Fire Blight control in a rainy spring

11 years ago

I am looking for suggestions for fire blight control during our unusually wet spring we've been having (it rained and was cloudy for 30 days straight in May, a few days of sun and now we are back to rain/clouds again).

Typically we are quite sunny and dry, and fire blight isn't a problem. I do a couple of lime-sulfur sprays and use Surround as a preventative, and it works most years. I got the first l-s spray on but that was it before the rains started. I've had short windows where I could get some Surround and copper sprays on, but it rained within 6 hours of both sprays.

So far, I've only noticed a couple of twigs and spurs which appear to have browned from FB. But as the temps warm and the rain continues I'm sure it will get worse.

Any suggestions. Are there any sprays which might stick around longer? Any stickers which would improve the spray staying on in rain? Anyone know how long Surround needs to start colonizing on the tree and being of use?

TIA

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Comments (4)

sharppa
11 years ago
I wouldn't think Surround which is just inert kaolin clay would offer any protection against Fire Blight. Have you tried using Fertilome Fire Blight Spray? I have some but didn't try it this year after a bad year last year in 6a in PA. The Penn State extension office has a 'fruit times' mailing list which sends out warnings when to spray. They didn't think fire blight would be bad this year after a really bad last year and so far have been right. I have a few spots of it vs. 50 branches or so last year. (lost half a tree)
steve333_gw
Original Author
11 years ago
Opps, you're right sharppa. I did not mean Surround, I should have typed Serenade, which is a probiotic that is supposed to help with FB.

And yes, I have used Fertilome's FB spray (I believe that is an anti-biotic) during bloom. Just not sure how long that would stay on during rains either. I was hoping that the critters in Serenade would be growing and therefore stick better through a rain; just don't know how long they take to do that (if they do).
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rayrose SC 8
11 years ago
You need to check your trees every day and prune out every spike you see, before FB really takes hold. That's the best thing you can do. Diligence is
the key.
copingwithclay
11 years ago
Step one: Plant the most FB-resistant pear varieties that produce very good fruit in your area. Rather than planting flawed trees....like buying an auto with unfixable transmission problems. Since that boat was missed, learn how to graft on your pear trees to convert them over to the best that can be acquired. Converting them via grafting may take a couple or three years to reboot the trees, but after that you are good to go for many years. Having done just that several times in the last several years, and looking where the trees are now, well, that was a GREAT project to pursue. One of those trees got topworked with scions from Tennosui, Southern King, Southern Queen, and Acres Home. This is the first year that branches from all 4 varieties are bearing fruit. The squirrels and I are already duking it out over eating rights for those pears. So far, FB has been a non-issue. Which is the main point....