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some sort of spray program. Five or six well timed spays can produce a rather clean crop in some years, but the growing season is different each year in the amount of insect and disease pressure. What works well one year may produce poor results next.
Commercial growers have the knowledge and tools to monitor disease and insect pressure and spray at optimum times for best control. Homeowners are often relegated to spraying on Saturday morning, which may not be the best time based on the life stage of an insect or fungus. My results vary from year to year on the amount of blemish free fruit produced.
Several companies market iHome Orchard or Home Fruit Sprays that usually contain the fungicide captan, and the insecticides malathion and methozychlor. These products do a good job if used as directed, although there are a few serious diseases of apples they do not control.
There are a few organic home orchard products that contain copper and sulfur as fungicides, and rotenone and pyrethrum for the insects.
For more information on fruit trees, especially as to varieties, spacing, and cultural information, check out Tree Fruits in the Home Garden on the Virginia Cooperative Extension web site at http ://www. ext. vt. edu/pubs/e nvirohort/426-841/426841.html, or call your local Extension Office for a copy.
Chuck Hoysa is the Extension Agent, Horticulture for PD 9, and is located at 24 Pelham Street in Warrenton. You may reach him at crhoysa@vt.edu, or at 341-7950, extension 14.
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