Happy Friday Dear Readers!
I hope this week has treated you well, and you received some rain. I must admit, I was caught in a quick vineyard downpour a couple of days ago. Currently, we are sitting at 11.7mm for June.
May saw ½ the rain amount than the historical average. The Precipitation and GDD information is attached at the bottom of this week’s update.
Here we go!
PEST ALERT!
Phylloxera: by Deb Moreau at AAFC:
In the past few weeks, phylloxera
crawlers were seen emerging from the soil in L’Acadie Blanc blocks and
early leaf galls on varieties that are known to be susceptible to leaf galling
(e.g., Frontenac). These observations are earlier than usual.
Soil temperatures (35 cm) have been well
above average for this season to date which is likely a significant contributor
to early soil emergence.
Visual inspections for galls on leaves should be ongoing now.
Control: If needed, Movento is a registered product that is
available for conventional systems (not organic). It acts as a systemic (the
vine will uptake in roots and leaves) and has good efficacy, long-lasting (30
days between applications). It will act on phylloxera when they feed.
Application Time: Early season application will be more effective in suppressing
populations than if applied later in the season.
Pesticide Alert: Movento can also be toxic to bees. Do not spray at bloom or when bees
are active.
Cultural controls can include creating
reservoirs for beneficial species like green lacewings, syrphid flies and other
generalist predators and parasitoids.
Please Remember:
While completing your field work, scout your sites for Phomopsis and Erineum Mite as well. They may already be present in the vineyard.
Phenology and Vineyard Work Update:
The Valley:
- Vigorous Varieties (NY Muscat; Marquette) are at about 40cm- 45cm in shoot length and between 6-8 leaves separated.
- Chardonnay and Pinot Noir are about 30cm in shoot length and about 5-6 leaves separated.
Kentville Research Station:
- Marquette: 10 leaves separated;
- L’Acadie: 7 leaves separated;
- NY Muscat: 8 leaves separated.
Toward the Malagash Area:
· Last week, growth was reported at 3-4 leaves separated on 10cm shoots.
o This is variety and
weather dependent of course.
Depending on your site, growers are at
the suckering stage -actively suckering and some already completed.
Upcoming Events: Cover Cropping Info Session
Date: 24 July 2024
Location: Benjamin Bridge Winery
Time: 5:30-7pm
Admission: Complimentary
You are more than welcome to sip on a glass of wine during the session. The Benjamin Bridge staff will be on hand during the event.
Dr. Kevin Ker will be arriving for another visit next week; We will be seeing the Yarmouth-Bear River area. I am looking forward to meeting the growers and chatting all things vineyard.
Thank you all for your time this week, and I hope you enjoy the weekend.
Cheers!
Katarina
GDD and Precipitation up to 13 June 2024.
|
Growing degree days, base of 10 °C
starting on April 1 |
|
|
Current Year |
10-Year Average |
|
185.5 |
140.2 |
|
Month |
25-Year
Average (mm) |
Current
Year (mm) |
|
April |
81.5 |
54.0 |
|
May |
74.0 |
29.8 |
|
June |
95.5 |
11.7 ** |
|
July |
81.3 |
|
|
August |
94.5 |
|
|
September |
104.1 |
|
|
October |
115.8 |
|
*Growing degree days, calculated using the average method, and Sine degree days up to June 13. Sine degree days are calculated using the single sine method.
*Information provided by Jeff Franklin and the Kentville Research Station team.