Crop report - July 2009 (Saaz area)

1. Basic weather conditions datas

temperature °C

rainfalls mm

Out of the basic weather conditions data for July is resulting, that it was well-balanced with the normal long-term, just as it was last year. On July 23rd, 2009 a thunderstorm sweeped across the Czech Republic, which hit with different intensity degree and areas, where the hops is being grown. The thunderstorm was also with rainfalls, which they were measured approx. from 2 mm up to 10 mm. Due to the climate changes, 104 ha of the hopgardens fell down, out of this 39 ha in Saaz area, 45 ha in Auscha area and 20 ha in Trschitz area.

2. Vegetation development

On some hopgardens first blossom already appeared at the turn June and July. Most of the cases grew to full blossom in the first decade of July. The hops grew up due to good water charging irrigation to a half July, therefore we evaluate the hops habitus as one of the best in years.

Characteristic is imbalance in cone formation for this year not just in hopgardens, but also in single hop plants at one hopgardens. Harvest estimation will depend on coning on the top floor hop plants, where the hops is blooming. At the present time we could estimate, that the hop harvest will be in the Czech Republic on normal level. The start of harvest is mostly forecasted by growers in term between 17. 8. 2009 and 22. 8. 2009.

3. Pests and diseases

The hops was assaulted by fungles diseases, therefore this month was complicated for maintaining its good health stage. Against downy mildew of hops was necessary to apply extra spraying. Some of the areas were preventively treat due to humid weather against powdery mildew. The treated against aphides was quickly, the basic spray application was enough with Confidor 70 WG or similar preparations to it. At the present time it is necessary to pay more attention to the occurrence of the red spider mite. The warm weather in the last days of July created good conditions for its outbreak. The hops health condition is still good.