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Sun, Dec 8, 13 at 0:37
| I�m new to fruit tree management and am desperately trying to learn enough to produce some decent fruit on some of my (approx.) 7 different fruits in approx. 30 different trees. I�ve spent countless hours reading suggestions/instructions about spraying. I�ve read articles, chapters in books, endless web sites and discussion threads, my state�s extension office, and more. I have, therefore, learned that there is practically no limit to the depth and complexity and variety of sprays and spraying schedules. Worse yet, it appears that a person can, and probably should, use different products, frequencies, and patterns for each different fruit. I also have learned that there is almost no limit to the factors that can change the recommended sprayings (ie location, weather, type insect, type disease, fungus, etc). In short, I just feel hopeless and I suspect many other casual fruit growers, especially newer ones, feel the same way. Therefore, what I am looking for is just some FAIRLY generalized instructions on what, when, and how I should spray my orchard that might meet some minimal needs enough to help me get at least some fruit of some quality. There must be a lot of us who aren�t the experts that most of you are, and who don�t have the knowledge, or the money, or the time to develop the complex spraying plans that you experts do and which, I admit, would be knowledgeable. One thing that gives me hope is that I do see some "one and done" type sprays on the market that claim to be for all fruit trees and to only need spraying every few weeks. I suspect that is exaggerated, but to what degree? Is that just a complete fraud? Or can I use one of those products to take care of a lot (not all, I am sure) of my spray needs? If so, what kind of a "one and done" would be best? If there are some other absolutely critical spray needs in addition to a one and done, what would those be? I suspect I may get some criticism I�m just trying to find a lazy way out when there really is none, and I will accept that to some degree. But I still think I and countless other amateurs who just can�t/won�t or don�t have the knowledge needed to buy multiple sprays for each fruit and apply them every few days, would benefit enormously from some kind of simplified, stripped down, generalized instructions (product, schedule, etc) on spraying for the most common needs of most fruit trees. If I�m just dreaming that such a thing exists, and one and done products are useless, tell me that. If not, any "dumbed down" advice/information would be apreciated |
Follow-Up Postings:
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- Posted by harvestman 6 (My Page) on Sun, Dec 8, 13 at 7:51
| Check the topic "apple tree pollination and rootstocks". Bottom comment includes my spray sched. |
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- Posted by thecityman 6a (My Page) on Sun, Dec 8, 13 at 13:17
| Ask and I shall receive! Harvestman, that little post met every one of my questions and hopes for a fairly simplified spraying plan. What perfect timing! Thanks. Each time I google spraying XYZ fruit tree, I find long, complex lists of sprays and schedules for each type of fruit. I just had a hard time believing that average hobby growers did all that. Now it appears that at least some professional orchard managers don't either. I can comprehend, afford, and take the time to do your plan, so thanks. |
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- Posted by harvestman 6 (My Page) on Sun, Dec 8, 13 at 15:49
| The only problem is I was somehow thinking you were in the northeast and I'm not sure how that schedule will do in Tennessee (I think I read that's where you are), but at least it is a start. You may have more issues than I do with Oriental fruit moth which would extend your spray season- especially defending stone fruit, but if you don't start with lowest possible spray you will never find out how little you can get away with. Take some chances when trees only have a little crop and watch closely after studying pictures of most likely pests. |
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- Posted by thecityman 6a (My Page) on Sun, Dec 8, 13 at 18:56
| Yes, Tennessee, and yes, I am 95% sure that I have major problems with Oriental Fruit moth, or something similar. You see, my new peach trees have this horrible thing happen to them all through the summer where the tips of many of the branches die, then the tree compensates by having new growth appear on either side of the dead tip. this grows fast and healthy as can be for a few weeks, then suddenly it dies too. I've posted about this before and while I've read about several different things that can cause tips to die, everything I've seen looks most like OFM. Someone suggested that I use oil this winter, so I bought some Ortho Volck Oil Spray yesterday (mineral oil is active ingredient). Hopefully that will help???? |
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- Posted by harvestman 6 (My Page) on Sun, Dec 8, 13 at 21:26
| Sounds like OFM. I get decent control when this occurs by only spraying the growing tips- seems to knock out the population before they reach the fruit here. Spray when flagging first begins to occur. You can do this precisely with a small hand sprayer and takes a small fraction of material as would dousing the entire tree. |
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