Plum curculio

Question: Hello. I am growing 3 year old peach and apple trees and having trouble managing pests. My peach trees have not had any edible fruit for the last 2 years because of a severe plum curculio problem (I believe). More than half of the peaches fell off before maturing, and the rest had worm like insects inside and sap(?) oozing out. I also had pretty severe beetle infestations. My apple trees are not yet producing but I would like to be proactive with those if possible.

My current regimen includes a late winter spray, and then again after petals fall with captain jack’s copper fungicide and all seasons horticultural spray. I also sprayed twice this year after seeing the plum curculio damage with captain jack’s dead bug brew. 

I am hoping you could give me a good schedule and regiment for organic sprays in my home orchard so next year we can hopefully enjoy the fruit.

responder: Answered by the Home and Garden Information Center (HGIC), University of Maryland Extension. For timely gardening information and tips, subscribe to our Maryland Grows blog and quarterly newsletter. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Replied July 20, 2023, 11:28 AM EDT
response: Hi- sorry to hear about your plum curculio challenge. Peach and apple have the most pest and disease problems of all fruits grown in MD. Step 1 is to pick off and pick up all symptomatic peaches and apples and remove them from the area (don't compost them). Organic pesticides are usually less effective than synthetic pesticides.   Good plum curculio web pages that go into detail on organic and non-chemical management options such as kaolin clay and spinosad: https://newswire.caes.uga.edu/story/8869/plum-curculio.html  https://entomology.ca.uky.edu/ef202  https://barron.extension.wisc.edu/files/2023/02/Plum-Curculio.pdf  Information on spinosad use in urban, organic orchards:  You can also protect individual fruits with mesh or paper bags. This is becoming more common for peach and apple growers. Here are some links to information:  https://www.clemson.edu/extension/peach/commercial/diseases/clemsonfruitbags.html  https://www.phillyorchards.org/2015/07/02/bagging-fruit/  https://entomology.ca.uky.edu/ef218  There are a bunch of YouTube videos on using netting and bagging techniques.   VA Tech Home Fruit Disease and Insects (includes spray schedule; see pages 3-14 through 3-17). Sprays need to coat all upper and lower leaf surfaces and branch/trunk surfaces.  Jon

responder: The Question Asker Replied July 20, 2023, 11:57 AM EDT
response: Thank you. If I do the bagging method, how often would I need to spray if at all? I read a few different things but I’m thinking a late winter dormant oil spray, then spinosad after petal fall, and then once more before bagging. Does this seem appropriate?On Thu, Jul 20, 2023 at 11:28 AM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:

responder: Answered by the Home and Garden Information Center (HGIC), University of Maryland Extension. For timely gardening information and tips, subscribe to our Maryland Grows blog and quarterly newsletter. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Replied July 20, 2023, 12:13 PM EDT
response: Hi- the two spinosad sprays should help control plum curculio and other pests.   Brown rot is a huge problem for peach fruit and fungicide sprays need to be applied at 5% open blooms and again at 90% bloom. Bagging fruit with paper or other non-mesh bags may help limit brown rot infections. Jon

responder: Answered by the Home and Garden Information Center (HGIC), University of Maryland Extension. For timely gardening information and tips, subscribe to our Maryland Grows blog and quarterly newsletter. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Replied July 20, 2023, 1:09 PM EDT
response: Hi- the two spinosad sprays should help control plum curculio and other pests.   Brown rot is a huge problem for peach fruit and fungicide sprays need to be applied at 5% open blooms and again at 90% bloom. Bagging fruit with paper or other non-mesh bags may help limit brown rot infections. https://www.extension.purdue.edu/extmedia/BP/BP-45-W.pdf Jon

responder: The Question Asker Replied March 03, 2024, 11:10 AM EST
response: Good morning!I hope it’s ok I’m replying to this old email. I am spraying my trees today with fungicide and dormant oil, and noticed this at the base of the trunks. They have peeling bark, and jello like substance coming out. What is going on with my trees and what should I do?Thank you for your help,Kelly DennOn Thu, Jul 20, 2023 at 1:09 PM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:

responder: Answered by the Home and Garden Information Center (HGIC), University of Maryland Extension. For timely gardening information and tips, subscribe to our Maryland Grows blog and quarterly newsletter. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Replied March 04, 2024, 8:46 AM EST
response: Hi- the injury to the bark and underlying tissues was probably caused by one or more factors. If the damage was not visible last year it was most likely caused by deer feeding, deer antler rubbing, or some other mechanical injury. Canker diseases would have caused depressed, darkened areas to develop on the bark. The large amount of sap at the tree base is a result of the tree defending itself against internal (peach tree borer) or external injury.  The damage is significant and cause the tree to decline. You can remove peeling/shredded bark with a razor blade but don't cut into the wood or coat the wounds with anything. If deer are present, erect a simple wire mesh enclosure around but not touching the trunk up to the first set of scaffold branches.  Continue to care for your tree and monitor it for signs of improvement or decline. Jon