Watch for spider mites at this stage of growth.

Steve

I saw the webs move in already....been spraying with insecticidal soap daily....no rain in immediate forecast either, been dry up here. I probably should use a dose of systemic on it, since it needs to fill out a good deal more (god willing) before it should be allowed to fruit and bear.

bklyn What do you use for a systemic. I will need one this year.

Steve

Compare-N-Save Systemic Tree and Shrub Insect Drench - 75333, 1 Gallon

I got this stuff June 10th, way too late. it's an off brand but carries the main Mix 1.47-percent Imidacloprid ingredient as a known brand. $29 on Amazon. I can vouch that it is effective, my bush cherry was being eaten alive - lost all the fruit but the big ass cherry mites stopped. My 2 apples had 3 different bugs setting up shop (years problem free), daily heavy sprays of insecticidal soap, orchard spray did nothing. Too hot and sunny early for oil ( I dormant sprayed copper, insecticidal soap and neem during winter mind you.) Truly a Spring from hell for me no predators lots of prey - preying on plants. I pulled any fruit and used it on one apple, big change to maintenance free. Even helped the other one since they are side by side. Roses became largely aphid free. It's a no brainer if you don't intend to eat from the tree for a year or more. I'll be stepping up the dormant oil in the garden after leaf fall. I put all the citrus outside early (that had minor problems like fungus gnats) outside into a worse scenario. Predators of all description finally arrived late......I don't spray in the garden at all.

Does it kill mites though?

II wish there was a systemic for those, I have yet to find one(

I'm only using a half of teaspoon amount of bleach in with my fertilizer

We know about your bleach howard, you told us in 4 other threads.

I have seen more honey bees this summer than I have in years. Five years age I never saw any. I remember in the 80's there were so many honey bees in my area. Now mostly just bumble bees but this year has been encouraging. I have heard that pesticides are the big problem but have also heard conspiracy theories that cell phones have been killing them.

I read this and wondered if it was true? See article below)

I have also heard that certain pesticides can cause a bloom of other pests such as 'mites' and the death of certain beneficial ones that destroy them. Also kill bees, banned in other countries. .. I would not use it if I was aiming to rid mites and if I did, I would use something else to prevent mites too. I have heard experiences of many that use systemics just to be followed by a very bad mite issue.

https://www.newsweek.com/2016/11/11/neonicotinoid-pesticides-alter-plant-genetics-prompt-spider-mite-outbreaks-515965.html

Ken, same here. I remember them all over my yard, I have not seen on all summer, just the bigger bumble bees and hornets, also the yellow jackets. I hope they come back, My brother-in-law has several bees nests and get about 200 lbs of the best honey ever from them. If you ever want a bottle, let me know, I have never tasted anything like it. Rich and yet light and sweet. They use different flowers in their yard.

You are too funny with the bleach thing. You stole my words.

I have had several types of bees of different types and sizes around. I have a bumble bee nest nearby and a cemetery that makes its own honey 4 blocks away. Now I can't say this did the job alone on mites since I simultaneously attacked all ants with liquid bait terros. But it certainly did a number on big black cherry mites and others, likely caused by my annoying neighbors flowering cherries (going after my cherry bush under her canopy, which she never sprayed plus the tree of heaven which attracts everything under the sun in another and a another neighbor with a filthy old diseased peach tree which is finally dead. I noted the lack of wasps, spiders etc., this weird spring which went hot early and back to cold. I would NOT attribute any perceived outbreaks of Mites here in an urban environment, especially one where nobody is spraying.

Pyrethrins and some insecticide called Avid seems to be more effective for mites. Have a look at this post: https://www.gardenweb.com/discussions/3742440/insecticide-pesticide-insights for a good amount of detail on various pesticides available for residential use.

all my trees are starting to grow now

that small amount must not be hurting them but spending up growth

Howard, watching a seedling grow is like watching paint dry. Can't you post a pic in a separate posting.

I put them in the pot of decaying leaves when you said clay would not work . the leaves are a lot more porous

But when someone generously offered to send you a bag of proper potting medium you said you wouldn't use it.....I don't get it???

because I will be moving soon and I won't have room for it

It's coming along nicely even has

Blooms