Re: [NAFEX] Plum curculio

[Clayton/Kim <dnclayton@monad.net>]

Dear Claude,

I have now switched to Surround but for10 years relied on Imidan for pc control.  I have a hobby
orchard with 50+ apple varieties, 15+ pears, likewise plums, etc.  I was always able to get
effective control of the pc with just one spray, targeted just on the fruit trees.  I wanted to
minimize the collateral damage.

I waited till most of the petals had fallen off the last apple, spraying between May 25th and
June 9th according to my records (probably the June 9th was rain delayed). This would be a
couple of weeks after the earliest plums had dropped their petals.  I'm in SW New Hampshire,
what used to be zone 4/5 boundary.  We always have, what seems like to me, heavy pressure; an
orchard full of pc busily laying eggs.  I scout for pc every day during this critical period.
Not just pc, but the damage.  You can easily watch the progression/degradation and as long as
you kill them before they've hit more fruit than you were going to have to take off anyway, hey,
what's the rush?

I'm much relieved to be able to give up the Imidan.  Surround is a lot more work  and money
(many applications) but worth it to me.  My neighbors are happier too.  They like to walk their
dogs early in the morning and will frequently pass through our orchard and I would always have
to notify them when I was going to spray and forbid entry to the orchard for a few days and all
that.  Needless to say it can freak people out to see one all geared up with the respirator,
goggles'n all . . . .   Another advantage with the Surround is that I don't have to get up
before first light (which I hate) and race to get it on before the wind comes up as I did with
the Imidan, or hope for a still evening when you might get it done before dark.   Ed F's full
moon technique only worked one year for me timing wise.

If you go with the Imidan see if you can do it with one, well timed but thorough cover.

Doug Clayton
South Slope Mt. Monadnock NH


Claude Jolicoeur wrote:

> Hello all,
> This year, I want to spray my plums for plum curculio. I haven't done it
> before, but with global warming, it seems the little beasts now survive the
> milder winters we have had recently. Last year, they didn't leave me more
> than a couple of plums while, a few years ago, they only got about 10% of
> the crop. This increase in damage has triggered me to do something about it.
>
> Unfortunately, Surround is still not on sale in Canada (as far as I know).
> So I am looking for suggestions on an efficient spray for this pest, as
> well as timing recommendations.
>
> I expect flowering will start by May 25. I have 3 trees to treat, 10-15
> years old.
>
> Thanks,
> Claude
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