Apricot, Cherry, Peach, and Plum Pest Management for Home Gardeners R-07-02-1M-35

A2130

pricot, cherry, peach, and plum pest management for home gardeners AD.L. MAHR, P.S. MCMANUS, and T.R. ROPER Apricots, cherries, peaches, and bladder-like fruit. These diseases can may rapidly invade. Traps are avail- plums are collectively known as be controlled by a single spray after able; place them at least 50 feet away stone fruits. Stone fruits can grow in leaf fall in the autumn or before bud from plants you wish to protect as many areas of Wisconsin, but they swell in early spring. Sprays applied they attract beetles. If you have just a are often short-lived due to their sen- later in the spring or summer will be few small fruit trees, you can protect sitivity to cold winter temperatures. ineffective. them by placing floating row covers They are also susceptible to many Black knot causes dark brown over the trees just after blossoms disease and insect pests. These pests or black swellings on the branches of have fallen to allow pollination. must be managed to produce quality plum and cherry trees. By April 1, Reduce peachtree borers and crops and to ensure survival of the prune all infected branches and burn lesser peachtree borers by trees. This bulletin is a companion to or remove them; spraying alone will spraying or painting the trunks and Extension publication Growing Apricots, not control the disease. lower limbs with a product con- Cherries, Peaches, and Plums in Wisconsin The fungus that causes brown taining permethrin, esfenvalerate, or (A3639), which describes pests and rot overwinters in infected fruit, or endosulfan. Follow label directions cultural practices in greater detail. “mummies,” on the ground or in the on timing, rates, and limitations. Use Chemical pesticides are frequently tree. Remove mummies and destroy an asphalt-based tree wound paint to a part of a well-managed orchard. them by burning, burying, or com- reduce borer problems. Carefully However, they are only one tool in posting. If the disease has been a clean any existing wounds—such as the overall management scheme. problem in previous years, and the winter cracks, lawn mower injury or Other management practices such as weather is warm and rainy, apply a borer sites—down to sound wood pruning, fertilizing, irrigating, and fungicide at early bloom. Later, if and then thoroughly paint them with choosing appropriate plant materials conditions are warm, wet, and humid, tree wound dressing as soon as are equally important to the health of additional applications may be needed weather conditions allow. Treat fresh the orchard. Pesticides won’t compen- at 10- to 14-day intervals beginning wounds as soon as they occur. sate for poor management practices about 3 weeks before harvest. Weed management or inappropriate species or cultivars. Diseases caused by viruses can be prevented by planting certified Weeds or other vegetation may Disease management virus-free trees from a reputable reduce yields and fruit quality by Cherry leaf spot can cause nursery. competing for light, water, and nutri- severe early defoliation of sweet and ents. They may also harbor insect tart cherry and some other stone fruits. Insect management pests or diseases. Keep a vegetation- Removing and destroying fallen leaves Aphids may be prevalent if trees free area of 2–3 feet in radius around in the autumn or early spring will help were not treated with a dormant each tree. This also protects tender reduce the population of the fungal spray. Use an insecticidal soap when tree trunks from damage caused by pathogen. The fungus infects through aphids first appear. mowers and string trimmers. stomates (breathing pores) of leaves, Japanese beetles feed on the Vegetation may be controlled so fungicide treatment should start as fruit and foliage of all stone fruits either mechanically or chemically. the leaves are unfolding in the spring. and can cause substantial injury, espe- Mechanical methods include shallow This usually coincides with petal fall. cially in the 2–3 weeks before harvest. (1–2 inches deep) cultivation every 1 Peach leaf curl of peach and The small ( ⁄3 inch) metallic green and few weeks with a sharp hoe or shovel, nectarine causes puckered, discolored reddish beetles feed from late June being careful not to damage the trunk leaves. A related disease on plum, through early August. Insecticides or roots. A mulch of shredded bark, plum pockets, causes swollen will kill the adults present, but others wood chips, sawdust, straw, or other PEST MANAGEMENT FOR HOME GARDENERS

APRICOT, CHERRY, PEACH, AND PLUM PEST MANAGEMENT

organic materials that will stop weeds thoroughly wrap trunks of young trees apply it separately. Do not use may also be used. Do not mound with plastic wrap or aluminum foil. captan in the same spray with mulches up around the trunk. Apply Remove and discard the wrap shortly either lime or copper materials. them in a “donut” fashion around the after treating. Glyphosate must be used ■ When spraying, cover plants trunk. Mulches need to be renewed according to label directions. thoroughly with any of the sug- each year or two to remain effective. Spraying tips gested materials for maximum Chemical herbicides are registered ■ benefit. for use on specific crops. Crop informa- Do not apply the following mate- tion is given on the label. For control- rials to stone fruits within the ling weeds that are already growing, specified period before harvest: References to pesticide products in this apply glyphosate. Glyphosate kills carbaryl 1 day publication are for your convenience and actively growing annual and perennial Imidan 14 days are not an endorsement of one product weeds. It is a non-selective, non- malathion 3 days over other similar products. You are methoxychlor 14 days responsible for using pesticides according residual herbicide and will kill desir- to the manufacturer’s current label direc- able plants as readily as weeds. It is ■ Mix fungicides and insecticides tions. Follow directions exactly to protect selective only through selective appli- together and apply at one time. the environment and people from chemical exposure. Failure to do so violates the law. cation. Before spraying glyphosate, However, if using hydrated lime,

Suggested spray schedule—read the text of this bulletin before deciding to spray When to spray Pests Material per gallon water* Dormant—before growth Diseases peach leaf curl, plum pockets 1 cup lime sulfur (liquid) or begins in spring Bordeaux mixture1 or chlorothalonil (Daconil)1 or 1 tbsp ferbam Insects aphids, mites 1 cup lime sulfur (liquid) Early bloom— Diseases brown rot 1 tsp Rovral 50WP or 2 tbsp captan2 50% WP 10% of blossoms open Insects Do not apply insecticides during bloom. Protect pollinator insects. At petal fall—when 90% of Diseases cherry leaf spot 2 tbsp captan2 50% WP or blossoms have fallen chlorothalonil (Daconil)1 Insects curculio, destructive prune moth, 2 tbsp carbaryl 50% WP or eyespotted bud moth, fruittree leafroller, 2 tbsp methoxychlor 50% WP or redbanded leafroller 3 tbsp Imidan 12.5% WP 10 days after petal fall Diseases cherry leaf spot 2 tbsp captan2 50% WP Spray every 10–14 days until Insects cherry fruit flies, cherry fruitworm, 2 tbsp carbaryl 50% WP or fruit begins to ripen curculio, Japanese beetle, leafrollers 3 tbsp Imidan 12.5% WP 3–21 days before harvest Diseases brown rot same as Early Bloom 2–3 weeks after harvest Diseases cherry leaf spot 2 tbsp captan2 50% WP or chlorothalonil (Daconil)1 *tbsp = level tablespoon; tsp = level teaspoon; WP = wettable powder. 1Commercial formulations vary. Use the amount specified on the product label. 2Captan has a 4-day re-entry period. Some all-purpose fruit sprays containing captan may have different restrictions. Follow label directions.

© 2000 University of Wisconsin-System Board of Regents and University of Wisconsin-Extension, Cooperative Extension Authors: D.L. Mahr is professor of entomology, P.S. McManus is associate professor of plant pathology, and T.R. Roper is professor of horticulture, College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison and University of Wisconsin-Extension, Cooperative Extension. Produced by Cooperative Extension Publications, University of Wisconsin-Extension. University of Wisconsin-Extension, Cooperative Extension, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Wisconsin counties, publishes this information to further the purpose of the May 8 and June 30, 1914 Acts of Congress; and provides equal opportunities and affirmative action in employment and programming. If you need this material in an alternative format, contact the Office of Equal Opportunity and Diversity Programs or call Cooperative Extension Publications at 608-262-2655. This publication is available from your Wisconsin county Extension office or from Cooperative Extension Publications, 45 N. Charter St., Madison, Wisconsin 53715. Phone 608-262-3346, toll free 877-WIS-PUBS. Web site: www.uwex.edu/ces/pubs/.

A2130 Apricot, Cherry, Peach, and Plum Pest Management for Home Gardeners R-07-02-1M-35