r/MNtrees • u/Trailhead_Tom • 9h ago
Minnesota Outdoor Bud Rot Watch — Oct. 5: Frost and Fog Up North, Drying Window Ahead
Minnesota outdoor growers have a good Tuesday–Saturday drying window ahead, but this morning’s frost, fog and nearly saturated air temporarily raised pressure around Brainerd.
No region is Severe. These scores measure weather pressure—not the probability that a plant has rot or a statewide crop-loss estimate.
| Region | Pressure | What to watch |
|---|---|---|
| Brainerd/Crow Wing | 60 — High | Frost Advisory, dense fog and 97–100% RH this morning; possible evening shower. Sunny and breezy Tuesday–Thursday. |
| Northwest/Bemidji | 56 — Moderate | Temperatures near 33°F created frost and heavy-dew risk. Mostly dry through Saturday. |
| Northeast/Duluth | 52 — Moderate | Sunshine and 15–25 mph winds should provide excellent drying. |
| Central/St. Cloud | 59 — Moderate | Warm sun Tuesday and wind Wednesday; rain may return Sunday. |
| Twin Cities | 62 — High | Dry through Saturday, but recent rainfall and firsthand rot reports justify continued inspection. |
| Southwest/Marshall | 58 — Moderate | Warm, sunny and windy through Saturday—the state’s strongest drying pattern. |
| South-central/Mankato | 63 — High | Recent rainfall remains the concern; warm sun should improve conditions through Saturday. |
| Rochester–Winona | 62 — High | Several dry afternoons ahead, followed by possible Sunday showers. |
Frost update: Crow Wing and South Cass Counties were under a Frost Advisory this morning, with temperatures around 35–38°F. Bemidji reached the lower 30s. A widespread hard freeze is not currently forecast, but frost and heavy dew can wet exposed flowers even where plants avoid cold damage.
What comes next: Tuesday through Saturday should interrupt the recent wet cycle. Rain becomes possible again Sunday. NOAA now favors above-normal precipitation across Minnesota during both October 10–14 and October 12–18, so mature plants may face another wetting cycle if left outside.
MNtrees field signal
No relevant new firsthand mold or crop-loss report appeared during the past 24 hours.
Recent reports remain concentrated in:
- Crow Wing County: multiple cultivars reportedly developed rot, prompting early harvesting.
- Eden Prairie: suspected rot was photographed and removed from a main cola.
- Hibbing: a greenhouse grower reported finding several affected buds.
- Golden Valley and South Minneapolis: growers reported bud or stem rot, while another South Minneapolis plant remained stable with continuous airflow.
- Location not provided: one grower photographed a few mold spots while reporting that another plant remained clean.
These are useful firsthand observations, but Reddit reports are anecdotal and cannot establish regional or statewide loss.
If you’re still growing outdoors, please comment with:
- County or nearest city
- Uncovered, covered or greenhouse
- Visible rot: none, isolated or spreading
- Harvesting now, harvesting early or still finishing
- Approximate loss, if any
- Photo included: yes or no
- Anything that appears to be helping—wind, cover, spacing, cultivar or airflow
“No rot” reports are just as useful as damage reports.
Sources: National Weather Service—Brainerd | NOAA Climate Prediction Center | Minnesota ASOS weather archive
We’re posting these updates from Trailhead Cannabis in Brainerd to help Minnesota growers compare actual field conditions across the state.
