- Read The Label! No matter what any article tells you or what we recommend, always read the Label on any product you intend to use and follow the directions on the Label.
- Wintertime is the ideal time for dormant spray. The month of February is a great time for winter pruning and applying a dormant horticultural oil. Using dormant season oil will protect all of your fruit trees, berry bushes, as well as pecans and chestnuts. Dormant oil will be the first spray of the season, and it’s imperative to coat the entire tree or as much as possible to protect from overwintering pests. Be sure to get this done before spring bud break. Neem Oil is an excellent organic insecticide, miticide, and fungicide used as a dormant spray.
- Your next application is the only spray that you would ever apply to your fruit trees during bloom. The active ingredient in the spray is streptomycin sulfate for fire blight in apples, pears, and crabapples. Fire Blight is a bacterial disease that infects these species. Spraying during bloom is crucial for the complete protection of your trees. My advice would be to spray early morning or late evening to avoid as many pollinating insects as possible.
- Copper Fungicide is excellent for fungus, leaf spot, leaf curl, and rots. Wait until petal fall to start applying copper fungicide.
- Pest and disease control sprays are to be used anytime after the pollination period has ended. Once all flowering blooms(Petals) have fallen from the tree, you can then treat them. We recommend applying early morning or late evening to avoid killing any beneficial insects.
- Systemics work great for pest control over an extended period. But it’s imperative to only apply after petal drop. Also, only use recommended amount and products specifically for fruit trees. ( Bayer Citrus and Fruit) This one-time application can control Japanese beetles, aphids, thrips, whiteflies, scale, termites, and other harmful insects.
- Please be sure to Read the Label and follow all precautions and directions.
