In this Issue
- Codling moth: first generation spray dates provided for most locations
- Fire blight: risk is very high for infection of open flowers through May 16 (all of northern Utah)
- Coryneum blight: treat with fungicide before or after 4-hr rain event
- Raspberry horntail: treat canes in late May
APPLE, PEAR
Codling Moth
View a pdf of the spray timing table. Be sure to read the instructions at the top of the page, for how to understand the table. Codling moth is a pest that needs to be treated all season long for clean fruit.
Codling moth treatment timing is coming up in mid-May for many areas of northern Utah. Dates for the remaining locations will be provided when available.
The table of dates provides two options for managing the first generation. “Option A” is the traditional method, where the first insecticide coincides with egg hatch. So the spray application would target young larvae, which may occur on fruitlets or on leaves.
“Option B” targets the eggs themselves with horticultural oil. A 1% application will smother all eggs laid up to that point, providing a “clean slate.” Then, an insecticide application is made later, targeting the larvae that will begin hatching from the new set of eggs laid after the oil application. This option has provided excellent control in many Pacific Northwest orchards, and also saves at least one insecticide spray.
Whether you are growing organic or conventional, the only non-spray option for clean fruit is to bag them (click here and here for more info on bagging fruit.)
Treatment:
Spray options for commercial growers.
The table below provides some options for backyard trees. It is important to know how long your spray application will last. For the product you are using, check the “active ingredients” on the front label of your product (in small print on the lower right or left of the label). Sometimes there are several ingredients, sometimes, just one. Some materials last longer than others, and the time between sprays is not always listed on the label.
| Product Name | Efficacy | Residual Length (days) | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
| CONVENTIONAL | |||
| Spectracide Triazicide (gamma-cyhalothrin) | Good to Excellent | 14-17 | wait 21 days to harvest |
| Monterey Bug Buster 11 (esfenvalerate) | Good to Excellent | 14-17 | wait 21 days to harvest |
| Bonide Fruit Tree & Plant Guard (lambda-cyhalothrin) | Good to Excellent | 14-17 | wait 21 days to harvest |
| Bonide Malathion; Hi Yield Malathion | Good | 5-7 | max 2 applications; some products are pears only |
| GardenTech Sevin (zeta-cypermethrin) | Good to Excellent | 14-17 | wait 14 days to harvest |
| ORGANIC | |||
| Safer BioNeem (azadirachtin) | Fair to Good | 7-10 | |
| Cyd-X (codling moth virus) | Good (if populations are low) | 7 | works best when used at beginning of generation; expensive and purchase online |
| oil such as All Seasons Oil, EcoSmart, Neem oil | Good on eggs only | 3 | recommended for first application of the generation only |
| Ortho Fruit Spray; Fertilome Fruit Tree Spray; Safer End All; Bonide Orchard Spray (all contain pyrethrin) | Good | 3-5 | |
| Monterey / Fertilome Spinosad; Captain Jack's Deadbug Brew; Natural Guard (all contain spinosad) | Good | 10 | max 6 applications per season; if applying to peach or cherry, can re-apply after 7 days |
Fire Blight
The risk for fire blight infections is EXTREME for all locations in northern Utah. This is only a concern if there are still any open blossoms on apple or pear. Remember that the late flowers are often the most “dangerous” for new infections.
Spray options for commercial growers: In areas of streptomycin resistance, the use of Kasumin plus a half-rate of Mycoshield provides excellent control.
For backyard growers, you can purchase “Fire Blight Spray” or “Streptomycin Spray” at local garden centers.
PEACH/NECTARINE, APRICOT
Coryneum Blight
On peaches, apply fungicide shuck split stage. Afterward, apply fungicide before or right after 4-hr rainfall to peach, nectarine, or apricot.
There is a chance of rain for northern Utah Friday and Saturday of this week (May 10,11). When temperatures are warm (above 75), all that is needed is 4 to 6 hours of rain to cause new infections.
Keep an eye on the weather and amount of rainfall to estimate whether a fungicide application might be needed.
Products for commercial growers.
For backyard growers:
- Captan is only effective when applied before a rain.
- Spectracide Immunox can be applied before or after a rain, but when applied after rain, it may not provide complete protection from infection.
- The only organic option is Natural Guard Copper Soap. It should be applied before a rain.
SMALL FRUITS
Raspberry Horntail
If raspberry horntail has been a problem, treat for adults between May 25 and May 31 for areas along the Wasatch Front.
Raspberry horntail is a sawfly that lays eggs in canes. The eggs hatch into larvae that then feed inside the upper canes, causing the tops to wilt and die. Adult horntails will soon begin emerging from canes that were infested last year, towards the end of May.
If raspberry horntail is a problem in your area, an insecticide application to prevent egg-laying should go on May 25-31 for areas along the Wasatch Front (one week later in cooler areas).
Synthetic pyrethroids (or the organic, pyrethrin) and Sevin are effective. Spinosad is another option, but unproven. A second application should be applied 10-14 days later, depending on product residual and when bloom time is projected to begin. Avoid treating during bloom.