Weed of the Week: Bedstraw
Pheromone Trap Results
Note: trap collection data is for a two week period.
Trap #1 - Black Cutworm
2 Black Cutworm moths, 1 house fly, 4 spiders
Trap #2 - Corn Earworm
3 Corn Earworm moths, 1 click beetle, 20 noctuid moths
Trap #4 - Fall Army Worm
35 Fall Army Worm moths, 1 bumblebee, 1 spider
Wheat/Soybean Field
Kenny reports that the ladybugs have controlled the soybean aphids – great news.
We observed few active aphids, many ladybugs and ladybug larvae, and many aphid ‘mummies’; i.e. the empty shell of the aphid body.
Found 1 stink bug.
Cover crop Field
The buckwheat is blooming and looks very healthy. It is taller than the soybeans. It is tall enough that this field could be double cropped – that is to set the combine high enough to harvest the buckwheat and then lower it and harvest the soybeans. Interesting concept.
Field Corn
Kenny reports that moisture content is still in the mid 20’s. Processors prefer moisture to be around 18% so there is still a need for more drying time. Black tips are visible on kernels, which means the kernels have reached physiological maturity and are in stage R6.
Popcorn Field
Corn Earworm is present. Moisture content is still high. Hull formation is almost complete. Bill has obtained a kernel sheller so we are considering harvesting this crop and selling it.
Soybean Field
This field is beginning to turn. It is in the leaf drop stage. This soybean variety has a shorter photoperiod than our second planting in the wheat field.
Demonstration Plots
Peanuts are continuing to peg.
Cow Peas are still not showing many pods yet continue to flower.
In this plot we broadcast planted Tillage Radish or Daikon Radish/groundhog radish as another type of ground cover that has the additional advantage of holding soil nutrients in the radish tuber over the winter. Optimal planting would have been around August 15th.
Tomatoes – advantages and disadvantages of the different staking methods are becoming very clear. The smaller tomato stakes available to the home gardener are now beginning to break due to the heavy burden of the tomato foliage.
John reports that the Supersonic variety has out produced the Ramapo variety so far.
Peppers – our efforts with the peppers have paid off. Though production is reduced because of the kind of season we had, we are still harvesting peppers from all the varieties. There is a reduced amount of ‘heat’ in the hot peppers due to the amount of moisture and cooler days.
Hops – continue to produce cones near the top of the support system.
Quinoa – the jury is still out on whether we actually have a plant or not. The verdict is in however on whether quinoa is a viable crop for our climate – it is not.
Other notes:
We found a Harlequin Bug in the shed. It is reported that they are in the Community Gardens. Visit our blog for more an upcoming article on this insect.
Thanks to Roger for compiling this weeks notes.
