Re: Slightly OT -- dormant spray

Nan Sterman wrote:
> 
> Hi folks -- I have two slightly off topic questions about dormant
> spray.
> 
> I know that I use copper on apricots and lime-sulfur on
> peaches/nectarines/plums, etc.
> 
> Q 1:  The copper bottle says I can use it on peaches/nectarines/plums
> as well.  So do I use both types of spray on these trees?  If so, can
> I spray them on the same day?  Or how do I sequence them?

Hi Nan
Better late than never I guess. 

Re Q1 Copper and sulphur are alternative winter cleanup sprays and there
is some advantage in using both where one can, as they do guard against
a slightly different range of pest organisms. while however copper is
not damaging to any dormant stone fruit, sulphur, though OK for most
will definitely cause bark damage to  apricots and must not be used on
them, so they  have to get by with copper only.

For those trees that can take it the correct sequence is usually
considered to be first the copper and then the lime sulphur. 

NEVER MIX THE TWO however or you can cause serious damage to any tree
and allow a minimum of two full weeks between your two different
applications.

One way to apply both sprays is to use the copper just as the leaves
fall in autumn as a"cleanup" spray and then apply the lime sulphur some
time round midwinter or at least before the buds begin to move. I wonder
if you would by now have time to get both on before the buds open. If
not I would use just the lime sulphur this time (substituting copper for
the apricot) and start earlier with the copper next winter.

It is the lime sulphur which is the problem as it doesn'r mix safely
with any other sort of spray (You will probably find a warning to this
effect among the instructions on the container).

> 
> Q2:  can I use lime-sulfur on pluots (plum/apricot hybrids)?

I am afraid I have no information about these. I don't think we have
them here. Perhaps you could consult an appropriate extension officer in
your area. In the meantime the safest course would be to stick to just
copper.

Moira

-- 
Tony & Moira Ryan <theryans@xtra.co.nz>
Wainuiomata, New Zealand, SW Pacific. 12 hours ahead of Greenwich Time
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