Autumn treatment of apple trees from pests and diseases: what to spray with, timing

Diseases and harmful insects can attack any fruit tree. Apple trees, like other garden crops, are no exception. Without serious measures, pests will destroy the harvest in a matter of days. Apple tree pest control and diseasesThis is essential in the fall. It will help trees stay healthy and produce strong, full-bodied fruit in the coming summer.

Is autumn treatment of apple trees necessary?

Harvesting the fall harvest doesn't mean the gardening work is over until next spring. Some inexperienced gardeners believe there's no need to treat apple trees before the cold weather sets in. This is a big mistake. After the fruit is harvested, the trees need to be cared for. The reasons for this are as follows:

• During the winter, harmful insects and their larvae hide in the bark and soil. They are destroyed to prevent them from harming the apple trees;
• Trees need protection from mice, hares and other animals that gnaw at the bark and branches.

Autumn measures to protect garden crops include clearing trunks and main shoots of old bark and moss. All damage must be repaired. Apple trees are protected from the cold to ensure their comfort during the winter. Gardeners also take care to prevent sunburn.

Preparatory activities

Before treating apple trees in the fall, gardeners need to take several steps. First, they inspect all the trees and identify any diseased areas. Any remaining old bark must be removed. When removing the bark, check how tightly it adheres to the branches. If it is loose, carefully scrape it off. The cleared areas are carefully inspected to detect any harmful insects or their larvae. Old bark can be used to start a fire or stove.

They do it for sanitary purposes autumn pruningDiseased and dead shoots are removed, and the wounds left by the cuts are treated with garden pitch. After pruning, the tree trunks are tidied up, removing fallen leaves, debris, and rotted fruit.

Before diluting the solution, check that the sprayer's nozzle is working properly. The solution should have a uniform consistency. Avoid increasing its concentration to avoid harming yourself and the trees.

Products for autumn treatment of apple trees

Apple trees are treated for pests and diseases in the fall using various products. These include biological and chemical ones. Some products can be combined with each other. Some products are used alone to prevent dangerous chemical reactions with other substances.

Ferrous sulfate

When sulfuric acid and ferrous iron react, a salt called ferrous sulfate is formed. In its solid state, it appears as crystals. The crystals can be greenish-blue or have a yellow tint. In horticulture, this substance is known as an effective contact fungicide. Contact fungicides do not penetrate deep into the tree structure. They can be easily washed off with water, so gardeners choose a dry, warm day for treatment.

Treating apple trees with ferrous sulfate protects them from all types of fungi. The product effectively removes lichens from trees. When using this substance, keep the following in mind:

• ferrous sulfate — not a fertilizer;
• it should not be confused with Bordeaux mixture;
• does not affect crop yields;
• does not rejuvenate trees.

The substance does not kill bacteria, so it should not be applied to growing garden crops. Apple trees can be treated with ferrous sulfate only after all the leaves have fallen. Do not apply the product to emerging buds or green foliage, to avoid damaging or burning them.

The solution concentration for lichen control ranges from 4 to 6%, while for treating tree trunks, it ranges from 3 to 4%. For fungal infections, apple trees are treated with a 3-4% solution.

The weather forecast before treatment is crucial. The product will begin to work within six hours of application if there is no precipitation. Do not spray apple trees in the fall using copper sulfate and malathion.

Copper sulfate

If sulfuric acid reacts chemically with copper or copper oxide, the result is copper sulfateIt's easily recognizable by the bright blue color of the solution. It's a topical contact fungicide that can also be easily rinsed off with water.

• insecticide;
• rejuvenating agent;
• growth stimulator;
• a substance that increases crop yield.

The air temperature during treatment should be +6°C. If it's lower, the substance will lose its effectiveness. Like other topical fungicides, copper sulfate is used after the autumn leaves fall. It's important to spray not only the entire apple tree but also the area around the trunk to kill fungal spores. The working solution concentration is 1 to 3%. It should be prepared in a glass or plastic container, dissolved in lukewarm water. Metal containers should not be used, as the active iron will react with the copper, ruining the solution.

Urea

Urea, or carbamide, appears as white or colorless crystals that dissolve readily in water. Rich in nitrogen, it is prized by gardeners. A highly concentrated solution is used to treat fungal diseases and pest infestations. When treated with urea It increases apple trees' resistance to winter cold. It is also used to slow down vegetation to prevent frost from damaging buds.

If there are a lot of fallen leaves in the area, you can leave them there and treat them with urea. In this case, the solution concentration should be 10%. Spray the foliage and turn it over with a pitchfork or rake to kill insects and fungal spores. Come spring, the leaves will rot, and the trees will receive a good nitrogen-rich fertilizer.

Urea effectively kills harmful insects (aphids, weevils, and apple borers). It combats spotting and monilial blight on trees. Apple trees that have lost 70% of their leaves are treated with a working solution at a concentration of 5 to 7%. After the leaves have completely fallen, a 10% solution can be used. For young trees, the concentration is reduced to 5%. The air temperature during application should not fall below 5°C. Choose a calm and overcast day.

Fitosporin

Apple trees can be treated for diseases in the fall with Fitosporin. This is a bacterial fungicide based on Bacillus subtilis (Hay bacillus subtilis). It destroys other bacteria and pathogenic fungi. Unlike contact fungicides, this product is systemic. It penetrates the tree's tissue and cells, quickly eliminating the signs of infection. Fitosporin does not require repeated applications. It acts immediately within the apple trees, so rain will not wash it away.

This product is effective against all types of powdery mildew, rust, and spotting. It destroys bacterial canker and root rot. Bacillus subtilis is dormant until it enters water. In an aquatic environment, it rapidly multiplies and is effective. Fitosporin is used as an anti-stress agent. It accelerates tree growth and strengthens their immune system. The substance promotes rapid compost maturation, making it beneficial and nutritious. When used in combination with another contact fungicide, Fitosporin's effectiveness can be increased severalfold.

Karbofos

Apple trees can be treated against pests in the fall with malathion. This substance is still a subject of debate among gardeners. It is an ingredient in many insecticides, such as Antikleshch, Fufanon, Aliot, Profilaktin, and others.

Malathion is toxic and has a pungent, strong odor. Strong fragrances are added to insecticides containing Malathion. Due to its toxicity, this substance is effective against all types of pests, even scale insects. When preparing the solution, follow the instructions to avoid harming yourself and the trees. Choose a dry, windless day for the application. The air temperature should not exceed 15°C.

Malathion is not mixed with other insecticides. It can be used no more than twice a year. Its effect lasts 10 to 14 days. After treatment, the fruit should not be eaten for a month.

Bordeaux mixture

Bordeaux mixture is used to spray apple trees in the fall. It is obtained by combining two substances: quicklime and copper sulfate. The liquid is a soft blue color. Bordeaux mixture is used to treat apple scab and other fungal infections.

To prepare the mixture, dissolve 450 g of quicklime in 5 liters of water. Pour some hot water into another container. Add 300 g of copper sulfate. Pour the copper sulfate into the container with the lime, gradually, stirring gently. The resulting liquid should be sky-blue. Test it by placing a nail, previously cleaned of grease and rust, into the container. If the mixture is not ready, the nail will turn reddish. Bring the mixture to a state of readiness by adding lime milk.

Before preparing the solution, you need to understand several important points:

• Copper sulfate should not be poured with boiling water. The water should be moderately hot;
• do not use metal utensils, otherwise the composition will deteriorate;
• Highly concentrated lime and copper sulfate are not mixed. They are first diluted with water;
• You cannot work with these substances without protective equipment;
• Copper sulfate is poured strictly into lime, and not vice versa.

Colloidal sulfur

You can treat apple trees in the fall with colloidal sulfur. This is a finely ground powder. Sometimes, sulfur is produced in granules. It is used for all fungal infections, as well as against spider mites. Treatment is carried out in the first months of autumn, during warm, dry weather. In the absence of precipitation, the substance is effective for 12 days. To prepare the solution, dissolve 80-100 g of sulfur in a large bucket of water. Do not mix it with other ingredients.

Salt

Salt is often used to spray apple trees in the fall. It is effective against all types of lichen. Treatment is carried out after the leaves have fallen. To do this, dissolve 1 kg of table salt in a large bucket of water (10 liters) and spray the apple tree.

Sithrel

If leaves aren't falling from trees for a long time, you can use Sitrel. Sitrel releases ethylene, causing the leaves to fall quickly. Gardeners have different opinions about this substance. Some use it regularly, while others believe that leaves should fall naturally.

Treating apple trees with garden pitch

This is a putty used to treat cuts left over from fall pruning. There are many recipes for garden var. It serves the following purposes:

• Prevent moisture from getting into the cut area. If the cut is damp, it may rot;
• prevents infection of the wound with dangerous fungal spores;
• stimulates healing of cuts and formation of new shoots.

To treat apple trees in the fall, melt lard and rosin at a low temperature in a ratio of 1:16 and cook, stirring, until a smooth consistency is achieved. Once the mixture is smooth, remove it from the heat and pour 8 parts wood alcohol into the saucepan. Stir the mixture thoroughly and store in an airtight container. Reheat before use.

To treat large cuts, take equal parts of nigrol, paraffin, and rosin. Place them in separate containers and heat. Add wood ash powder to the heated nigrol, then stir, adding melted paraffin and rosin. Once the mixture is smooth, it's ready for use. While the wax is still wet, you can add heteroauxin. To do this, crush one tablet of the substance per 1 kg of wax. This will speed up wound healing.

Copper sulfate disinfects wounds. Wait 3 hours after disinfection. Apply warm varnish to the cleaned cut areas. It should not harden, so it's best to place it in an internal pocket. After treatment, inspect the wounds regularly. Repeat the procedure if necessary.

Lime

Lime is produced by processing carbonate compounds. Its base is limestone and chalk. It also contains calcium and dolomite, which are especially prized by gardeners. Whitewashing apple tree trunks with lime can protect the trees from harmful insects. To whitewash the trunks, add quicklime to the mixture with water, stir, and let it sit for two hours. The water should not be hot, otherwise the beneficial substances will quickly evaporate. Before whitewashing, the trunk is cleaned of old bark and larvae. Lime provides:

• protection of the barrel from temperature changes;
• disinfection;
• destruction of pests that hide under the bark;
• Protecting the tree from sunburn, a dangerous winter hazard. Snow has the ability to enhance the effects of light.

You can make a simple mixture of lime and water, but there's a good recipe that includes several useful ingredients. You'll need:

• 10 liters of water;
• 1 kg of slaked lime;
• 0.2 kg copper sulfate;
• 1 kg of dry cow dung;
• 0.3 kg of clay.

All ingredients are thoroughly mixed and left for 3 hours, after which the mixture is ready for use.

Complex preparations

Complex formulations penetrate deep into tree trunks, delivering valuable nutrients to the cells. Systemic insecticides begin to work after a few days, but their effects last for a long time: two weeks or more. A few days without rain is the best time to apply.

Systemic treatments won't wash away in rain. They won't evaporate or lose effectiveness when exposed to light. They work on the root system and young shoots. Some diseases can't be treated with contact treatments. In these cases, systemic treatments, which are used less frequently, are needed.

When purchasing systemic pesticides, it's important to know which pests they target. Some products kill insects at specific stages of their development. An insecticide designed for adult insects won't kill their larvae.

Safety precautions

When working with any drugs, you must take precautions:

• use protective glasses;
• wear clothes with long sleeves;
• keep your hair under a scarf or cap;
• do not allow solutions to come into contact with skin and mucous membranes;
• work with rubber gloves;
• wear a respirator (a gauze bandage is ineffective).

After work, you need to take a shower and send your clothes to the wash.

Pest control

When treating apple trees for pests in the fall, ovicides are used. As winter approaches, insect larvae and eggs begin to nest under the tree bark. In severe cases, malathion-based products are used. When treating, carefully inspect cracks, forks, buds, and old bark.

Codling moth

The codling moth looks like a small, gray-brown butterfly. The pest's eggs fall on foliage. When the larvae hatch, they feed on the apples. If an apple is wormy, it has been infested by a small codling moth. The tree's trunk is treated with urea at a 7% concentration. Before treatment, remove fallen fruit and leaves. Typically, two sprayings are carried out: the first after the apple tree has finished blooming, and the second 14 days later.

Aphid

Aphids' winter habitat is the basal branches of the tree. These should be cut off and burned along with the larvae. Aphids reproduce at an incredible rate. Aphids become adults within 14 days of hatching and begin laying eggs. If there is an anthill near the apple trees, it should be destroyed to prevent the ants from spreading the pest's eggs. A good aphid control agent is a sulfur candle. It kills aphids but does not harm ladybugs.

Mite

A sign of spider mite infestation is cocoons of sticky webbing containing caterpillars. The mites construct cocoons on leaves. These foliage is plucked and burned at a safe distance from apple trees. Systemic insecticides can be used to control spider mites, but the best preventative measure is promptly collecting debris and burning dry branches.

Bark beetle and silkworm

The bark beetle is a small, black, shiny bug. It feeds on tree bark and prefers to live on old apple trees. Before applying insecticides, gardeners poke wire into the insects' tunnels. After this, they inject a suitable insecticide into each tunnel.

Silkworms hibernate in bark crevices and cracks in tree trunks. They are killed manually by burning.

Protection from animals

To protect against animals, use a metal mesh, called chain-link fencing. Carefully wrap the apple tree trunks with the mesh and dig it into the soil. Spruce branches can also be wrapped around the trunk. You can also use roofing felt or another durable material that rabbits and mice cannot chew through.

To repel small animals, tin cans tied together are hung from trees. In windy weather, the cans will rattle, which animals are afraid of.

Symptoms of diseases and medications for treatment

There are several dangerous diseases that fruit trees are susceptible to. It's important to know their symptoms to distinguish them from other diseases and take timely measures. Apple trees can become infected with scab, fruit rot, powdery mildew, and spotting. cytosporosis and black cancer.

Scab and moniliosis

If a brown coating appears on the leaves, this is scabIf left untreated, the fungus will spread to the fruit. In advanced cases, several treatments are required to completely eradicate the infection. Scab is treated with Oxychom, Bordeaux mixture, colloidal sulfur, and iron sulfate.

Moniliosis is a rotten infection that affects fruit. It's an insidious disease. Its early stages are unnoticed. The disease progresses rapidly, causing multiple brown spots to appear on apples.

All affected apples and shoots are removed and burned. After this, the tree is treated with copper sulfate-based products. Bordeaux mixture can also be used. After the initial treatment, several more sessions are needed.

Black crayfish

Black spots appear on foliage and apples, which subsequently affect the tree bark. With black canker, the bark is twisted outward. It becomes deformed, and the tree appears untidy. All affected areas must be excised and burned. About 2 cm of healthy tree tissue is removed along with the affected areas. The wounds are cleaned and then treated with iron or copper sulfate. Copper oxychloride is also used. The treated wounds are treated with garden pitch and putty.

Cytosporosis

A fungal disease that manifests as black ulcers. Once they penetrate deep into the trunk, the trunk turns red. Left untreated, the tree quickly dies. All diseased branches must be removed and the wounds cleaned. After cleaning, the tree is treated with a fungicide and the trunk is whitewashed.

Phyllostictosis or brown spot

It appears as brown spots surrounded by a dark border. Brown spot affects the foliage. Fungal spores are located in the center and appear as small black dots. All affected foliage is removed and burned. The tree trunks are dug up. The apple tree is treated with urea. The solution concentration is 5% for the tree and 7% for the trunk area.

Powdery mildew

A sticky white coating appears on the foliage. The crown gradually dries out and turns brown. Powdery mildew is controlled with Bordeaux mixture or copper sulfate. Spray the apple tree and the area around the trunk, and collect and burn the diseased leaves.

Autumn feeding

Autumn feeding This is necessary to strengthen the tree before the onset of cold weather. Fertilizers based on potassium or ammonium sulfate are used. This will strengthen the apple trees' immune system, and they will produce a good harvest next year.

Apple trees should be treated regularly in the fall for diseases and pests. This will help prevent the development of many diseases and rid the tree of harmful insects. Healthy apple trees will delight you with juicy fruit every year.