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Orchard insect pests: biology, points of vulnerability, trap thresholds, spray specifics, natural predators, ecosystem balance.
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Results 1 - 30 of 48leaf mulch - 4 months ago
Here's a home grower question, please. I'm "stuck" up here in MA for the foreseeable future -- New Englanders, how do you do this never ending cool weather???! While I'm up here, I'm helping my brother with his 5 fruit trees (~2-3 years old). As others have noted, sourcing hardwood chips isn't always straight forward those of us w/o chippers. Also, the arborists that I've talked tby Josh Willis - Understory Management
Latest timing for last holistic spray? - 1 year ago
Didn't quite get to the last holistic spray this year. What's the latest date (or days from petal fall or fruit set) that a neem based holistic spray would actually be helpful? (or helpful enough to be worth it) I think there are 2 parts to this question. (1) its effectiveness within the timetable of disease and pest pressures, and (2) at what summer temps does Neem become a terrible idea?by Josh Willis - Spray Nuance
Re: Fire Blight vs. Blossom Blast / Wilt ID - 1 year ago
Thanks all. I think in the end this tree had both Blossom Blast and AB (its pencil-like frass seem unmistakable, and unfortunately, very widespread on this tree). Always fun disentangling simultaneous issues. Not much to be done about the latter (at this point), but we'll keep your good advice in mind for the former. Thanks!by Josh Willis - Bacterial Opportunists
Re: Trailer Sprayer rec. for community / backyard orchards? - 1 year ago
A follow up post for posterity. We ended up ordering the Northstar. 3 times it failed to hold pressure, and 3 times we received replacement parts to fix. No dice. Off it goes for return. May be a lemon, but we won't be trying them again.by Josh Willis - Sensible Equipment
Fire Blight vs. Blossom Blast / Wilt ID - 1 year ago
Edit: Local extension ID'ed the fungus shoots as sign of Ambrosia Beetle. gulp! Always lovely to learn about a new fatal pest. Will leave this post up in case others have similar question, but let me know if it makes more sense to delete. -- Trying to ID what I suspect is fire blight and hope is a fungal issue instead, on a 10 y/o Pear. Any takers? Photos here: (apologies for tby Josh Willis - Bacterial Opportunists
Re: 11 y/o Pear that doesn't bloom - 1 year ago
oh, gulp! I had no idea. This is what I get for being an heir myself - the privileged spoils of time. great to know, Michael - thanks!by Josh Willis - Organic Thinning
Re: Verbascum as tap rooted cover - 1 year ago
Interesting read, thanks! Looks like a great source for iron & calcium, assuming the yellow dock correlates to the broadleaf dock.by Josh Willis - Understory Management
11 y/o Pear that doesn't bloom - 1 year ago
Anyone have ideas on this mystery? We have a Potomac Pear planted in 2008. Looks overall vigorous and healthy. No apparent disease or stress on it or any of our other pears. And yet. Last year it produced 2 blossoms. This year we count 3. While we have some soil nutrition issues to nudge in the right direction, other fruit trees near by are producing ok. So that doesn't seem like theby Josh Willis - Organic Thinning
Re: Verbascum as tap rooted cover - 1 year ago
Returning here to wonder about other taproot plants. As I spot loads of Broadleaf Dock, Rumex obtusifolius, in the orchard this year, I wonder about it’s nutrtional benefits...or unintended consequences (such as the mullein bug above). I read it has a 4-5’ tap root, which is a nice start. Anyone with info on Broadleaf Dock? Or a pointer of where to look up its nutritional profile? I’ve pokeby Josh Willis - Understory Management
Re: Mister / Mistblower efficacy w/Holistic Spray Mix and other thick sprays? - 1 year ago
I'm choosing to interpret your comment to mean that your Stihl gives an amazing strength training workout. Sounds good.by Josh Willis - Sensible Equipment
Mistblower efficacy w/ holistic mix and other thick sprays? - 1 year ago
Also curious if anybody out there uses a misting sprayer / blower (akin to the set up linked below) for Michael's holistic spray mix, straight neem oil, or other 'thick' sprays. While the mister seems it might get better coverage in theory, I wonder how much of the spray mix it actually is able to pick up (assuming it was well emulsified). Thanks. )by Josh Willis - Sensible Equipment
Spitz rootstocks - 1 year ago
We planted a couple Spitzenburg rows about 40 years ago, with M9 and M26. The apples were the best I remember tasting. The trees, of course, were perhaps the shortest lived. Anyone know if some of the more recent rootstocks (such as Geneva series, or other) have marginally better success for Spitz? (I know it'll be a battle no matter what.) Thank you.by Josh Willis - Apples
Re: Trailer Sprayer rec. for community / backyard orchards? - 1 year ago
Thank you all for chiming in! Mike, I definitely agree with spending money wisely on a good investment - that gets to why I love to ask these questions on HON. But as Peter mentions, it's just too hard to justify +$3000 more if there's no commercial return. That backpack sprayer is actually more or less the latest device we've used. Peter, it's good to hear your own experience. The Northby Josh Willis - Sensible Equipment
Re: Trailer Sprayer rec. for community / backyard orchards? - 1 year ago
Well, your good reviews of the Rears made me call them up to inquire. Sounds like the Nifty series runs about $3800! Probably well worth it for commercial, but very out of our range for backyard / community applications, unfortunately. If I understand the difference correctly, the 5hp engine on the Rears gives a high gpm rate + higher PSI...which sounds like it's more important for coverageby Josh Willis - Sensible Equipment
Re: Trailer Sprayer rec. for community / backyard orchards? - 1 year ago
That's interesting to hear, Mike. Did you use this particular NorthStar model? They describe a 30' vert spray distance. But I'm curious 'bout your actual experience. I'll also look into the BDI and MistBlower. Thanks!by Josh Willis - Sensible Equipment
Re: Trailer Sprayer rec. for community / backyard orchards? - 1 year ago
The Rears does look pretty nice, I was looking at their 25g Nifty Sprayer. (which should be sufficient for our ~80 trees, I think?). Though I didn't see a price online, so I got lazy and perhaps am drifting towards the NorthStar 21g tow behind tree sprayer (price is in the ball-park, and seems well reviewed). Good to hear your review, though, thank you! And Kevin - thanks for your thoughtby Josh Willis - Sensible Equipment
Re: encouraging conversation - 1 year ago
This question has percolated in the back of my mind, and I realized there is an important distinction at HON - in my mind at least. Michael and so many others here on HON have been wonderful stewards, welcoming amateurs and professionals alike. It's really appreciated by the community / back-yard orchardists among us! (If I can presume to speak for other lurkers.) At the same time, I reallby Josh Willis - Making It Better
Trailer Sprayer rec. for community / backyard orchards? - 1 year ago
Looking for product recommendations for a trailer sprayer, for community / backyard orchard type settings. We used a backpack for years, but with the 'help' getting older and wiser, I'm looking for something a little easier to manage (esp. for large mature trees). We'd hoped to attach something to the back frame of our lawn mower (a la Mower Boss style), but it all would seem jury-rigged...whby Josh Willis - Sensible Equipment
Re: Brix testing on the tree - 1 year ago
Here's a follow up question. How many apples per tree do you all sample before harvest? Ideally, of course, each apple has the same growing conditions. And of course, that is a hilarious ideal (for my crazy trees, at least). So I tend to sample at least 2-3 fruit / tree, sometimes more. But I'm curious what other folks do.by Josh Willis - Sensible Equipment
Re: Orchard Apprenticeship - 1 year ago
Hi Henry, Not sure if you are still looking at this point. But last year Eve's Cidery in Ithica, NY offered an internship for their orchard, and I suspect they'll do the same again in 2019. They have a nice website if you want to check them out. If you're interested in cold calling orchards, then just jump into some of the networks available. The more seasoned orchardists here can better pby Josh Willis - Just Talk
Re: Degree day calculation - 1 year ago
Hi David, I recently discovered some digital tools that track GDD / GDU's. I can't recall if the tools' calculation process was transparent enough to help you track for specific pests & diseases (i.e., not sure if they say what temp level is used as a baseline). Still, it might be worth a look if you're into that sort of thing. One was 'Agrible,' both an app and a website. Free basic toby Josh Willis - Just Talk
Re: Slope Sissy Hotline - 1 year ago
ha! I thought my increasing unease with the slopes I grow up on was in my head - a product of age & wisdom...but this year I'm finally convinced the darn things are just steeper! Well you make a good point, that slope is easier to fix than my mind. ; )by Josh Willis - Just Talk
Re: Ripening mystery - 1 year ago
That's interesting to hear our experience isn't totally unique in the area as well. Which makes me wonder more about our common weather pattern this year...it's been really wild, eh? Interesting thoughts on thinning, though I wouldn't think that's our own Winesap issue - it was not a particularly heavy bearing year for it.by Josh Willis - Tree Fruit Nutrition
Re: Verbascum as tap rooted cover - 1 year ago
ohhh indeed! Haha, oh my. Well this is why it's good to think twice and plant once. Thanks!by Josh Willis - Understory Management
Verbascum as tap rooted cover - 1 year ago
I enjoy reading the forum's collective thoughts on best understory plants. Most interesting to me is the question of Comfrey, which seems to elicit equal parts love for its deep taproot / broad foliage, and trepidation for its invasive qualities. In our own understory here, I notice plucky Verbascum (mullein) volunteers popping up unbidden, which I am usually inclined to see as a lesson of soby Josh Willis - Understory Management
Ripening mystery - 1 year ago
I have a strange tree in our (very) aging orchard. Thought I'd post here in case anybody enjoys solving orchard mysteries. As you'll see, it's probably not so much a case of "what's the problem" as "which problem from this long list." 'Symptoms': • By the calendar, its apples should be ripe now (or near). However, (a) the fruit hasn't colored at all (b) fruit has no sby Josh Willis - Tree Fruit Nutrition
Re: Soil sample probe - 1 year ago
Thanks, Mike! You read my mind. As with most things, you get what you pay for. But it's good to have your experience to kick my behind into that rationalization. That said, I'll be holding off on my own purchase for now. Talking to my local co-op supply store, it turns out they lend out a (pretty nice looking) soil probe sampler, b/c well it's a co-op. Their web store had only listed oneby Josh Willis - Sensible Equipment
Soil sample probe - 2 years ago
After a life time of slap dash soil sampling that takes far too much time, I've decided it's ok to finally rationalize buying a real soil sample probe. Any rec's out there for a good product? Ideally something that can get through clay soils. My memory is 8-10" depth is ideal. I know it's not a big budget item, but always looking to learn from others before wasting any $ on a less usby Josh Willis - Sensible Equipment
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