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Garden Gate:  Apple and Pear Trees. Need Help.  |
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kristin sherrill
True Blue Farmgirl
11303 Posts
kristin
chickamauga
ga
USA
11303 Posts |
 Posted - Apr 22 2011 : 5:26:46 PM
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I noticed the other day that something is eating the leaves on my 3 young apple trees. I got some insecticidal soap and just went down there to spray them. I saw lots of little wormy caterpillars falling out of the branches. So I guess that's what's eating them. I will probably not get apples from them this year. And they were loaded with blossoms too. I hope that soap works.
Then I went to look at my pear trees. Last year they had fire blight. I had to cut them way back and lost all the little pears. The trees are on their 4th year now. So this year they are loaded with blossoms all over. And I saw lots of little red pears!!! But I also saw what looks like fire blight again. I pruned the branches and threw them away. I so hope they don't get it again. I want my own pears SO bad. Does anyone know what I can spray on them now to help them? And is it too late to save the pears?
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
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KD Earthwork
True Blue Farmgirl
210 Posts
Katie
Gualala
Calif.
USA
210 Posts |
Posted - May 13 2011 : 9:37:07 PM
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I had fire blight on a beautiful Asian Pear. I researched it quite a bit and found that sometimes too much water contributes to it. So last year lot's of the country had a wet cool summer contributing to fire blight. Cutting it back the way you did is what I learned as well then really getting rid of the cuttings. I also have been picking off infected leaves when they first comes out. My tree kept getting worse and finally I had to cut it down, although this tree was at work and we gardeners tried to talk my boss out of cutting it. I do believe a dormant spray helps, The copper is a great fungicide. I'm trying not to spray it anymore at home, unless there is a problem.
There are pears that are more fire blight resistant. Also good maintenance, adequate water and fertilizer not too extreme pruning, keeping the grass down around trees, protecting the base of the trees.I like to mulch my trees with horse manure. Sterilizing pruners between trees( alcohol,hydrogen peroxide) , or cuts if tree is infected.
Good luck I hope the tree pulls through, love it a lot . Katie
http://www.rosemancreekranch.com |
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kristin sherrill
True Blue Farmgirl
11303 Posts
kristin
chickamauga
ga
USA
11303 Posts |
Posted - May 14 2011 : 06:54:17 AM
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Thanks, Katie. I know they get too much water down there. The other 2 trees are ok. Just the one bigger tree. I have been pruning off the bad branches. It's also where we can't get down there to mow alot so there is alot of tall grass. I should see about moving them this fall if they are doing ok then. I could move them up to where my 3 new apple trees are. The are up higher and it's much drier there even though it's only about 30' away.
Also saw the little stinkin' caterpillars that have been eating the apple trees. I sprayed and dusted but it's too late now to get apples because they ate all the blossoms. So hopefully next year I can catch it earleir.
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
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adnama
True Blue Farmgirl
171 Posts
inge
fargo
north dakota
USA
171 Posts |
Posted - May 14 2011 : 07:03:55 AM
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| When your removing branchs that are infected with blight be sure to spray your saw between each cut to not transfer to another tree or other branch. I use a spray bottle with alchol and water mix to disinfect upon the saw and the branch, our county agent recommended this procedure years ago and I don't know if things have changed since then, but it seemed to help a lot. |
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kristin sherrill
True Blue Farmgirl
11303 Posts
kristin
chickamauga
ga
USA
11303 Posts |
Posted - May 14 2011 : 07:07:03 AM
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Inge, I have just taken a container of bleach and dipped the pruners in after each cut. Thanks for the other ways too.
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
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Garden Gate: Apple and Pear Trees. Need Help. |
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Apple and Pear Trees. Need Help.
