Michael, now I understand fully your original question. I too have a bunch of different variates all in different stages of budding. It can be a nightmare to keep the spray schedule straight. Here is what I do. First a keep a Word file labeled spray schedule for 2012. I make an entry by spray date that list which tree is sprayed with what and a plan on how much per tree. Keeping up with it by tree is the only way I can keep it straight. I keep notes on what sprays can do more harm than good like. � Do not use Lime-Sulfur spray within 21 days of oil sprays or oil sprays 21 days following Lime-sulfur sprays. � DO NOT USE CAPTAN WITHIN 7 DAYS OF AN OIL SPRAY. � If drought stress exist consider not using Lime Sulfur sprays. � Bordeaux mixture and cooper is generally unsafe to use on fruit crops after the 1/4 inch green leaf or more showing There are more and these are open as you might guess to different time spacing. After you square away the more harm than good sprays then if you squeeze in a spray too soon I figure that is better that too late. Here is a link that might be useful: Georgia Home Orchard

I sprayed my fruit trees when they were dormant with horticulture oil. I also sprayed them with bonide copper prior to bud break. I have an apple tree that has a history of getting Cedar Apple Rust. In fact for the last two years it gets it around this time. This is the first year that I have tried to fungicide prior to bud break though. So far so good and we have had a much less damp spring to date. Of course that could change. My question is after a fruit tree is leafed out can or should another fungicide be applied prior to alot rain or moisture. I have heard one guy say that copper should not be applied after the leaves are formed. thanks,brandon

I actually make my living managing home and estate orchards so maybe my opinion will carry some weight here. No, I don't completely agree with your approach. Using herbicides to speed establishment and increase productivity is acceptable to me, although it is not something I do in managing home and estate orchards as a general rule. Mulching accomplishes the same thing and more- although the extra work is a negative from an efficiency stand point. Your expressed reason of eliminating pests by eliminating all other plants in the vicinity of your trees is what I disagree with, because all major pests will have no trouble finding your trees from longer distances. I don't understand the fall application of herbicide- I should think mid-summer would be the time to end such applications or maybe late summer for latest ripening fruit. Mid winter oil would be a waste of time for me as the only reason I have to apply it is to help control mites, scale and pear psyla and they are much more vulnerable when trees first start growing in early spring. Immunox is only useful in spring. It is not affective for summer fungus on apples or brown rot on stone fruit- use Monterey Fungus Fighter for brown rot and maybe Captan for fly speck and sooty blotch if those are your summer apple fungus pests. I don't know what the Bayer product is but I'd stick with Triazide if I was you. Your program seems arbitrary and not based on a complete understanding of the pests you are trying to control or the efficacy of the material you are using to control them. You need to monitor your pests and figure out what they are specific to your site. Perhaps you can get some help from your cooperative extension or a nearby experienced grower on this. I can't speak for your pests and I know you need much later insect control where you are than where I am in southeastern NY, but I doubt you need to spray until a couple of weeks before harvest. I usually don't need any insect control during summer as worst pests have finished their cycle by then.

Please, help if you can. My pears and apples are just starting to open-break their buds and have some honey looking drops on them. Is this normal , what is it? It worries me, could it be some disease? I sprayed my trees with mixture of Dormant Oil and Lime Sulfur. Thank you all.