This is the 14th in-season fruit update for southeast Michigan for the 2025 season. The past week was hot with moderate rainfall, and similar muggy weather is expected to continue, with temperatures in the 80s°F and storms forecast for July 9 and the weekend. Harvests of sweet cherries, tart cherries, raspberries, early blueberries, and peaches (Rich May) are ongoing. The strawberry harvest is largely complete.
Apples are expanding, with growers applying their fourth or fifth cover spray. The risk of powdery mildew remains high despite the end of primary scab season. Blueberry farms have begun early spot picks, with spotted wing drosophila now a key concern. Raspberry harvest continues, and blackberries are at fruit set. Black raspberry harvest is underway, and some fall raspberries are flowering. Sweet and tart cherry harvests are in full swing. Grapes are at berry touch with good fruit set but face severe powdery mildew risk. Peaches are expanding post-pit hardening, with early varieties being picked. Pears in Hartland are at 50 mm diameter and past June drop; pear psylla adults are present. Shiro and Italian plums in Romeo are expanding. Strawberry yields vary, and renovation should begin soon after harvest.
Aphid populations in apples are present but controlled. Codling moth counts are rising again in southeast Michigan, though the period for larvicide application has passed. Grape berry moth and obliquebanded leafroller counts are down, with minimal damage seen. Oriental fruit moth counts remain low. Pear psylla damage and egg hatch are ongoing. Plum curculio activity has ended. San Jose scale crawlers are no longer susceptible to sprays. Spotted wing drosophila females have been trapped in cherry orchards, with hot, humid weather encouraging their activity. Fruit in vulnerable crops should be monitored.
Apple scab risk is minimal as the primary season has ended. Brown rot fungicide applications may begin for early peaches and plums. No further cherry leaf spot infections are expected this week. Fire blight has been observed in isolated cases. No new grape black rot or downy mildew infections are anticipated. Phomopsis remains active in blueberries from bud swell through harvest. Powdery mildew risk is high to severe for apples, pears, and grapes through July 14.
Growers can review more detailed insect and disease updates by watching MSU's fruit meetings on Kaltura Media Space. Overall, hot and humid weather continues to influence harvest conditions and pest pressure across the region, with growers advised to monitor crops closely for mildew and insect activity.
To view the full report, click here.
For more information:
Kelly Kussmaul
Michigan State University
Tel: +1 517 355 1855
Email: [email protected]
www.canr.msu.edu
