2019 Florida Blueberry Integrated Pest Management Guide
Jeffrey G. Williamson, Philip F. Harmon, Oscar E. Liburd, and Peter Dittmar Thus, major contributions were made by the original editors:...
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By Doug Phillips
Blueberry Extension Coordinator
Doug Phillips is the University of Florida blueberry extension coordinator, and is the primary point of contact for blueberry growers for issues and questions regarding disease, insect pests, management practices, etc. He will coordinate with subject matter experts in Gainesville as needed to assist growers in identifying solutions and best practices for production issues. Doug also collects data and evaluates selections at the UF breeding program trial sites in central and south-central Florida, and provides grower feedback to UF breeding, pathology, entomology, pollination, weed science, and management practice experts.
Time to Start Thinking About Freeze Protection
Nov 5, 2023 / Doug Phillips, Blueberry Extension Coordinator, UF/IFAS
Blueberries bloom in late winter or early spring in Florida, making the flowers and young fruit susceptible to freeze and frost injury. Killing freezes can occur as late as mid to late March throughout much of Florida, long after the initiation of bloom, especially for early-ripening southern highbush blueberry cultivars. If some method of freeze protection is not employed, freezes during flowering and early fruit development can be one of the greatest threats to southern highbush blueberry production in Florida.
Blueberry Gall Midge Management
Oct 2, 2023 | Dr. Oscar Liburd UF/IFAS, Doug Phillips, Blueberry Extension Coordinator, UF/IFAS
Blueberry gall midge larvae feed on blueberry floral bud tissues, causing brown lesions, and bud death and abortion (Figure 1). When there is heavy gall midge injury, the bloom will typically be lighter since many of these buds will abort, resulting in decreased fruit set. It should be noted that poor fruit set and excessive dropping of undeveloped green fruit can also be caused by poor pollination.
Southern Red Mite Management
Sep 22, 2023 | Dr. Oscar Liburd UF/IFAS, Doug Phillips, Blueberry Extension Coordinator, UF/IFAS
The peak in southern red mite populations vary depending on the region in the state where the blueberry planting is located. If your planting is in north-central Florida (Alachua, Marion, Columbia, and Putnam counties) the peak is typically during late September and October. However, if you are in the central or south-central region (Polk, Hardee, Hillsborough, Highlands, and DeSoto counties) the peak occurs later, from late November to February when temperatures are still high and rainfall is low, as they prefer dry, dusty conditions.
The Evergreen Blueberry Production System in South and Central Florida
Aug 15, 2023 | Dr. Jeff Williamson, professor and Extension specialist, UF/IFAS, Doug Phillips, Blueberry Extension Coordinator, UF/IFAS
The two production systems used by Florida blueberry growers are the deciduous (or dormant) system and the evergreen system. Under the deciduous system, plants are allowed to go dormant in late fall and defoliate. Many growers using this system apply hydrogen cyanamide in early winter to help promote vegetative budbreak to support earlier flowering and fruit set, and to concentrate fruit ripening. With the evergreen system, the plants never go dormant, and one of the major production goals is to keep the prior year’s foliage healthy and intact though harvest, to support early fruit maturity.
Summer Fungal Leaf Diseases
July 11, 2023 | Dr. Phil Harmon, Professor, Plant Pathology, UF/IFAS, Doug Phillips, Blueberry Extension Coordinator, UF/IFAS
Fungal leaf diseases can be a problem for Florida blueberry growers during summer months, including anthracnose, Phyllosticta leaf spot, rust, and target spot. This post is a quick reference guide to identifying these diseases from the symptoms (although some of these diseases can have symptoms that appear to be similar) and suggested chemical controls. Additional information on leaf diseases can be found in UF EDIS Publication PP348, Florida Blueberry Leaf Disease Guide (https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/PP348).
Managing Chilli Thrips in Florida Blueberry Fields
June 12, 2023 | Dr. Oscar Liburd, Professor, Fruit and Vegetable Entomology, UF/IFAS, Doug Phillips, Blueberry Extension Coordinator, UF/IFAS
One of the most problematic insect pests on blueberries in Florida is chilli thrips, (Scirtothrips dorsalis). It was first recorded in blueberries in Florida in 2008. Chilli thrips typically feed on the new vegetative growth of blueberry after summer pruning, although in recent years they have been observed in mid to late May on new foliar flushes
Pruning Southern Highbush Blueberry in Florida
May 2, 2023 | Dr. Jeff Williamson, Professor, UF/IFAS, Doug Phillips, Blueberry Extension Coordinator, UF/IFAS
​Pruning is an essential part of blueberry production. It is used to promote postharvest growth of new foliage and fruiting wood, balance vegetative and reproductive growth, reduce disease and insect pressure, assist in mechanical harvesting efficiency, promote new cane growth and plant longevity, and help establish new plantings.
Flower Thrips Management in Southern Highbush Blueberry in Florida
Feb 3, 2023 | Dr. Oscar Liburd, Professor, UF/IFAS and Doug Phillips, Blueberry Extension Coordinator, UF/IFAS
Flower thrips (Frankliniella bispinosa Morgan) are a pest of southern highbush blueberries in Florida during bloom. Larvae and adults feed on all parts of the flowers including ovaries, styles, petals, and developing fruit. This feeding damage...
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