On Fri, 10 Jun 2005 11:07:29 GMT, "Doug Kanter"
wrote:

"sherwindu" wrote in message
...
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.

This is all reasonable advice, but realize this:

You're giving it to someone who is completely in the dark, and not just with
regard to gardening. So, it's important to point out garden chemicals have
not been and can never be correctly tested for safety. I'm sure you're aware
of that.


Nonsense. If the material is used in strict compliance to the
instructions on the label (and it should not be used in any other way)
safety is assured. Those instructions include dosages, personal
protective equipment requirements and minimum re-entry intervals.

I will add another pest that cannot be controlled by organic methods
nor by unrestricted pesticides such as the Bonide Fruit Tree Spray.
That is the plum curculio which attacks not only plums, but also
apples, pears, peaches and nectarines.

Unrestricted pesticides used to contain a control for plum curculio
but that was removed from the formulae two years ago. The unlicensed
homeowner has no effective remedy for plum curculio, at least in my
state of New Hampshire.

That is one of the reasons I got an applicator's permit this year.
Imidan is an effective control for plum curculio but it is a
restricted product.

JMHO

John