Advice needed on fuit tree problems

[barfife]

First, I have a problem with four peach trees that I planted last spring. All are bearing a lot of fruit but the peaches are seeping a clear "glue like" substance. It is affecting 90% of the peaches. Any ideas on problem or treatment?

Secondly, I have one 10yr old apple that has a gray/green fungus on the bark. Do I need to be spraying or dusting these? If so with what and when?

Pics are attached and any advice would be appreciated.

[1Admin]

Yep.... so much for the "Peach state" huh? We have the same problems with our peaches. Several long established trees, about a handful of peaches over the years.

Malathion helps but honestly, I think you have to use SO much of it to get them, that it kinda defeats the purpose.

We won't waste any more ground space on peaches.

We stick mainly with apples and pears designed for low chill hours, those have all done well.

[barfife]

Yep.... so much for the "Peach state" huh? We have the same problems with our peaches. Several long established trees, about a handful of peaches over the years.

Malathion helps but honestly, I think you have to use SO much of it to get them, that it kinda defeats the purpose.

We won't waste any more ground space on peaches.

We stick mainly with apples and pears designed for low chill hours, those have all done well.

Thanks for your feedback. It appears that the culprit is the Oriental Fruit Moth. And it can affect apples and nectorines also. Most sites said that it doesn't usually attack orchards that are sprayed regularly. I grew up around Macon and Warner Robins working summers in a peach packing shed and have always had a weakness for peaches. I'm going to keep trying on the peaches and not give up. Guess I will have to buy peaches and can and dehydrate for the future to take care of my peach fix. Again, thanks for your feedback.
Barfife

[All Talk]

If you planted those last year, what are they, 3-year old trees at most? I have read that it is wise to pluck young fruit off peaches until the trees are five years old, so that the energy goes into growing wood. this supposedly makes a major difference on yields in years 5-10.

[BioG8r]

Yes, the Larvae of the moth is the issue.
Timing of the Malathion is the key, learn your foe and it's life cycle in your area, the Extension office will be a very valuable resource.
You can use other methods of treatment, but Malathion is the least dangerous.

As for the Apple trees make sure you apply dormant oil and a fungicide in spring and at least dormant oil in the fall. IF YOU DON'T DO ANY OTHER PREVENTATIVE do these two sprayings. It will make a great deal of difference and in some cases it will be all you need.

Picking the fruit from the trees is a very good idea allows the trees to build up limb circumference and keeps the young branches from being overburdened, splitting the branch crotches and becoming permanently droopy or damaged!

Good Luck

[barfife]

Thanks for all the advice.
Barfife

[barfife]

Here is a good article on how to make Dormat Oil. http://www.ehow.com/how_8375165_make...uit-trees.html

[1Admin]

We didn't have a lot of luck with dormant oil spraying but it definitely won't hurt anything.