| I have a red delicious and transparent apple tree. They have not been pruned for at least 8 years. The fruit is small. When should I prune them and how. Also, I have never sprayed them.When should I and with what? Thanks. |
| your apple trees can be sprayed with Bordeaux (lime-sulfur). This fungicide must be applied early and thoroughly to protect new growth. Apply according to label directs; as the buds break until the leaves are fully expanded. Do this at prepink, pink, calyx, and first cover. Since the fungus overwinters in fallen leaves and fruit, be sure to thoroughly clean up and dispose of plant debris in the fall months. The brown trails through the fruit indicate apple maggot presence. There has been some success with with phermone (sex attractant) traps to catch the adult fly. You can also make sticky-traps to hang in your tree; use red balls or old plastic Christmas tree ornaments coated with petroleum jelly to trap the females. (They lay their eggs oi developing apple fruits and the eggs hatch into little worms burrow their way through the fruit. The brown trails are the tunnels where they've been.) Again, be sure to dispose of, or bury any fruit that has fallen on the ground. Because your apple tree problems are so extensive, I'd suggest visiting your local Cooperative Extension office for detailed control measures. You can tell when apples are ripe by waiting for a few to fall naturally from the tree. Cut these open. If the seeds inside are brown, the apples are ready to be picked. Hope the above information is helpful. your apple trees can be sprayed with Bordeaux (lime-sulfur). This fungicide must be applied early and thoroughly to protect new growth. Apply according to label directs; as the buds break until the leaves are fully expanded. Do this at prepink, pink, calyx, and first cover. Since the fungus overwinters in fallen leaves and fruit, be sure to thoroughly clean up and dispose of plant debris in the fall months. The brown trails through the fruit indicate apple maggot presence. There has been some success with with phermone (sex attractant) traps to catch the adult fly. You can also make sticky-traps to hang in your tree; use red balls or old plastic Christmas tree ornaments coated with petroleum jelly to trap the females. (They lay their eggs oi developing apple fruits and the eggs hatch into little worms burrow their way through the fruit. The brown trails are the tunnels where they've been.) Again, be sure to dispose of, or bury any fruit that has fallen on the ground. Because your apple tree problems are so extensive, I'd suggest visiting your local Cooperative Extension office for detailed control measures. You can tell when apples are ripe by waiting for a few to fall naturally from the tree. Cut these open. If the seeds inside are brown, the apples are ready to be picked. Hope the above information is helpful. |
