Frank wrote:
wrote:
hi we live in norhtern california about 1 hour south of san francisco
(zone 9b i think).
we would like to plant asian pears, apricots, parismons and avacado
trees, all dwarf types.
is it possible to care for asian pears, apricots, and grapes without
using chemicals?
I live in an entirely different part of the country, but my experience
has been that even with chemicals, it is hard to raise things like
apples on individual trees.
Well, that is not my experience here in the Midwest. If you spray on a
regular schedule (and I don't mean overspraying), you can control pests
and fungicides in a backyard orchard.
Orchards will blast several acres with
pesticides but if you are only spraying an individual tree, pests are
lurking in surrounding vegetation.
Yes, but the ones that are interested in your fruit are lurking around your
trees.
If you spray with a sticker material, that spray will eventually knock out
or greatly
reduce any potential attacks.
OTOH, I had no problem with peaches
and chestnuts even without spraying. I would listen to local nurseries
advice.
Peaches are less prone to insect attack, but not immune. The tree is also
subject to fungus attacks.
Years ago, I used to bicycle past an apple orchard and watched them
spraying. If you lived within a mile of them, you would not have to
spray, if you get my drift. I think a lot of organic produce is
protected by being within a pest free zone created by farmers using
pesticides.
Frank