Home Orchard Spray Program

[Randy SGF]

What a battle it is to work out a preventive spray program for a fruit orchard. My biggest battle is fireblight and fruit rot because it is so humid down here.

At least here in the US, the number chemicals we have for control of the orchard health is getting pretty small but what we have is still good.

I noticed the effective rating for copper and lime-sulfer is very low which I figure means it is limited to use as a dormant spray to keep from wasting money.

Timing seems to be everything.

I did my last spray with oil and copper today on the latter season apples. My summer apples have bloomed with this warm winter but took a big hit by a hard freeze.

What is everybody else using for a spray program?

Randy

[Randy SGF]

Just saw this on the new label for Bonide Fruit Tree Spray concentrate for spraying apple trees.

Do not exceed 2 applications per year. Do not apply within 14 days of harvest. Minimum retreatment interval 7 days

Before this the limit was 8 applications on apples.

The limitation to 2 applications on apple trees could be a major set back. The cherry is limited to 4 applications and the peach tree 3.

This is more of a problem for apples since Immunox is not rated for apples. I can rotate Immunox with Bonide on peach and cherry which is a good idea anyway.

With high humidity down here I must be able to spray for fruit root.

Randy

[PA_Docent]

I use Bordeaux powder (I have to order it online because local merchandisers don't carry the powder) with success on cedar rust and fungus issues here in PA. The Bordeaux powder is a fine, gray powder that I mix up in my spray bottle with water.