Late Season Rescue Thinning with Ethephon
Ethrel for Rescue Thinning in Eastern New York - Dan Donahue
Our colleagues in Massachusetts and New Jersey have conducted extensive research over the years on the use of Ethephon as a "rescue thinner" when fruits reach the 20-25 mm stage. I've posted a fact sheet and a power point presentation on the ENYCHP website that offers excellent guidance on the use of this material as a thinner. With this seasons bumper fruit set, coupled with weak thinner performance, ethephon should be considered as an option, but please follow the links below and study the information provided before acting. Ethephon can be a strong thinner, very sensitive to temperatures in the several days following application, capable of defruiting the tree in some circumstances. Thank you to Win and Wes for giving ENYCHP permission to post this information.
Rescue Thinning with Ethephon PowerPoint/pdf Talk (pdf; 4398KB)
- Author: Win Cowgill presented at the Connecticut Pomological Society
Fact sheet- F-129R UMASS-Rutgers- Late Season Rescue Thinning with Ethephon (pdf; 682KB)
- Authors: Wesley Autio, Win Cowgill


Upcoming Events
Workshop: Controlling Listeria in Apple Packinghouses
June 26, 2025 : Workshop: Controlling Listeria in Apple Packinghouses
Highland, NY
Join Cornell University Food Science experts, along with CCE ENYCHP specialists Dan Donahue and Elisabeth Hodgdon for a day-long intensive workshop on managing Listeria in apple packinghouse environments.
2025 Berry Twilight Meetings

July 2, 2025 : Berry Twilight Meeting at Dressel Farms
New Paltz, NY
Join Heather Kase, CCE ENYCHP, and Anna Wallis, Cornell IPM, for seasonal updates on berry pest man-agement and IPM.

July 16, 2025 : Berry Twilight Meeting at Samascott Orchards
Kinderhook, NY
Join Heather Kase, CCE ENYCHP, and Anna Wallis, Cornell IPM, for seasonal updates on berry pest man-agement and IPM.

August 6, 2025 : Berry Twilight Meeting at Fishkill Farms
Hopewell Junction, NY
Join Heather Kase, CCE ENYCHP, and Anna Wallis, Cornell IPM, for seasonal updates on berry pest man-agement and IPM.
Vegetable Field Meetings with Dr. Steve Reiners

July 14, 2025 : Herkimer County - Ivan Martin's Farm
Herkimer, NY
Topics: Tomato Fertility and Mitigating Physiological Disorders; Pest Scouting, ID, and IPM Field Walk.

July 15, 2025 : Washington County - Hand Melon Farm
Greenwich, NY
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July 16, 2025 : Ulster County - Wallkill View Farm
New Paultz, NY
Topics: Tomato Fertility and Mitigating Physiological Disorders; Veg Pest Update and Management; Cornell Tomato Breeding Program and Slicer Tomato Variety Trial Tour