Phil Schwallier Thinning rules In an article in Good Fruit Grower in 2009, Cornell University’s Dr. Terence Robinson laid out some general rules for fruit thinning: •    Dark, cloudy weather of more than one day reduces the carbohydrate supply, resulting in greater natural drop and greater response to chemical thinning. •    Nighttime temperatures above 65°F increase carbohydrate demand, thereby increasing natural drop and chemical thinning response. •    Daytime temperatures above 85°F increase ­carbohydrate demand and result in excessive thinning. •    Cool daytime temperatures, below 65°F, reduce fruit ­carbohydrate demand, resulting in poor ­thinning response. In the last ten years, Michigan […]