Tuesday, April 10, 2012

April 10 Frost damage

Ajay Nair, Lynn Schroeder, and Paul Domoto
Department of Horticulture, Iowa State University

Much across Iowa we saw freezing temperatures which gave sleepless nights to a majority of our growers. Unfortunately the temperatures dipped to lower 20's which set the stage for damage on apple blossoms which were 3-4 weeks ahead in bloom. Below are pictures which show some damage to fruit and petal. 

Frost damage on petals
Frost damage to ovary (dead black tissue in the center)