by Mary
& Bill Monroe
Colorado State University Cooperative Extension
Master Gardener
Larimer County
Q: When can I spray my apple tree to avoid a
crop of wormy fruit?
A: Spraying with a summer-weight horticultural oil, or with malathion, permethrin
or spinosad, should have been started shortly after petal fall. However, starting
now and spraying every 7 to 14 days for the next couple of months will catch
the most damaging generation of the codling moth—the worm in wormy apples.
For more information on fruit trees, see Fact Sheet #2.800,
“Backyard Orchard: Apples and Pears.”
Q: My crabapple tree has fuzzy white spots on its bark. What causes
this?
A: This could be an infestation of the woolly apple aphid. It is an insect best
controlled earlier in the season with a dormant oil spray. However, at this
time, the best treatment is to spray with insecticidal soap or carbaryl. Be
sure to read labels carefully before applying any pesticide.
Q: How can I keep my perennials blooming longer?
A: Many perennials will continue to bloom longer if you remove dead blooms.
This also helps annual plants become more bushy and full of blooms.
Gardening and Insect Fact Sheets are available on-line by clicking HERE.
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