To: "North American Fruit Explorers" <nafex@lists.ibiblio.org>
Subject: Re: [NAFEX] Surround experience this spring
Date: Thu, 29 May 2008 13:07:50 -0500
Scott,
I am surprised that you say the main curculio season is over for you, I
had to look see where you are. Probably a little behind us in the season.
As I understand it, the infested fruit that is falling here now will produce
a new crop of adults to go hit the late peaches.
Due to last years horrific freeze, curculio pressure is very low this
year, and due to an unusually mild spring, far more blossoms than usual set
this year. So curculio pressure is very low, and I have been content to
monitor and pick up the fallen fruit. I have sprayed twice, once with
Surround and Neem, once with just Neem. Can't tell if it's made any
difference, the one time I tried spreading sheets and tapping trees I didn't
find a single curculio. Most years when I do that I can collect dozens,
even hundreds.
I haven't sprayed the late peaches at all. Nor do I find any curculio
marks on them. I think they much prefer the plums and have decided to
concentrate on them first, but they are getting close enough to ripe that in
another few weeks the curcs will have to move on. Any advice? Should I
start in spraying at once? Or are we about done for the year, as Scott
says? Donna