Apple tree scab and insects

5 years ago

I live in Southeastern PA (Montgomery County) and have 6 apple trees I’m trying to grow but have experienced significant disease issues. Specifically, cedar rust as there are adjacent cedar trees. I’ve tried Bonide’s Citrus Fruit & Nut Orchard spray but to little avail. I’m willing to come to the dark side of “chemicals” and have discussed a spraying strategy with a local nursery. Here is what they recommended…

Fungicide - Start end of February and spray Eagle mixed with Reliant every two weeks. Replace Eagle with Pristine every other or every second spray. Don’t want to repeat same fungicide every week. Stop spraying two weeks before harvest. Can start spraying again after harvest to keep trees healthy.
Insecticide – Start two weeks after flower and end two weeks before harvest. Spray with Sevin every two weeks. Can mix with Fungicide after flowering.

Just curious if the above resonates with guys or if you have other recommendations. My goal is to hit early this growing season to eliminate from the start.

Thanks, Matt

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Comments (3)

Embothrium
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
Check this out (page that opens is directed specifically at Montgomery County):

Home Gardening | University of Maryland Extension (umd.edu)
martinell62
Original Author
5 years ago
Thanks, that’s Montgomery Count, MD and seems to be general site not specific to apple care. But thanks for sending.
gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
5 years ago
The more you can familiarize yourself with these diseases, the better you will know how to treat, with what and when. And this is not location dependent information - it will be the same anywhere.

There are scores of fact sheets available online that discuss these and other common plant diseases and their treatment in detail. I've linked a couple for you to get started but feel free to take your research as far as you like to determine what will work best for you. Often cultural controls, like garden sanitation, good pruning practices, etc., can have almost as much of an impact in curtailing the disease as deferring to chemicals.

And of course, prevention is the best control :-) There are apple varieties available that are resistant to both diseases. Insects you don't treat for unless you confirm they are present. Unless a systemic, few pesticides are preventative. The insects must be present and active for most to be effective so no need to spray on any kind of schedule. And you might want to investigate Sevin and its active ingredient to assure yourself that it's something you don't mind having sprayed around your garden and your edibles on a routine basis.

Apple Scab

Apple Rust