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Old 01-06-2009, 11:38 PM posted to rec.gardens.edible
gunner gunner is offline
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First recorded activity by GardenBanter: Aug 2008
Posts: 221
Default Catapillars on Apple and Pear Trees


wrote in message
...
On Sun, 31 May 2009 07:59:26 -0700, "gunner"
wrote:


"Soria Spain" wrote in message
...

Hi
I live in a small village in Soria, Northern Spain and recently
inherited an old allotment/orchard with some old apple and pear trees
(est 50 years old). I noticed last year that catapillars had been
eating the leaves and they are doing the same this year. I dont want
to spray chemicals on them and dont even know if I want to remove them.
My question is: will they effect the fruits growth? If so what is the
best non chemical way to remove them, if I must.

--
Soria Spain


try using a Bacillus thuringiensis ( Bt) or dusting with Diatomaceous
earth according to directions. Organics and neither will affect your
fruit,
although the Bt is oft used in making some GM crops.


Depending on the strain, Bt is not necessarily organic. Several of the
Bt strains have themselves been genetically modified to work on
specific pests.
Ross.


Yes, but we are talking "Cats" here? do you know of a strain of "cat" BT
that is not organic?