Phase 4, final of orchard project, (Maybe?)

For the lawn care guys, I had to have my neighbor drive my tractor so I could spray between the rows with a chem lawn gun. Didn't want to be embarrassed by weeds. Spray booms and apple trees don't mix real well.

 

That's a lot of apple trees. When will your harvest time start and end?

 

Zestar should start 8/15, Premier Honeycrisp first part of Sept., Regular honeycrisp 9/15. I think the Firestorm Honeycrisp is going to be 2 weeks later but the literature does not indicate that. But what I have seen so far and bloom time it sure seems like it. Gala and Macs the week after that. Wolf River and Granny smith in October.

 

Wolf River seems like an unique name for an apple.

 

That is an "old school" apple, that has been around forever. They are absolutely HUGE, they get the size of softballs and weigh 1.25#s each.

 

Always impressed by your pics and attention to detail. Good work.

 

What would you recommend to kill the bugs so the apples don't get bug bites, and when do I apply , when the apple just start to form?

 

That is not an easy question, it depends on the time of year. Imidan is used the most and is general all purpose. Right at petal fall they will probably get Imidan and Volium Flexi. Later in the season Wrangler or Sevin, (liquid Carbyrl)


Sevin right after petal fall will act as a thinner and knock apples off. Actually will use a very light application of Sevin 8oz in 40 gallons water along with Fruitone to thin on purpose.

Just like fungicides, it is a really good idea to change up insecticides so resistance does not become an issue. Some products are better suited so some pests than others. I have an issue with Plum Curilio and Volium Flexi is the only thing that seems to phase them.

 

Our biggest problem here are Japanese beetles which can weaken the trees by eating much of the foliage in July. The two trees that they really set in on have very few flower buds this season.

 

Wrangler, (Imadacloporid) @ 3 oz/acre nukes Japanese Beetles. Sevin, (carbaryl) is pretty effective too. I change up to that come July when apple maggot starts. FWIW, I have never even seen an apple maggot. I'll catch a few Coddling moths and have seen Brown Marmorated Stink bugs but very little damage.

 

Took some pics today, 8/15. rt harvest in about a week.

 

Those are some beauties!