From the thinning treatments conducted between April 28-30 in the Winchester/Frederick County area, we can now observe a noticeable difference in fruit size within the same cluster. The smaller fruits, which are likely to fall off, can now be easily detached with a gentle touch or slight pull. As for the chemical thinning applied last week (May 2-3), the results are starting to become visible for some, but not all, varieties. It’s important to note that due to several days of low carbohydrate levels, as expected, some fruits have started to drop naturally—without any chemical intervention. These fruitlets measure between 8-11 mm in diameter. The fruits that are responding to our thinning from 10-12 days ago are about 13-15 mm in diameter. Therefore, hold off on deciding whether to apply another thinning treatment based on the smaller fruits under 11 mm. Wait a bit longer to see how the last treatment worked, checking for clear size differences in the same cluster or if the fruits can now be easily pulled off.

If you find that your fruit size is still under 18 mm and you need another thinning pass, you can still use 6-BA and NAA products along with carbaryl and a surfactant—or better yet, oil. For fruits averaging 15-20 mm, Accede can be used. It contains 10% of ACC, a precursor to the ethylene hormone, crucial for this process. You should apply 23-46 fluid ounces per acre, ideally when the king fruit is between 15-20 mm. If the temperature is above 90°F on the day you plan to apply, consider reducing the rate. For best results, apply Accede in slow drying conditions, like early morning or at night.

On the other hand, Ethephon is best for ‘rescue thinning’ when your fruits are between 18-25 mm. Ethephon works best when temperatures are between 70-80°F on the day of application and the following two days. Avoid using Ethephon when it’s cooler than 70°F or hotter than 80°F, as it may be ineffective or cause overthinning. Also, don’t use it if the forecast predicts temperatures over 85°F for the application day or the next two days. When applying Ethephon, use at least 100 gallons per acre to ensure effective distribution. Please refer to the attached table for the rates of ethephon and carbaryl for different cultivars, based on the research by Autio and Cowgill (https://ag.umass.edu/fruit/fact-sheets/f-129r-late-season-rescue-thinning-with-ethephon).