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Chart version of thinner sensitivity ratings
Weather data for Middletown RI.  Forecast values begin May 23, 2013
Estimated Apple Sensitivity to Chemical Thinners
Other factors may outweigh the weather effects use for these estimates.  Other influences include: fruit diameter, fruit exposure to temperatures >=75 F, pollination, this year's cropload, last year's cropload, warm February-early April temperatures, frost and prolonged cool and cloudy weather during bloom, previous fall weather, foliage condition last summer)      Ratings below are for the influence of weather on fruit sensitivity to chemical thinning agents.  Ratings assume fruit are less than 13mm diameter.  Dates in bottom rows are beyond 18mm diameter for most cultivars, and are intended only for late cultivars.  Look at your fruit!
Rough guess McIntosh King fruit diameter dates:  12mm - May 29, Wednesday         15mm - June 1, Saturday          18mm - June 3, Monday
Date after which fruit have exposure to 2 days of daily high temperature of at least 75 F:  Sunday,  June 2
Very warm night temperatures (average > 69F = 19 heat units in table) can lead to "EXCESSIVE THINNING RISK", especially if combined with cloudy weather, or if combined with use of NAA. Warm nights + Cloudy days  ----->  Increased sensitivity, maximum thinning. Warm nights + Sunny days   ----->  Intermediate senstivity, moderate thinning. Cool nights + Cloudy days    ----->  Reduced sensitivity Cool nights + Sunny days     ----->  Reduced sensitivity, minimum thinning.
THINNER APPLICATION DATE Estimates assume morning application. For afternoon application use rating for next day.	Average % CLOUD SHADING on application day and the next two days. < 20% = "sunny blue sky"  > 40% = "cloudy" Cloudy weather on 3 days after application increases thinning.		Average NIGHT HEAT UNITS = degrees above 50 F for 7pm--7am for 3 nights after application.  Example:  If average night time temperature is 55F, then value = 5.      Values above 10 for three nights after application increases sensitivity to thinning.			SUMMARY Influence of weather on sensitivity of fruit to thinning agents for 3 days following a morning application Ratings assume that fruit are within diameter range of susceptibility for thinning.
McIntosh 95% Petal Fall Sat, May 18	sunny  13%		3			Intermediate
100% Petal Fall Sun, May 19	24%		6			Intermediate
Mon, May 20	33%		10			Intermediate
Tue, May 21	sunny  2%		4			Increased sensitivity
Fruit Set Wed, May 22	50%		10			Stronger influence for Increased sensitivity
Thu, May 23	77%		14			Intermediate
Fri, May 24	77%		5			Reduced sensitivity
Sat, May 25	77%		0			Reduced sensitivity
Sun, May 26	30%		1			Intermediate
Mon, May 27	sunny  17%		8			Intermediate
Tue, May 28	sunny  18%		12			Increased sensitivity
Wed, May 29	sunny  18%		14			Increased sensitivity -- sensitivity may be less if fruit diameter is >12mm
Thu, May 30	sunny  19%		13			Intermediate -- sensitivity may be less if fruit diameter is >12mm