may-jun-2020

IN YOUR ORCHARD • Prep equipment or line up commercial spray applicators ahead of time. Track kernel fill and hull split initiation so that sprays are properly timed. •NOW females can find new crop (not mummy) almonds once the hull begins to split, but not before. Orchard edges are usually where hull split starts, but the remainder of the orchard often isn’t ready to spray. When blanks on the outside facing trees in the orchard start to split, consider spraying the edges of the orchard from the outside in. •Apply the first full hull split spray when Stage 2C (see photo) is reached in sound nuts in tree tops inside the orchard (not on edge trees). Check hull split stage in the tree tops from a pruning tower or use an extendable pruner to cut shoots with nuts out from the upper canopy and bring them down to eye level to check. Start spraying early, a couple of days before Stage 2C, and finish in less than a week. Better to be too early than too late. A timely aerial spray maybe better than a poorly timed ground spray for the first hull split spray. The first nuts to split are in in the tree tops where aerial application gets the best coverage/pest control. A second spray may be needed within 7 to 14 days. Check with your PCA about rates and timings. • For large, dense mature trees, slow ground speed (2 MPH) and higher spray volumes (150 to 200 GPA) have provided better NOW control in UC and USDA research than faster ground speeds and/or lower volumes (100 GPA). Using a nurse tank to bring the mixing/ loading closer to the orchard can help reduce fill time and overall cost. Cost savings may also be found in spider mite management. Under certain conditions, predator mites and insects can control spider mites or delay a miticide spray until later in the season. Monitor for spider mites and predators through May and June. It is a straight forward process involving a recording sheet and gentle magnification. A set of very strong (3.5 to 4+) reading glasses can provide inexpensive magnification. There is no need to count mite numbers on a leaf, just note if there are spider mites and/or predators on each of 15 leaves per tree from five trees. Protect orchards against disease infections following sudden late spring and/or summer storms. Disease infection, especially rust and/or anthranose, can develop NIKKEL IRON WORKS CORP. 800-342-9222 NIKKELIRONWORKS.COM Dealer Inquiries Welcome. • Now reversible • New and improved! • Gathers nuts from the end of each lane; positions them to prevent spillage on the corners • Eliminates lane-end hand raking labor • Hook-up is 3 point, Cat. II. • Virtually eliminates ground crop loss NUT CROWDER O DER TM PATENTED NUT CROP LOSS REDUCE LABOR COSTS 4 0 A L M O N D F A C T S