Apple phenology continues to progress across New Jersey, with development advancing rapidly under recent warm temperatures. Observations indicate that most varieties statewide are at pink bud, while early varieties in southern counties, such as Pink Lady, have entered bloom. 

This stage marks a critical transition in disease management, particularly for apple scab, powdery mildew, and cedar apple rust, while also representing an important period for early-season insect management and monitoring. 

Phenology Dates by County (earliest varieties)

Figure 1. Pink Lady apple variety in Gloucester County entering bloom on 04/06/2026. Photo by Katrina DeWitt.

Ambrosia Beetle:

• The first flight of the ambrosia beetle has been detected in southern New Jersey.  
• There has been minimal activity observed further north at this time. 
• Continue monitoring traps closely, particularly in stressed, declining, or newly planted blocks, as beetle activity is expected to increase with continued warming temperatures. 

Mating Disruption Timing:

• Codling moth (CM) mating disruption should be applied around pink. 
• Growers should begin preparing materials and planning applications now. 

• Apple phenology continues to progress rapidly across New Jersey, with most varieties at tight cluster to pink bud and early southern varieties entering bloom.  

• This stage marks a critical period for disease management, particularly for apple scab, powdery mildew, and cedar apple rust, as well as key insect monitoring timings.  

• Apple scab ascospore maturity has increased to approximately 40–42% and is forecasted to reach 48–59% over the next week, increasing overall infection risk as bloom progresses.  

• No major infection events are currently forecast, but growers should continue to monitor the weather closely and maintain fungicide coverage ahead of rain events.  

• Fungicide programs should target apple scab, powdery mildew, and cedar apple rust, with materials selected based on orchard phenology and disease pressure.  

• Southern counties entering bloom should maintain cedar apple rust protection and continue scouting for early-season insect activity.  

Pear phenology has advanced rapidly across southern New Jersey over the past week. Observations indicate that most European pear varieties are now in full bloom, with orchards progressing quickly under recent warm temperatures. 

Asian pear varieties remain slightly more advanced, with most blocks also at full bloom or moving toward late bloom in the earliest plantings. 

Figure 2. Bloom. Asian pear variety phenology. Gloucester County, NJ. Photo by Katrina DeWitt.

Pear psylla activity has remained variable across southern New Jersey. Observations from April 7 indicate differences by county: 

• Gloucester County: None observed  
• Burlington County: No activity observed to date  
• Mercer County: No activity observed to date  

Overall pressure remains relatively low in many orchards. This is likely due, in part, to recent oil applications, particularly where oil was combined with materials such as Esteem, which can suppress egg laying and early population development. 

At this stage (full bloom): 

• Continue monitoring for adults, eggs, and the onset of nymph hatch  
• Use beating trays to assess adult activity  
• Examine developing shoots and leaves for egg presence 

Management considerations:

• Do not apply insecticides during bloom due to pollinator protection restrictions.  
• Continue scouting to monitor psylla population development and identify blocks where pressure may increase rapidly.  
• Prepare for petal fall applications targeting early nymph hatch, as this timing is critical for effective suppression. 

Recommended post-bloom / petal fall options include: 

• Movento – excellent activity on pear psylla and aphids  
• Agri-Mek / Gladiator / Minecto Pro – strong knockdown where higher pressure exists  
• Delegate / Danitol / Warrior II / Lambda-Cy – additional options where adult populations remain elevated  
• Centaur / Sivanto Prime – softer alternatives for moderate pressure situations  

Management should focus on targeting newly hatched nymphs shortly after petal fall, when control is most effective. 

• Most pear varieties across southern New Jersey are now at full bloom, with Asian pears generally slightly more advanced.   

• Reduced pressure in some blocks is likely due to prior oil applications, particularly where oil was combined with Esteem.  

• No insecticide applications should be made during bloom to protect pollinators.  

• Growers should continue scouting for adults, eggs, and early nymph hatch to prepare for post-bloom management decisions.  

• Recent rainfall and wetting events have increased disease pressure, particularly for pear scab and fire blight.  

• Protective fungicide programs should be maintained throughout bloom, with reapplication considered following 2 inches or more of rainfall.  

• Fire blight risk is increasing significantly during bloom, and growers should be prepared to apply antibiotics during infection periods if favorable conditions persist.  

• Continued scouting and close monitoring of weather conditions will be critical over the next 7–10 days as bloom progresses and disease/insect pressure increases. 

Peach and nectarine phenology have advanced rapidly across New Jersey over the past week. Most peach and nectarine varieties in southern counties are now in full bloom while northern counties are at pink, with some early varieties in southern New Jersey beginning to enter petal fall. Development is progressing quickly under recent warm temperatures. 

Blossom infections from the brown rot fungus can occur whenever pistils are exposed, and favorable environmental conditions are present. 

Infections can occur during any wetting period when temperatures are between 41 and 86°F, with optimal infection when wetting periods coincide with mid-70s temperatures. During extended wetting periods, blossoms may become infected regardless of temperature. 

Blossoms and fruitlets remain susceptible until the pistil desiccates, which typically occurs between petal fall and shuck split. 

Management Considerations

• Maintain fungicide coverage throughout bloom and petal fall, particularly ahead of wetting periods favorable for blossom blight infection.  
• If favorable weather persists, a third blossom blight spray may be warranted, noting some products are only labeled for two bloom applications.  
• Fungicides used during bloom should be rotated appropriately for resistance management and should not overly rely on chemistries intended for later pre-harvest brown rot control.  

Recommended Bloom-Stage Materials: 

• Vangard, Flint Extra, Inspire Super, Luna Sensation, or Rovral  
• Bravo Weather Stik (through shuck split only)  
• Fontelis, Indar, Luna Experience, Merivon, Pristine, Cevya, Orius, and Tilt are other rotational options but these should be saved to target brown rot at the pre harvest stage as these products all have a 0-day PHI
• Rally is also effective but consider saving this product to target rusty spot
• While Abound and Quadris Top are very effective to control this disease, they are highly phytotoxic to apples and should not be used if you are using the same sprayer on apples and peaches

Petal Fall / Early Cover Considerations: 

• Where peach scab has historically been problematic, Flint Extra at petal fall is advised for anti-sporulant activity.  
• For highly susceptible cultivars, warm/wet springs, or blocks with a history of bacterial spot, begin bacterial spot protection at petal fall with materials such as copper or Mycoshield.  
• Rusty spot programs should begin at petal fall, with Rally commonly used as the first application. 

Oriental Fruit Moth (OFM)

• OFM traps were deployed this week in southern New Jersey counties.  
• Biofix for Oriental Fruit Moth was set to April 7, 2026, by Dr. Anne Nielsen.  
• Growers utilizing degree-day models should begin tracking accumulation from this date to properly time future management applications. 

Scale:

• Delayed dormant oil timing has now passed for most blocks.  
• Growers should continue monitoring historically infested blocks and prepare for crawler management later in the season if pressure persists.  

Green Peach Aphid:

• Continue scouting for green peach aphid colonies as terminals begin developing.  
• Treatment thresholds remain:  
  • 1 colony per tree in nectarines  
  • 2–3 colonies per tree in peaches  

Bloom/Petal Fall Considerations 

• Avoid insecticide applications during bloom to protect pollinators.  
• As blocks move through petal fall, growers should begin preparing for upcoming petal-fall insect management timings based on OFM degree-day accumulation. 

• Most peach and nectarine varieties in southern New Jersey are now at full bloom, with some early southern varieties beginning to enter petal fall.  
• Development has progressed rapidly under recent warm temperatures and will continue advancing quickly with favorable weather.  
• Brown rot infection risk remains present whenever blossoms are exposed under wet conditions, particularly between 41–86°F.  
• Blossoms and young fruit remain susceptible until pistil desiccation, typically between petal fall and shuck split.  
• Fungicide coverage should be maintained through bloom and petal fall, particularly ahead of wetting periods favorable for blossom blight infection.  
• OFM traps were deployed this week in southern counties, and biofix has been established as April 7, 2026.
• Growers should begin tracking degree-day accumulation from biofix to prepare for upcoming OFM management timings.  
• The delayed dormant oil timing has passed for most blocks, and focus should shift to in-season insect monitoring.  
• Continue scouting for green peach aphid, with treatment thresholds of 1 colony/tree in nectarines and 2–3 colonies/tree in peaches.  
• Avoid insecticide applications during bloom to protect pollinators.  
• Continued scouting and timely applications will be critical over the next 7–10 days as phenology and pest pressure continue to progress. 

Apple phenology continues to progress across New Jersey. Observations indicate that northern counties are primarily at tight cluster, while southern counties are at pink bud in early varieties.

This stage marks a critical transition in disease management, particularly for apple scab, powdery mildew, and cedar apple rust, as well as key insect management timings.

Phenology Dates by County (earliest varieties)

Figure 1: Pink Lady apple variety in pink bud. Gloucester County, NJ. Photo by Katrina DeWitt

Ambrosia Beetle:

• Ambrosia beetles have been detected in Burlington, Salem, Gloucester, and Middlesex counties
• Activity has not yet been observed further north at this time
• Observed activity is low and is not a concern

Continue monitoring traps, particularly in stressed or newly planted blocks, as activity may increase with warming temperatures.

Mating Disruption Timing:

• Codling moth (CM) mating disruption should be applied around pink
• Growers should begin preparing materials and planning applications now

• Apple phenology is progressing across New Jersey, with northern counties at tight cluster and southern counties at pink bud in early varieties
• This stage marks a critical period for apple scab and powdery mildew management, as well as key insect timings
• Apple scab ascospore maturity is increasing (~13–15%) and is forecasted to reach 25–40% over the next several days, increasing infection risk
• Fungicide applications should be applied prior to infection events, with materials selected to target both scab and powdery mildew
• In southern counties at pink, begin targeting cedar apple rust

Pear phenology has advanced rapidly across southern New Jersey over the past week. Observations made on April 2 indicate that most European pear varieties are now at early white bud, following cluster separation but prior to petal show, with some blocks progressing into popcorn stage.

Asian pear varieties are more advanced, with many blocks at popcorn stage and approaching bloom.

Figure 2. White bud/popcorn. Asian pear variety phenology. Salem County, NJ. Photo by Katrina DeWitt.

Pear psylla activity has been variable across southern New Jersey. Observations from April 2 indicate differences by county:

• Salem County: adults and eggs observed
• Gloucester County: none observed
• Burlington County: no activity observed to date
• Mercer County: no activity observed to date

Overall pressure remains relatively low in many orchards. This is likely due, in part, to recent oil applications, particularly where oil was combined with materials such as Esteem, which can suppress egg laying and early population development.

At this stage (white bud to popcorn):

• Continue monitoring for adults, eggs, and the onset of nymph hatch
• Use beating trays to assess adult activity
• Examine developing shoots and leaves for egg presence

Management considerations:

• In blocks without prior applications, or where psylla is present, consider a pre-bloom insecticide application
• Consider applying particle films such as dormant oil or Surround to deter egg laying
• With pre-bloom insecticide applications, softer materials should be used to avoid harming pollinator or beneficial insect populations
• In blocks where adults are present at low pressure, insecticide options include Esteem (up to 2 applications 14 days apart), Centaur, or Aza-Direct
• In blocks where adults are present at high pressure (more than 4 adults per beating tray), insecticide options include Apta, Assail, or AgriMek
• Insecticides should be applied prior to bloom, as use during bloom is restricted due to pollinator protection

As bloom approaches (particularly in Asian pears):

• Avoid applications that may impact pollinators
• Management focus will shift to early nymph control post-bloom

• Observations from April 2 indicate most European pears are at early white bud, with some at popcorn stage
• Asian pears are at popcorn and approaching bloom
• Pear psylla activity remains variable across counties, with adults and eggs observed in Salem County
• Reduced pressure in some blocks is likely due to oil applications, with or without Esteem
• Where oil was not applied, or psylla is present, pre-bloom insecticide applications should be considered
• Insecticide applications must be completed prior to bloom to protect pollinators
• Recent and continued rainfall is increasing disease pressure, particularly for pear scab and fire blight
• Fungicide programs should be actively maintained, with reapplication needed after significant rainfall (2 inches or more)
• Fire blight risk will increase rapidly as bloom approaches, so antibiotic programs should be prepared

Continued scouting is critical over the next 7–10 days as phenology and pest pressure accelerate.

Peach varieties across New Jersey were observed at the pink bud stage this week. Nectarines are more advanced, with the majority observed near or in bloom in South Jersey. Development is progressing steadily and will continue as temperatures warm.

Blossom infections from the brown rot fungus can occur whenever pistils are exposed, and favorable environmental conditions are present.

Infections can occur during any wetting period when temperatures are between 41 and 86°F. Optimum conditions occur with wetting and temperatures in the mid-70s. During extended wetting periods (several days or more), blossoms can be infected regardless of temperature. Infections under suboptimal conditions are generally less severe.

Blossoms and fruitlets remain susceptible until the pistil desiccates, which occurs sometime between petal fall and shuck split.

Management Considerations

• Fungicides used for control at the blossom blight stage should not overlap with fungicides used in the pre-harvest stage of brown rot
• Try to save fungicide options with low pre-harvest intervals for later in the season
• Bravo Weather Stik + single-site fungicide
• Vangard (applied at pink stage)
• Rovral (applied at full bloom)
• Flint Extra (applied at petal fall)

Initiate coverage for blossom blight starting at pink for short-petaled varieties and at 5–10% bloom for showy flowers. Refer to the NJ Commercial Tree Fruit Production Guide for recommended materials and rates.

Mating Disruption Timing:

• Oriental fruit moth mating disruption should be applied at pink
• Growers should begin preparing materials and planning applications now

Scale:

• Oil applications may be safely applied up to pink on peach
• Oil can be applied alone or in combination with insecticides, including Centaur, Sivanto Prime, and Esteem

Green Peach Aphid:

• Scouting should begin at pink stage
• Thresholds for treatment are 1 colony/tree in nectarines or 2–3 colonies/tree in peaches

• Observations indicate peaches are at pink bud across New Jersey, with nectarines more advanced and approaching or in bloom in South Jersey
• Development is progressing steadily and will accelerate with warming temperatures
• Brown rot infection risk is present whenever blossoms are exposed under wet conditions, particularly between 41–86°F
• Blossoms remain susceptible through petal fall to shuck split
• Fungicide programs should be initiated at pink to early bloom, depending on flower type, while avoiding overlap with pre-harvest materials
• Oriental fruit moth mating disruption should be applied at pink; growers should prepare materials now
• Oil applications for scale can be made up to pink and may be tank-mixed with labeled insecticides
• Green peach aphid scouting should begin at pink, with treatment thresholds of 1 colony/tree in nectarines and 2–3 colonies/tree in peaches

Continued scouting and timely applications will be critical over the next 7–10 days as phenology advances.