Bloom

Put out pheromone traps for:

• Oriental fruit moth (February 15)
• Omnivorous leafroller (February 20)
• San Jose scale (February 25)

Check traps and keep records (example monitoring/degree-days form—PDF).

If using mating disruption for oriental fruit moth, place dispensers in orchard after first moth is caught but no later than March 5.

Examine flower clusters and leaves for: 

• Western flower thrips
• Katydids
• Peach twig borer
• Fruittree leafroller
• Obliquebanded leafroller

Monitor for other pests, including stink bugs and plant bugs, as well as known invasive pests (spotted wing drosophila, light brown apple moth).

When rainy conditions promote disease, time fungicide treatment according to Nectarine Pest Management Guidelines:

• Brown rot at 20 to 40% bloom and full bloom.
• Jacket rot treatment at full bloom.
• Powdery mildew treatment at petal fall.
• Scab, if orchard has a history of this disease.

Monitor for diseases:

• Rust
  • Monitor twig cankers beginning late March.
  • Treat with fungicide if needed according to Nectarine Pest Management Guidelines.

• Shot hole
  • Fruiting structures in leaf lesions as long as weather is wet.

Manage if needed according to Nectarine Pest Management Guidelines.

Observe the orchard for vertebrates and manage as necessary:

• Gophers
• Ground squirrels

Other pests you may see:

• Armillaria root rot
• Bacterial canker
• Phytophthora crown and root rot