Question:
I have three small apple trees. Each year I get very few apples to eat due to bugs infesting or damaging the fruit. I see a lot of spiders in the tree. I think. I'm wondering if there is a way I can control these pests. The trees are now full of apples, and as they ripen, I'd like to protect them from the problems.Answer:
- Spiders pose no threat to ripening Apples or any other edible crop. The webbing they constantly spin is a nuisance; however, most garden.
- Spiders are beneficial in controlling the insect population in gardens.
- At this time of the year, wormy apples and skin blemishes are the biggest problems. Unfortunately, it may be too late to solve them effectively.
- Wormy apples are controlled during the blooming period by setting out Coddling Moth Traps and applying Beneficial Nematodes under the tree drip line.
- While the spring is the primary period, there can be secondary infestations, so you should keep the traps out all season and monitor them weekly.
- Once you have trapped six or more, spray the tree with Spinosad. Spinosad is a biological product made from a naturally occurring bacterium. It is the primary organic spray for Coddling Moth in Captain Jack Death Bug Brew and Monterey Garden Insect Spray.
- Sevin or Carbaryl is also used, but I don't recommend it.
- The Beneficial Nematodes control the over-wintering pupae while the traps monitor the flying adults.
- Skin blemishes can develop from pecking bird fruits rubbing together or from sunburn on hot days. Sunburn blemishes occur on those fruit facing the southwest and those not protected by leaves.
- Fertilizing in spring provides the necessary nutrients to shade the maturing apples. Also, removing the cluster of fruits on the outer branches help this problem.
- UC Davis IPM website for Coddling Moth has more information. It is found at https://ipm.ucanr.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn7412.html.
- All that being said, the apples with all their flaws are still edible. You just cut out damage for homemade apple sauce.
Question:
I just put in a cement/brick front porch that faces southwest. I want to plant several tall, deciduous trees that cast afternoon shade on the porch and a second-story bedroom window. My first choice is the Festival Sweet Gum/Liquidambar for its leaf shape and fall color. The Sunset Western Garden Guide mentions that the tree puts out surface roots. I plan to dig a hole four to five feet deep and as wide. Will this alleviate the root problem? It would be an expensive mistake if the roots tore up my porch.Answer:
- The Liquidambar roots will likely come to the surface eventually, so I wouldn't risk planting this tree. Instead, I suggest you consider Crape Myrtle or Flowering Pear. Crape Myrtles are flowering now, while the Pears bloom in February/ March.
- They both have marvelous fall colors, but they don't have maple-like leaves.
- The Crape Myrtles and Flowering Pears are now planted in narrow strips and as street trees. Both trees can be kept under twenty-five feet and are perfect for your situation.