 When it comes to spray programs for apple and pear trees, the
two rules are to be consistent and be persistent. Quality fruit
these days takes these two things, and time.It seems like
quality fruit must be sprayed at the recommended intervals.
Starting with dormant oils, these need to be applied before buds
swell. Dormant oils are usually needed only every two or three
years to provide control of scales and mites. Sure, the
populations will build up in the off years, but should remain
relatively low if the three-year program is followed. Superior
oils are lighter-grade oils, which won't cause as much burn
damage during late spring or even in-season use. Superior oils
will also provide control of the mites and scales.
The first regular spray of the year is applied when the green
tissue is a half-inch out of the bud. The spray used by
homeowners usually consists of a multipurpose fruit spray (and
sulfur if needed for powdery mildew). Multipurpose fruit spray
has been reformulated the last year or two to include malathion,
captan and carbaryl (methoxychlor was eliminated from the old
mixture). This same mixture would be used when the fruit buds
are in the pink stage (when fruit buds show color). After that,
the persistence and consistency pay off as you spray with the
same mixture about every 10 days until we get to within two
weeks of harvest. In our area, we need to continue spraying this
late because of apple maggot.
This spray schedule will also control borers on apples and
pears, if you also thoroughly spray the trunk and main limbs of
the trees. On young, non-bearing fruit trees where borers have
attacked, you can spray the trunks every two weeks during June
and July with a multipurpose fruit spray.
The spray schedule for peaches, nectarines, apricots and
plums varies a little bit. The dormant spray for them uses
captan fungicide. This is the only spray that controls leaf curl
and plum pockets. The next spray, with captan, is when fruit
buds show color, followed by captan at bloom. When the husks
begin to pull away from the base of the fruit, we would then
spray with sulfur, captan and malathion. This mix would then be
used every 10 days or so to within a week of harvest.
For borers on the peach group, you can spray or paint the
trunk only with carbaryl (Sevin) on June 15, July 15 and Aug.
15. We walk a tightrope with the loss of some of the
insecticides since carbaryl can cause fruit drop or thinning on
the peach group and some apples.
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Things to do
The "to do" list can cause consternation, confrontation
and confusion. Hopefully a few reminders every now and then will
help you avoid those three "c" problems.
-
Finish up pruning
deciduous trees and shrubs. Buds are beginning to swell on early
species. If you want some further instruction or assistance, we
will have a pruning clinic at the Extension office on March 16
from 9 to 10 a.m. Eric Jenkins, spring intern through a college
program, will be presenting with me. No reservations are needed,
and samples will be brought to the office for the demonstration.
-
Get prepared for
the spring turf preparation season. The recommended dates run
from March 15 to about April 1. This short time window will be
the best time to do spring seeding, renovation such as plugging
or dethatching, and other intensive operations. Next week I will
cover more on these topics.
-
Check out the horticulture telenet
series at
http://web.extension.illinois.edu/
logan/factsheets/hort_env569.html or pick up a brochure at
the office. The next session will be "A Gardener's Guide to
Plant Propagation" on March 23 at 1 p.m. Cost is $5 per person,
and just call by the day before to register.
[By
JOHN FULTON,
University of Illinois Extension, Logan County]
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