Join the Researchers and Extension Educators of Cornell and Guests as they share proven seeds of knowledge to conquer the challenges of growing high value cultivars gathered from data collected over the past 10+ years. 

DAY 1- Wednesday, March 19 

8:45-8:55 AM: Welcome and Introduction…(Mario Miranda Sazo, CCE-LOF)

8:55-9:25: Grower/Industry Panel about Challenges and Opportunities with Honeycrisp (Panelists TBA, moderated by Mike Basedow, CCE-ENYCHP).

9:25-9:45: Soil Genesis and its Implications to Honeycrisp Growing in NYS and other Important Regions in the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, and the Pacific Northwest  (Dr. Terence Robinson, Cornell AgriTech).

9:45-10:05: New Preplant Soil Preparation and Maintenance Recommendations to Increase Soil pH for Maximum Honeycrisp Tree Performance  (Terence).

10:05-10:25: New Annual Fertilization Programs, K Recommendations, and Plant Tissue Levels for Honeycrisp to Mitigate Incidence of Bitter Pit  (Dr. Lailiang Cheng, Cornell University.).

10:25-10:45: Exercise(s) 1-2 with blend(s). Practical Fertilization Strategy Exercise(s) for Honeycrisp and Gala  (Mario).

10:45-11:05: Best Rootstocks for Honeycrisp and How to Use G.969 Successfully  (Gennaro Fazio, USDA-ARS Plant Genetic Resources Unit, Geneva).

11:05-11:25 AM: Effect of Rootstock Choice on Soft Scald  (Dr. Yosef Al Shoffe, Cornell University.).

11:25-12:00: Crop Load Management (Pruning, Bloom, Fruitlet, Rescue Chemical Thinning) + Hand Thinning  (Terence).

12:00-1:00 PM: Buffet Lunch

 1:10-1:30 PM: Return Bloom for Honeycrisp  (Craig Kahlke, CCE-LOF).

1:30-1:50: Apple Fruit Growth, Xylem Dysfunction, Ca, and Bitter Pit on Honeycrisp  (Chayce Griffith, Michigan State University).

1:50-2:10: In-Season Management of Bitter Pit by Precision Irrigation  (Terence).

2:10-2:30: In-Season Prediction and Management of Biter Pit - Early Prediction with Peel Sap  (Lailiang).

2:30-2:50: Calcium Sprays for Bitter Pit Management  (Dr. Brian Lawrence, Cornell AgriTech).

2:50-3:15: Afternoon Break

3:15-3:35: In-Season Prediction and Management of Biter Pit - Preharvest Prediction with Passive Method  (Dr. Chris Watkins, Cornell University).

3:35-3:55: Harvest Management with the Use of Preharvest PGRs on Honeycrisp & Gala - Many Options!  (Craig ).

3:55-4:15: Decisions of Storage and Storage Protocols to Allow Long Term Storage  (Chris).

4:15-4:30: Summary of Decisions/Final Management Plan for Honeycrisp  (Mario).

4:30 PM: Adjourn DAY 1 EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM

HOTEL CHECK-IN

6:00-6:30 PM - Cocktail Hour

6:30-8:00 PM: Optional Banquet Dinner (registration add-on)

Day 2- Thursday, March 20

 8:45-8:55 AM: Welcome and Introduction (Mario Miranda Sazo, CCE-LOF)

8:55-9:25: Grower/Industry Panel about Challenges and Opportunities with SnapDragon and Evercrisp  (moderated by Mike Basedow, CCE-ENYCHP).

9:25-9:45: New Insights and Worldwide Progress of SnapDragon  (Dr. Susan Brown, Cornell AgriTech).

9:45-10:05: Rootstock Options for SnapDragon  (Dr. Terence Robinson, Cornell AgriTech).

10:05-10:25: Chemical Thinning Program for SnapDragon  (Terence).

10:25-10:45: Managing the Use of N and K to Safely Increase Fruit Size on SnapDragon  (Dr. Lailiang Cheng, Cornell University).

10:45-11:05: Fruit Finish Issues on SnapDragon  (Dr. Jason Londo, Cornell AgriTech).

11:05-11:35 AM: Harvest Timing and Storage Management of SnapDragon  (Dr. Chris Watkins, Cornell University).

12:00-1:00 PM: Buffet Lunch

1:00-1:30: Crop Load Management of Evercrisp  (Terence). 

1:30-1:50: Canopy Management of Evercrisp  (Mario).

1:50-2:20: Issues of Storage and Browning on Evercrisp  (Chris).

2:20-3:00: Summary of Decisions/Final Post-harvest Management Plans for SnapDragon and Evercrisp (Craig).

3:00 PM:  ADJOURN  & SAFE TRAVELS HOME