too late to wilt-pruf?

18 years ago

I knew I forgot to do something.......

I have a few little new chamaes, one of which is in a particularly wind-blasty area. Is it too late to wilt-pruf? I see that slightly warmer temps and showers are predicted sometime next week. Should I wait til then for the plants to be fully hydrated?

Thanks,

C

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claireplymouth z6b coastal MA

18 years ago

I was hoping for someone else to post, since this seems be a murky area. But I'd really like to know the answer, so I'll start out.

I did some googling and found this information:

Wilt-Pruf says

Spray Wilt-PrufÂ® anytime as long as the spray does not freeze on the foliage while spraying. Allow two or three hours for drying time in daylight (not necessarily sunlight).

Â Wilt-PrufÂ® must be allowed to dry outdoors in daylight (not necessarily sunlight) since it is a film forming polymer and needs ultraviolet rays in order for the spray to set up or polymerize.

Wilt-Pruf Plant Protection

So it's not too late so long as the stuff can dry in daylight before it freezes.

However, almost everyone seems to agree that the antitranspirants are great for broad-leaved evergreens, but the conifer people (needled evergreens) are vehemently divided.

Re arborvitae: It seems that timing is critical: According to Wilt-Pruf who responded to a question in this thread:

You may use Wilt-Pruf on arborviaes, but it is important to
wait until the plants have completely hardened off, whereby
the moisture in the foliage retreats to the root system for
the winter. We suggest after the first part of December to
be sure. You may spray Wilt-Pruf anytime as long as the
spray does not freeze on the foliage while applying and for
a couple of hours of drying time afterwards. If there is
moisture in the foliage and a deep freeze should occur, that
moisture in the plant cells can freeze and burst the cells
causing damage to the plants. If Wilt-Pruf has been applied
too early befdore hardening off, we get the blame for an act
of nature. Hope this information helps.
Brad Nichols

Thread in Professional Gardener's Forum

and then there are the conifer people who say it's worthless:

Thread in Conifer forum

So what I've found is:

1. It's not too late to use it, but

2. Maybe you shouldn't spray chamaeacyparis.

I hope someone has some specific experience to add.

Claire (who's pretty much exhausted Google here(

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Comments (6)

rockman50
18 years ago
It is never too late, but the weather conditions need to be right. The day needs to be above freezing (I prefer well above) so that the wilt-pruf can dry on the leaves, and not freeze. Obviously, any rain shortly after application before it dries would simply wash away the coating. So, wait for a milder, dry afternoon. A little breeze is also good because it speeds up the drying process. Actually, I think tomorrow (Saturday) is supposed to be a decent wilt-pruf day..partly sunny, a breeze, temps in 40's.

For best protection, some say you should apply again later in winter (maybe early February) when the weather is right.
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claireplymouth z6b coastal MA
18 years ago
Ah, rockman50 posted while I was writing. Any opinions on needled evergreens?

Claire
rockman50
18 years ago
Good info Claire. I have never used the stuff on needled evergreens. I only use it for my less hardy broadleaf evergreens--nellie stevens holly, cherry laurels, and my southern magnolia. On those plants, it has always worked well for me. And I never apply before Thanksgiving.
ego45
18 years ago
I don't apply WP before January (in December ground is not frozen in my neck of the woods while moisture transpiration is still minimal).
Since WP is an anti-dissectant it will provide protection from transpiration via leaves surface when roots will be frozen and will be not able to supply juces to the leaves.
In my neck of the woods that would be January-March.
Therefore I normally apply WP at any nice sunny day in January. If applied early it would require another application since it lasts only 60-70 days.
IMO, using WP on needled evergreens is just a waste of time and money.
Natalie Hull
5 years ago
First snow of the year, beginning of December. Thankfully it’s not going to stick, I’m just praying the jasmine survive until I can spray th