers in areas where SWD has been found who still have 2 or more weeks before harvest is complete should consider controls.

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Ginseng Crop Update – Managing Grubs Without Insecticides – June 28, 2023

Posted on June 28, 2023 by Sean Westerveld

Other than localized storm damage to shade structures over the past few weeks, there are currently no major unusual issues for ginseng. However, prolonged wet, humid and cooler weather over the past week and more wet weather to come this weekend could greatly increase foliar diseases, phytophthora, and slugs. Make sure you are on top of your spray schedule.

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Lavender Crop Update – Considerations During Bloom – June 23, 2023

Posted on June 23, 2023 by Sean Westerveld

Bloom is just beginning in the southwest which is several days later than normal (Figure 1 and 2). The winner this year for earliest blooming cultivar in the plot is “Twickel Purple” (Figure 3).

Figure 1. The cultivar demonstration plot at Simcoe (Norfolk County) on June 23. Although full of colour, only a few blooms are actually open on three of the angustifolia cultivars.

Figure 2. “Super Blue” with the very first blooms at Simcoe on June 23. This is slightly early for dried bundle harvest because some buds are not fully developed yet.

Figure 3. “Twickel Purple” with a tuft of flowers in full bloom.  

Here are some things to consider during the bloom period:

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Ginseng Crop Update – Alternaria, Irrigation and Fertility – June 7, 2023

Posted on June 7, 2023 by Sean Westerveld

Foliar Diseases

Dry weather conditions and low humidity during warm periods have reduced the risk of most diseases of ginseng. However, frost damage in some gardens and plant stress due to dry conditions can result in increased risk of Alternaria and Botrytis, so it is important to remain vigilant in managing foliar disease. These diseases, especially Alternaria, can explode when the weather changes to hotter and more humid conditions.  Cooler temperatures over the next week will hopefully keep the risk somewhat lower. It is important to achieve good spray coverage and to use a rotation of effective products in preparation for higher risk of disease.

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