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Though curculio is not a problem out here,
I still try to keep an eye on control methods. The reports of good
control are isolated. Some growers like Surround plus Neem; some use trap
trees; some burn the underlying plants. I think it’s most likely
that a combination of methods would work best. I’m hoping for more
effective pheromone traps, which would not just monitor the presence of the wee
beasts but trap them out or interfere with mating. IPM (integrated pest
management with limited pesticide use) is an understandable choice vs. organic
when dealing with curculio. Our coop carries only organic produce, but I
think we lose business by not having local IPM crops available hen there’s
no organic alternative. Then again, being strict does create a demand for
more all-organic crops. But we’re spoiled. Right now we don’t
have pests that can’t be controlled organically. ~ Stephen From: nafex-bounces@lists.ibiblio.org
[mailto:nafex-bounces@lists.ibiblio.org] On
Behalf Of Lee Reich I sprayed Surround on my apples for about five years, beginning right
after petal fall and then every week or two or whenever it rained about an
inch. I got good coverage using a gasoline powered Stihl backpack sprayer. In
those five years, I harvested almost no apples and would often see curculio
scars on the fruits the day after I sprayed! Lee Reich,
PhD Books by Lee Reich: The Pruning Book Weedless Gardening Uncommon Fruits for Every Garden A Northeast Gardener's Year
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