on dormant sampling including economic thresholds for treatment can be found at: www2.ipm.ucanr.edu/agriculture/ almond/dormant-spur-or-first-year-twig-sampling-and- treatment-guidelines. Although it was a drought year and foliar diseases not widespread issues, monitor leaves for shot hole and rust in late October (info at: www2.ipm.ucanr.edu/agriculture/ almond/postharvest). Good pollination is critical in every year. Strong hives (8 frames of bees or better per hive) deliver significantly better pollination than weak hives for a few dollars more per acre. Late fall is a good time to sign a pollination contract (including hive strength language) to lock in that key service ahead of bloom. Waiting for a “deal” for bees might leave you without good pollination in the field next bloom. Consider planting a bee pasture this fall to feed bees next spring. Grower resources and seed available at: www.projectapism.org/seeds-for-bees-for-the-grower.html. Pruning/roping young trees is important to good tree structure and future production. Without careful early pruning and (where needed) roping there is a significant risk of limb breakage through wind torque and/or crop weight. Select a limited number of scaffolds (3, maybe 4) up and down the trunk and as evenly distributed around the trunk as possible. There is no cost savings in skimping on pruning scaffold selection. See a video from Dr. Katherine Jarvis-Shean (UCCE Sac/Solano/Yolo Counties) on pruning young almonds at: www.youtube.com/watch ? v=LraGW0FCbi8. Pruning potted trees planted in late summer this year can be particularly challenging. If trees were not pruned at planting and go into winter with a many scaffolds (with bad angles) near or at the top of the trunk, even with good shoot and trunk growth, consider cutting off all scaffolds and letting the tree push new ones up and down the trunk next spring. There is an excellent chance that you will be happier with the results. Wes Asai, private consultant in the Turlock area and former UCCE Farm Advisor, has a great column on early pruning (growingproduce.com/nuts/how-to-give-your-almond-trees- the-right-support). Finally, great pruning information can be found in the Young Orchard Handbook (sacvalleyorchards. com/manuals/young-orchard-handbook). Is there a “best time” to prune almonds to avoid pruning wound infection ? Recent research in Dr. Florent Trouillas’ lab
November orchard scene. Photo: Franz Niederholzer.
(UC Extension Specialist) showed that pruning in December resulted in less canker disease infection than in the fall. Pruning wounds were most vulnerable to infection right after cutting. Infection susceptibility decreased by 60% at 2 weeks after pruning and 75% after 3 weeks from pruning. In field trials, Topsin-M provided the best pruning wound protection (82% infection reduction). Rain is needed to carry disease spores and allow infection, so cuts should be sprayed ahead of forecast rain. Nematode sampling: Don’t push out an old orchard that you plan to replant in the next couple of years without sampling for nematodes before the orchard goes out. Careful sampling and sample care (nematodes are living things) is important. Consult with your PCA about sampling, analysis and evaluation of the results. Look through orchards to check general appearance of the trees and soil. Local areas of early leaf drop or limited shoot growth may indicate a need for attention. Encourage your PCA/CCA and key employees to do the same and compare notes. This information helps direct work to improve tree performance in certain areas of the orchard, which should improve the bottom line for the whole planting. Best wishes for a productive, restful, and WET fall and winter.
Franz Niederholzer, UCCE Farm Advisor, Colusa and Sutter/ Yuba Counties
4 9
S E P T E M B E R – O C T O B E R 2 0 2 1
Made with FlippingBook - Online Brochure Maker