If you like gardening and have space at home, fruit trees are a good option. You not only enjoy a tree and the shade it provides or the flowering, but also having fruits practically from the tree to your mouth. One of the most common is the apple tree. But it needs a series of care, such as knowing when and how to spray an apple tree.
Do you have any idea how to do it? And the reasons why you should do it? Below we are going to help you understand why to fumigate an apple tree, how to fumigate correctly and other important aspects of this topic.
Why spray an apple tree?
The reason why some plants and fruit trees sulfate is due to pests. You may not know it, but in the case of apple trees, they are greatly affected by various pests such as aphids or the apple caterpillar. These weaken the tree and cause it to suffer or even die.
Therefore, Fumigating is a way to protect it and at the same time treat pests that may affect it.. In addition, it is given an extra to fight against pests, making it have greater resistance. And before you ask, no, fumigation, if done with the right products, does not have to negatively affect the fruits, that is, the apples, and they will continue to be healthy and healthy. The only thing, of course, is that you will have to wash them before consuming them (like any other fruit you have in the garden).
When should an apple tree be fumigated
One of the questions you can ask yourself when fumigating an apple tree is to know exactly when you should do it. And the truth is that, with this fruit tree, there are several periods.
First fumigation
La The first spraying of the apple tree always takes place at the end of winter. It is important to pay attention to this moment because you will have to do it before it sprouts. If it has already done so, we do not recommend that you sulfate it because it can make the tree suffer or be more predisposed to the appearance of pests.
Therefore, you will have to check almost daily when you see that the weather changes. In fact, it is possible that it begins to sprout in those days or weeks when the temperature begins to be more pleasant (even if the cold returns later).
This is considered preventive fumigation. Hence, if it is not done, it would not be bad either, it would just be necessary to more thoroughly control the symptoms that could coincide with the appearance of pests.
At the same time, one of the reasons it is sprayed before it sprouts is to treat the tree for pests that may have overwintered next to the tree. When it sprouts, pests become active and you may be affected. But if treatment is applied, they are much less likely to succeed.
Second fumigation
The second spraying takes place in spring. In fact, After this second there will also be a third and fourth throughout the spring and summer months.
These correspond to pest control. In other words, it is a way to prevent and control pests that may affect the tree.
And how often are they done? Depends. Depending on the product you use to sulfate the apple tree, you may have one period or another. That is, some protect for a couple of weeks, others a month or even two months. So, based on this you will have to apply a fumigation calendar to know when to do it.
When is it best to fumigate?
Now that you know when to spray an apple tree, have you ever wondered what the best time of day to do it is? Is it better first thing in the morning, even when the sun is shining on the product? Or better at night?
Well, the answer is not so simple. The experts themselves recommend that it be first thing in the morning (and we spoke between 6 and 8 in the morning), good late afternoon, when the sun has already gone.
Now, it should be a day when there is no wind and the temperature does not rise too much. This is easy to apply in spring, but not so in summer. So, if you have to choose, we would recommend applying the product at the end of the afternoon or even at night.
This way, you will spend more hours with cool temperatures and prevent the sun from negatively affecting the treatment.
Another point to keep in mind is that you should never spray when it is raining. The rain itself will wash away the product and in the end it will be of no use (you will have wasted time and money).
Pests that you can combat by fumigating
Fumigating the apple tree is a practice to prevent and treat pests that may affect this fruit tree. But, what are those pests? The truth is that there are many, but the most common are:
- Anthracnose.
- Red spider.
- Skin caterpillar (capua).
- Chancre.
- Bedbugs.
- Soot disease.
- Apple tree caterpillar.
- Spotting disease.
Ecological fumigators
If you are one of those who does not want to use chemical products to treat and prevent diseases and pests in plants, know that you have other options, even cheaper and that are available in your kitchen.
One of the most powerful ecological fumigators is vinegar. Acetic acid is very effective against pests that apple trees have, while also acting as a repellent. That is, just as it helps you treat the pest that affects the apple tree, it will also prevent it from being attacked.
Another ecological fumigator is copper itself. There are fungicides rich in copper, but you can also use copper by placing it near the tree to act on it.
Finally, You could also opt for potassium soap. It becomes a great natural insecticide, but it is also a pesticide and acaricide. Its application is quite easy because you can find it in many presentations. You can use it as a spray, apply it in irrigation water, etc.
Is it clear to you now when and how to spray an apple tree?