Question
When is the proper time to apply dormant spray? And If I use dormant spray do I still need to spray later in the season. I have apples, pears, peaches, apricots. Also will dormant spray help with the Japanese beetle?
Answer(s)
The spray that is
applied to the fruit trees is actually a "Delayed Dormant Oil." We have
a sheet in the office that shows at what bud stage to apply the delayed
dormant oil. It has pictures of each of the types of fruits trees and
shows the right time to apply it. If you send me your address, I will
be happy to send you a copy.
For general information:
The delayed dormant oil is a wonderful step in Integrated Pest
Management. It will kill both the eggs and adults of aphids, mites,
peach twig borer, pear psylla, scale insects and leafrollers before
they can cause problems. They also can't get resistance to it- they
can't say "this time I'll smother, next time I won't."
Apples: apply the delayed dormant spray at first sign of green on
bud tips to ½" green stage (about 2-3 weeks before bloom)
for coddling moth, apply the delayed dormant spray
starting 10 days after petal fall. Reapply sprays based on protection
interval through the first week of
September
Pears: for coddling moth, apply the delayed dormant spray starting
10 days after petal fall. Reapply sprays based on protection interval
through the first week of
September
Peaches, Nectarines, and Plums- apply the delayed dormant oil from
first bud swell to first pink (peach) or green tip (plum)
Cherries: apply delayed dormant spray at bud swell to green tip
Apricots: apply delayed dormant spray from separation of bud scales to
first sign of white in bud tips
There is an excellent booklet that we sell at the office that you can
access for free online. It is called the Home Orchard Pest Management
Guide. It is published by Utah State University. To view this
information, go to:
http://extension.usu.edu/files
You can use "horticulture oil" or "volck" oil. The difference between
the spring delayed dormant oil, and the fall dormant spray, is the
amount of oil used. The directtions should be on the label for both
formulations.
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