Fruit trees include both colour and produce to a home garden with blossoms in spring and edible fruit in the summer or fall. However, to receive the most fruit and to keep the trees healthy, they require maintenance throughout the year with a proactive collection of sprays. Granulated fertilizers spread in addition to the ground near the tree ought to be enough to get to the roots. Pest and disease sprays should cover the entire tree. Pruning to remove excessive development makes it less difficult to adequately spray fruit trees.
Fertilizer
Determine the demand for nutrients by analyzing new development and the condition of fruit. If the leaves were yellowish in new or summer development was significantly less than 12 inches, nitrogen could be deficient. In case the leaves curl or turn brown, potassium might be deficient. Treat these deficiencies in the late fall before the tree becomes inactive. Calcium deficiencies are noted by delicate spots or cracking on the surface of the fruit and curling leaves. Treat this deficiency the next year before crop.
Gauge the width of the back at least 12 inches above ground level using the tape measure.
Apply 1/8 pounds of nitrogen per inch of trunk diameter for stone fruits like peaches and cherries. Apply 1/10 pounds of nitrogen per inch of trunk diameter for pome fruits like apples and pears. Spread as a granulated fluid on the surface, beginning at least a foot away from the back and extending to at least 1 1/2 times the spread of this tree’s branches.
Distribute 1/5 pounds of potassium per 100 square feet each year. Raise to 3/10 pounds of potassium per 100 square feet if you see a potassium deficiency. Spread as a granulated fluid on the surface, beginning at least a foot away from the back and extending to at least 1 1/2 times the spread of this tree’s branches.
Spray the entire tree with a calcium solution featuring 1 quart of a 12-percent calcium chloride solution diluted in 100 gallons of water. Employ weekly for the last 3 weeks before crop to get cherries, five programs from June through August for apples, and four programs from June through August for pears.
Pest and Disease Control
Cut out all dead wood from the tree with pruners and remove fallen fruit from the ground. These provide insects and diseases a place to thrive where the tree’s natural defenses are not active.
Estimate the spread and height of each tree. Spraying equipment for new trees may connect into the spray handle of a garden hose. Larger trees will require tanks which will hold 10 gallons or more.
Apply 1 to 2 gallons of spray to get a tree less than 10 feet in height which has a spread of 6 to 8 feet. Apply 5 to 10 gallons to get a tree between 10 and 20 feet in height which has a spread of 15 to 25 feet. . Cover all fruit and leaves with the spray. Some pesticides also require spraying the branches and trunk.
Begin spraying at the first indication of green buds and discontinue sprays three weeks before harvest. Timing of each spray is determined by the phase of fruit and bud development. The amount of sprays differs between personal vegetables, but can range from eight to 11 separate sprays for a complete regimen. Local conditions may allow fewer sprays in case certain diseases or insects are not present.