Now that we have heard from all the 'organics', lets hear the other side of the
story.

There are certain insect pests that cannot be effectively controlled with organic
methods. I know because I have been growing fruit for over 20 years and have
tried all the organic sprays and controls. I still utilize a combination of organic
methods, like trapping insects on sticky balls and dormant oil. I have yet to find
an organic method to effectively control apple maggot, for starters. Like any other
technique, spraying can be done correctly, or not. You should not spray insecticide
(fungicide is ok) when your trees are in blossom. That indeed will kill any bees around.
You should not locate your trees near your vegetable garden. You should
spray on near windless days, so that it stays confined to your orchard area.
You should wear protective gear, including breathing masks, and not spray when kids or
pets are around. This all makes it sound a bit dangerous, but so is getting on the freeway
with all the idiot drivers. If you want the majority of your fruit to be clean,
you probably have to spray in your location, especially since you have already noticed
what sounds like heavy insect damage.

I would recommend a general orchard spray (Bonide makes one, for example). It
contains a combination of insecticides and fungicides. These types of sprays are
meant to cover most orchard problems, but if you have a more serious situation, you
may have to go to a specific spray which targets it. Try the orchard spray first, and
then see how it goes.

You may have had a better reception if you had gone to rec.gardens.edible, where there
seems to be more people growing fruit.

Good Luck,

Sherwin D.

"Walter R." wrote:

Is there an effective general purpose insecticide, fungicide, miticide that
will get most of those rascals out there? It is troublesome to spray for all
those critters separately. I am pretty sure I've got them all.

Anything close?

--
Walter
www.rationality.net
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