Most people use any horticultural oil. I prefer a dormant-only oil, those are thicker and I expect they smother pests better. Golden pest spray oil is one such dormant-only oil.

I'm not sure why they are recommending spinosad in dormant season, its a waste for us since the bugs are all hibernating but maybe in California there is a reason. It can be combined with the oil. Make sure to also look into if you need copper (shot hole) or lime-sulphur (peach leaf curl).

Scott

Just something I noticed is I read conflicting info about mixing dormant oil and lime sulfur, but i figured it out. it will kill leaves, but is ok to use if dormant. The labels were confusing. I use this mix. But cannot really comment on how well it works for a few years. I might switch to other products too. i have it on hand, so I'm using it.

I would love to hear from social people on what they are doing this odd year

84 here today. If the trees had leaves. Oil would burn them.

I tried spraying the trees yesterday, and was dissapointed at how much over-spray I had. I consumed almost an entire gallon of spray and only hit 5 small (5'X5') trees.

Thats a problem in dormant spray. I make the stream more narrow and move it along the branches; it takes practice to get good with that but you use less spray than with a broad setting.

Scott

"84 here today. If the trees had leaves. Oil would burn them."

Well it could burn the bark too if hot enough! Oil can be used on leaves if temps are not high, and it won't hit 84 here till June. Oil and sulfur a no no on leaves.

I doubt I am going to get my chill hours this year