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This is a presentation made on pest problems at the UNCE Orchard in North Las Vegas during 2013.
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Fruit Tree Pest Update for 2013Fruit Tree Pest Update for 2013Robert Ll. Morris, Emeritus
University of Nevada Email: [email protected]
Questions: [email protected]: Xtremehorticulture of the Desert
The UNCE OrchardThe UNCE Orchard100 yards east of N. Decatur and Horse Drive, North Las Vegas100 yards east of N. Decatur and Horse Drive, North Las Vegas
1997: Over 600 fruit and nut trees, grapes, berries.2005: Nopales, blackberries, raspberries, strawberries, tomatoes2006: Wine grapes2007: Melons, asparagus2008: Tomatoes, sweet onions, garlic, melons2009: Herbs, hoophouse2010: Hops
Fruit trees include: almond, apple, apricot, cherry, figs, jujube, nectarine, peach, pear, Asian pear, persimmon, pistachio, plum, pomegranate, quince and interspecific hybrids such as pluots, apriums, plumcots.
Success of Fruit Trees in the DesertSuccess of Fruit Trees in the Desert
Success is due to: Desert climate Quality plant material Use of compost Whitewash Wood mulches Sanitation Protection from vermin Timely applications of fertilizers Appropriate irrigations Pest control when needed
Whitewash Reduces Borer DamageWhitewash Reduces Borer Damage Whitewash at time of
planting Most important: south and
west-facing trunk and limbs; upper surfaces of limbs
White or off-white latex paint diluted 50/50 (equal parts) water and paint
Reduces sunburn Reduces borer infestations
due to sunburn Renew every three to four
years
Compost at Planting Enhances GrowthCompost at Planting Enhances Growth
2006 compost on surface2007 compost incorporated
Staking = Faster EstablishmentStaking = Faster Establishment Staking is done to
immobilize the roots, not the top.
Stake low enough to allow the top to move but not the roots.
Stakes should be pounded deeply into solid soil at the bottom of the hole.
Staking should NEVER be needed to support plant canopy if plants are good quality.
Wood Mulch Improves Tree Growth Wood Mulch Improves Tree Growth and Healthand Health
Wood mulch should be a variety of different chipped woods.
Mulch should be wood, not bark alone.
Mulch should be 4 to 6 inches deep.
Mulch should be kept 12 inches from tree trunks the first five years.
Using wood chipped from local trees does not increase insect or disease problems.
Wood Mulch Improves Tree Growth Wood Mulch Improves Tree Growth in the First Seasonin the First Season
Wood surface mulch Wood surface mulch
No surface mulch
Rabbit Prone Areas Need Rabbit Rabbit Prone Areas Need Rabbit FencingFencing
Rabbit prone areas are near golf courses and open desert.
Both desert cottontail and jackrabbit will damage landscapes.
Trees trunks are prone to damage until five years old.
Tree limbs closer than 3 feet to the ground will be damaged by jackrabbits.
1 inch hexagonal chicken wire is adequate if the bottom edge is buried.
Water, Not Your Foot, is the Best Water, Not Your Foot, is the Best Way to Remove Air PocketsWay to Remove Air Pockets
Your foot damages roots if you stomp on the planting hole.
If soil is prepared well, water will remove air pockets and improve establishment speed.
Make sure to plant in a wet hole.
Basins around the plants force water deep into the root zone.
Regular Irrigations During Fruiting Regular Irrigations During Fruiting Improve Fruit QualityImprove Fruit Quality
Fruit growth follows double sigmoid curve.
Water is critical during these two growth phases for good fruit growth and size.
Fruit Growth
Summer Pruning Health and Fruit Production• Increases light inside
the tree canopy• Reduces interior limb
dieback• Distributes fruit
production all through the canopy
• Improves fruit quality• Helps keep the tree
dwarfed• March - April only• Remove only new
growth
Fertilizers Control Growth and Fertilizers Control Growth and Affect HealthAffect Health
Baseline and periodic soil tests should be done
Nitrogen most important for new growth and most limiting
Lawn fertilizer ratios are usually adequate (3-1-2)
Single application is done in late winter
Split application done in late winter and after harvest
Iron is needed for most fruit trees in the rose family
Best is iron in EDDHA chelated form applied in January
Insects and Pests That Can MoveInsects and Pests That Can MoveGeneral Pests Borers Birds Ground Squirrels RabbitsApples and Pears (Pome fruits) Coddling mothPeaches and Apricots Peach twig borerNectarines ThripsPomegranate, Almond and Pistachio Leaffooted plant bug
Sanitation Reduces Pest ProblemsSanitation Reduces Pest Problems
Ripe fruit attracts critters that attack fresh fruit on the tree
Fruit should be picked up as soon as possible when it falls
It should be buried in compost or sealed in containers
Borers Attack Nearly Any TreeBorers Attack Nearly Any Tree Borers damage landscape
and fruit trees Peaches and nectarines
worst borer problems in fruit trees
Borers can be present without noticeable damage
Merit labeled for borer control may not give you good PR
Prevention and sanitation will help reduce borer problems
Borer RemovalBorer Removal Loose bark is
removed with a knife during winter
Branches more than 50% dead are removed
Birds Feed on Ripe FruitBirds Feed on Ripe Fruit Birds normally damage soft
fruit ready to be harvested Harvest fruit as soon as
damage first appears or early when still firm
Ground SquirrelsGround Squirrels Ground squirrels will steal
or feed on almonds, pistachios, grapes, soft fruit, damaged pomegranates, vegetables and many others
Can be a serious problem Baits
Codling Moth Damages Apples and Codling Moth Damages Apples and PearsPears
Sanitation, pick up fallen fruit Pheremone traps Sprays of Bt or Spinosad
Wormy PeachesWormy Peaches
Wormy peaches, nectarines, apricots, almonds
Pheremone traps (different pheremone)
Sprays of Bt or Spinosad
Fruit Scarring on NectarineFruit Scarring on Nectarine
Nectarine fruit skin is horribly scarred and fruit deformed
Repeat weekly sprays of spinosad, soap, Neem as fruit develops
Leaffooted Plant BugLeaffooted Plant BugInsect From HellInsect From Hell
Any fruit but usually noticed on pomegranate
Causes nut drop in pistachio, blanks in almond, early fruit drop or deformed fruit in pomegranate
Usually seen in June when numbers have multiplied
Winged and can fly but not well Overwinter in the landscape Dormant oils, Sevin and
synthetic pyrethroids
DiseasesDiseasesNo disease agent (Abiotic)SunburnIron chlorosisBitter pit, corky spot
Disease agent (fungus or bacterium)Fireblight (bacterium)Shothole (Coryneum blight, fungus)
Sunburn – Fruit Likes Partial ShadeSunburn – Fruit Likes Partial Shade
Sunburn – apples, persimmons, others
Brown Spots in Apple Pear FleshBrown Spots in Apple Pear Flesh
Apple it is called “Bitter Pit” Pear it is called “Corky Spot” Calcium deficiency in developing
fruit Looks bad but is safe to eat 5 sprays of calcium chloride
(food grade) to the fruit a week apart as it is in early development
Use wetting agent and spray fruit to runoff
FireblightFireblight
Fireblight – apples, pears, Asian pears
Shothole or Coryneum BlightShothole or Coryneum Blight
Shothole fungus – peaches, nectarines
ResourcesResources
Xtremehorticulture of the Deserthttp://xtremehorticulture.blogspot.com/
Send questions and pictures to [email protected] NEW!! Desert Horticulture yahoo discussion group
Dave Wilson Nurseryhttp://www.davewilson.com/
Fruit PestsUniversity of California IPM Onlinehttp://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/