S MA L L F RU IT UPD A TE | W EEK 31 |
JULY 27, 2022
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NWBERRYFOUNDATION.ORG
 
Bee on lavender. July, 2018. Photo by Tom Peerbolt.
Julie Pond
N OR T H WE S T B E R R Y F O U N DA T IO N
HEATWAVE ALERT:
After 3 days above 90°F/ 32°C, the Pacific Northwest is in an official heatwave. Please use
any and all cooling methods to keep your crop in the best condition for harvest post-heat.
Caneberries without cooling will have their quality greatly impacted and harvest length
shortened.
Make sure root zones are kept at a good, consistent moisture level to allow for plants to
hold this fruit load while promoting new growth for future years. I've included links to
irrigation and cooling methods below for blueberries. Keep in mind that while the blueberry
harvest is right around the corner, these techniques can also be used for other crops.
Have a good week,
Trade Magazine Articles
Irrigation methods to reduce heat damage (6/14/19 Fruit & Vegetable)
Overhead irrigation can reduce heat damage (Spring, 2019 Oregon Blueberry Update)
Research Articles
Critical Temperatures and Heating Times for Fruit Damage in Northern Highbush Blueberry
(Dec./2019, American Society for Horticultural Science)
Thermal cooling with sprinklers or microsprinklers reduces heat damage and improves fruit
quality in Northern Highbush Blueberry (7/17/20, American Society for Horticultural Science)
An Energy Balance Model for Predicting Berry Temperature and Scheduling Sprinklers for
Cooling in Northern Highbush Blueberry (2/22/21, American Society for Horticultural Science)
Conference Presentation
Heat Damage in Blueberries –26 minute video (12/12/14, Dave Bryla) From the Western
Washington Small Fruit Conference. A few years old but still a lot of good information.
PAGE 01
 Nutrient Management
Weeks 30-31 are the critical time of year when nutrient tissue sampling needs to happen. For the next few
weeks we’re providing some guidelines for doing it right. Acknowledgements: Almost all information comes
from Bernadine Strik (OSU) and Lisa DeVetter (WSU). A good reminder from Lisa Wasco DeVetter, WSU: “For
caneberry and blueberry, tissue testing between late July and early August is recommended. This is also a
good time to sample June-bearing strawberry. For day neutrals, sample leaves in July or August if planted in
May or June. If fall planted, collect day-neutral leaves the following year when the planting is fruiting.
Soil Testing
All crops: Pre-planting soil testing is critical.
Adjusting soil pH & incorporating nutrients (like
potassium and phosphorus) that don’t move readily
from surface applications should happen before
planting.
Strawberries: For annual/short term crops like
strawberries, soil testing is usually the only method
used for adjusting nutrient programs. After renovation
is recommended for multi-year plantings.
Soil testing to diagnose problems: Most useful when
combined with in-field observations, results of annual
leaf tissue sampling, and a history of a fertility
program and other soil/tissue tests.
Seasonal timing: Fall or spring is common, but it’s
very important to be consistent! There can be big
differences if you test in the spring in one year and
fall in the another. Don’t test in spring after any
fertilization. •
Location of sampling: Between the dripline and base
of the plants & enough to be representative of the
entire field. Move any mulch aside before collecting a
soil sample.
For a concise explanation of the how to take and how
to interpret soil and tissue sampling, use this six page
guide: Nutrient Management of Berry Crops in Oregon
(2013)
Nutrition Resources for Berry Growers
Strawberry Nutrient Management Guide Oregon
and Washington (May, 2019/Oregon State
University)
Nutrient Management for Blueberries in Oregon
(Published: Nov. 2006; Reviewed: June,
2016/Oregon State University)
Caneberries Nutrient Management Guide
(Published: Jan. 2006; Reviewed: July,
2016/Oregon State University)
NWBERRYFOUNDATION.ORG
RECOMMENDED TIMING & FREQUENCY OF TESTING
Soil Sampling
Always before planting.
For analyzing problem situations.
Only every few years for maintenance checks. Not
needed every year.
Tissue Sampling
Every year at the same time –for blueberries and
floricane raspberries and blackberries this is the last
week in July through the first week in August.
For analyzing problem situations—take samples from
both healthy and unhealthy areas of the field for
comparing.
RECOMMENDED PROTOCOLS/ COMMENTS FOR TISSUE
TESTING
Blueberries-- Collect the most recent, fully-expanded
leaf with the petiole attached (leaf stem) only from
shoots below where fruit is/was located.
Raspberries & Blackberries-- Collect the most recent,
fully-expanded leaf with the petiole attached (leaf
stem) only from the primocanes-- about 12 inches
from the tip.
Cultivars should be sampled separately, as should
any problem areas in the field.
If they are covered with dust, rinse them briefly and
let them air dry; otherwise do not wash.
All blueberry and floricane fruiting caneberry
cultivars, regardless of ripening time, should be
sampled in the late-July to early-August window.
Leaf nutrient concentrations naturally change
throughout the season (from spring to autumn) so
these published standards are NOT applicable if you
sample tissue outside the late July-early August
sampling time.
Other Considerations
It’s best to pair results of tissue tests with in-field
observations when deciding on whether or not to
modify a nutrient management program.
PAGE 02
 Grower Resources

REGIONAL FIELD REPORTS

Oregon, Willamette Valley (7/22) From Julie Pond, Peerbolt Crop Management, Portland, OR
Caneberry: Blackberry and red/black raspberry prices are much needed for growers right now. Hopefully that
continues. Blackcap harvest is nearing the end with small, poor pollinated berries found on weak plantings but
an extra harvest on the better plantings is happening because the price is so darn good. At least fruit released
off plants well this year and right before the heat. This extra long predicted stretch of a heatwave slotted for
Monday onwards in the Willamette Valley is going to decrease the quality of fruit so lots of harvests are being
crammed in right now before that happens.

Blueberry- Oregon: Top Shelf and Draper are rolling. Straight machine pick of Patriots happening this weekend
in the north valley. Calypso is slotted for next week. I tasted my first Peachy Blue fruit yesterday (very crunchy).
Everyone is watering up.

Blueberry - Washington: The pressures with unknown dieback and other concerns on the west side have not
been a concern east of the cascades. Fruit is coming off well and younger fields are making up for decreased
yields in more established fields, especially on the west side. Calypso in Whatcom county is hit or miss.
Bluecrop, Elliot and Aurora mature fields will have down yields on the west side but other varieties and newer
production will likely offset the losses found in those mature fields.

Strawberry: Lygus bug and Strawberry Crown Moth are the main threats right now in Day Neutral. The peak
Strawberry Crown Moth flight has happened over the last week so management is going on for that. SWD will
likely be tapered down after the heat next week but by default are going to be managed because of Lygus and
Strawberry Crown moth sprays. Most of the fruit is in the green fruit stage with light bloom.

British Columbia, Fraser Valley (7/25) From Chuck Mouritzen, Southwest Crop Consulting, Chilliwack,
BC
Blueberries: Machine fresh harvest for fresh Dukes is ongoing but a bit more time is required for the start of a
process pick. This hot spell coming up should push us more quickly along that path and will also bring along
other varieties like Draper and Reka which are developing quickly.

Eastern WA Day Neutral Strawberry (7/26) From Cody Edwards, Yakima Berry Company:
Strawberries: Production is increasing each pick but the fruit is small and many are showing signs of poor
pollination. Hoping to get through this heatwave and have the size pick up going into fall.

NWBERRYFOUNDATION.ORG PAGE 03
 PEST ALERT: SWD

Spotted Wing Drosophila larvae are being found in strawberry, raspberry, and blueberry. This is not a low
SWD population season. While this heat could have a knock down effect on populations, it’s important
to keep in mind what your market can bear with regards to SWD pressure. Be prepared to:

Monitor fruit often for SWD larvae using the fruit dunk method.
Understand that trapping for adult SWD while fruit is ripening isn’t as effective as trapping before
ripening due to competition with attractive fruit.

Consider appropriate management for your markets, refer to berry pesticide options and MRLs as
needed

Machine harvest trials. July, 2017. Photo by Tom Peerbolt.

NWBERRYFOUNDATION.ORG PAGE 04
 Blueberry Bud Development

P ATR IO T BLUEJAY DU KE DR AP ER TO P SHELF LIB ER TY AU R O R A LAST C ALL

WEEK 29 7/15/22
WEEK 30 7/22/21
WEEK 30 7/31/20
WEEK 30 7/27/19

P ATR IO T BLUEJAY DU KE DR AP ER TO P SHELF LIB ER TY AU R O R A LAST C ALL

Industry News

Brought to you by

PODCASTS OF THE INDUSTRY

The Business of Blueberries: A podcast from the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council hosted by
Kasey Cronquist and Rod Cook.
B IR D MANAG EMENT WITH LAR R Y B O DTKE AND C ATHER INE LINDELL, PH.D

NEWSLETTERS OF THE INDUSTRY

Who Are Your Blueberry Industry Heroes?

Behind The Blue: NABC Awards, Women in Blueberries Recap, National Blueberry Month Update

Whatcom Ag Monthly July 2022 External

Oregon IPM Center: IPM News for July 2022

Machine harvest. July, 2014. Photo by Tom Peerbolt.

NWBERRYFOUNDATION.ORG PAGE 06
FEATURED LINKS
‘Murder Hornet’ gets a new name (7/25, Capital Press)

Big time for blueberries (7/16, Good Fruit Grower)

California strawberry researchers identify Fusarium wilt-resistant gene (7/19, Fruit Growers News)

Oregon Bee Project launches second strategic plan (7/7, OPB)

INSECT PESTS
Oregon scientists will use parasitic wasp to control invasive pest damaging fruit crops
READ MORE
(Updated: 7/11, OBB.org)

NORTH AMERICA
Naturipe blueberry volumes hit peak production
READ MORE
(7/22, Fruit Growers News)

Strong demand on organic blueberries following conventional tightness

READ MORE
(7/22, Fresh Plaza)

Early Minnesota strawberry, blueberry crop has not been good

READ MORE
(7/21, Fresh Plaza)

PRODUCTION ECONOMICS
Fruit crop budgets available for specialty growers
READ MORE
(7/22, Fruit Growers News)

TECHNOLOGY/RESEARCH
UV-B and UV-C experimentation on the giant American blueberry
READ MORE
(7/22, Fresh Plaza)

WORLD PRODUCTION
Blueberries from the most northerly producer in the world
READ MORE
(7/22, Fresh Plaza)

Pink and white strawberries soon to hit Aussie market

READ MORE
(7/22, Fresh Plaza)

NWBERRYFOUNDATION.ORG PAGE 07
 July Crop Management for Week 31

Follow Heat Stress Rules in your region. Here is an example of worker heat rules that just took effect
a few months ago in Oregon.

Pesticide and MRL Resources:

Washington Blueberry
Oregon Blueberry
Blueberry MRLs
Oregon Caneberry
Oregon Strawberry
Caneberry MRLs

View on NBF website

Strawberry Crown Moth. July, 2010. Photo by Tom Peerbolt.

NWBERRYFOUNDATION.ORG PAGE 08
All Crops
Early green/coloring/ harvesting fruit management
Monitor for Spotted Wing Drosophila

Blueberries

Monitor fruit for rot symptoms: Green Berry Botrytis and Anthracnose favor cool, wet weather patterns.
Scout for Scorch and Shock virus symptoms
Scout for Mummy Berry blueberries for future season management. No management is effective for the
remainder of this season.
Continue for aphid control where scorch virus transmission is an issue.
Blueberry Gall Midge Tip damage from this midge is due to begin showing up in southern blueberries.
Damage is usually deemed to not be economic except in specific situations like new vigorous fields where
gall midge can occasionally cause too much stunting of new growth.
Azalea Bark Scale. This scale's telltale bright white egg sacs on the lower branches of infested plants
should be close to spreading now.

Blackberries
Scout for Rose Stem Girdler ‘galls’ on floricanes.
Remove any plants with Orange Rust on primocanes and/or floricanes.
Scout for Purple Blotch lesions in Marion berries to assess field disease levels for later treatments.
Scout for Botrytis on blossoms/ fruit.
Monitor for Red Berry Mite and apply preventative horticulture oils on green fruit for late season blackberry
varieties.
Soil sample post harvest fields.

Raspberries
Scout for mites: Two Spotted mites
Monitor leaves for Yellow Rust. Uredinia stage is the main management stage.
Scout for Botrytis on fruit.
Soil sample post harvest fields.

Strawberries
Soil sample post harvest June bearers.
Monitor for Strawberry Crown Moth flight.
Day Neutral: Scout fruit symptoms of Powdery Mildew.
Day Neutral: Monitor bloom/plants for Lygus Bug and monkey faced berries.
Day Neutral: Thrips monitoring on bloom.
Day Neutral: Two-spotted Spider mite monitoring.

NWBERRYFOUNDATION.ORG PAGE 09
 Small Fruit
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weeks/ off season (October through February).

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NWBERRYFOUNDATION.ORG PAGE 10
Industry Calendar

JULY 2022

27 Washington Blueberry Machine Harvesting field day

NOTE FROM LISA
DEVETTER.

AUGUST 2022

07 2022 High Chill Field + Forum

8:00 AM - 3:00 PM. REGISTER HERE

16-17 NASGA Summer Tour

2022 SUMMER TOUR IN ONTARIO CANADA! REGISTER HERE

SEPTEMBER 2022

07 Washington Red Raspberry Commission Meeting 1pm

LYNDEN, WA. FOR ZOOM IN OPTIONS, EMAIL HENRY BEIRLINK.

OCTOBER 2022

5-7 The Blueberry Summit

REGISTER HERE

Washington Red Raspberry Commission Meeting 1pm

26
LYNDEN, WA. FOR ZOOM IN OPTIONS, EMAIL HENRY BEIRLINK.

Washington Blueberry Commission Meeting. Details TBA

26 ZOOM DETAILS TBA. FOR MORE INFORMATION EMAIL ALAN SCHREIBER.

NOVEMBER 2022
NCSFR Conference
14-16
TRI-CITIES, WA. HOTTEL BLOCK INFORMATION HERE

Washington Red Raspberry Commission Annual Meeting. Details TBA.

30
LYNDEN, WA. FOR ZOOM IN OPTIONS, EMAIL HENRY BEIRLINK.

NWBERRYFOUNDATION.ORG PAGE 11
 THE SMALL FRUIT UPDATE
WEEK 31 | JULY 27, 2022

The Small Fruit Update is published by the Northwest Berry Foundation, a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit. Our mission is to support
the northwest small fruit industry through education, research and information access. The SFU is made possible through the
generosity of our sponsors and readers like you. Donate today, and together we can help our berry growing community thrive.

Thank you for your support!

DONATE NOW

Abby Gearing,
This is the sole industry publication, SFU Designer & Editor
gathering grower and producer news, and abby@nwberries.org
regional field reports to unite, stabilize, and
strengthen the Northwest berry growing Elisa Ford,
NBF Co-Director
region (Canada and US).
elisa@nwberries.org

Production is independent of government

Julie Pond,
and commercial control and made possible NBF Co-Director & Editor
by the following commission & councils. julie@peerbolt.com

For more information or requests please Tom Peerbolt,

contact: info@nwberries.org Director At-Large, Chief Editor Emeritus
tom@peerbolt.com.