🚀 go-pugleaf

In article <71led4$n76@masters0.InterNex.Net>, "John Steinbach"
<johns@rwb.com> wrote:

> I just moved into a house that has 8 orange trees, 2 apple trees, 2 peach
> tress, a huge fig tree and two tagerine trees. My first of many questions
> might go somthing like this: We moved in in early July and the apples were
> already on there way. As I have three small children I was hesitatant to
> spray for the usual suspects (coddling moths?) Now the apples are ripe but
> about 3/4 of them have worms in the middle. Is there somthing I can do next
> year that is non toxic?

Heh, I'm just like you plus a year.  We moved in June 1997.  The house has
a orange tree, 2 lemon trees, 2 apple trees, and a fig tree behind us that
we get to use all the figs from.

When we moved in the apples were already formed but about 90% had coddling
moth damage already.  I have been trying to find truely organic solutions
to this problem.  I don't mind some damage but would like to bring it down
to, say, 30%.  Dormant oil spray is certified for organic use and is the
treatment of choice for coddling moths.  As it's a form of refined
petroleum, I won't use it, "organic" or not.  But it's basically "mineral"
oil so it is okay around kids.

This year I sprayed with a 50-50 mixture of water and canola oil but I only
did it once and the rain washed it away.  From the research I've done,
canola oil should be just as effective as petroleum oil but it will wash
away much easier and has to be reapplied after every rain.  I thought I had
beaten the moths this year but they just came very late.

Next year I will be diligent with the vegetable oil spraying and will
perhaps try some phermone traps, though I've heard mixed reviews about
them.

Cyndi

_______________________________________________________________________________
Oakland, California            Zone 9 USDA; Zone 16 Sunset Western Garden Guide
Disabled, chemically sensitive, wheelchair user          Organic Gardening only
_______________________________________________________________________________
"There's nothing wrong with me.  Maybe there's                     Cyndi Norman
something wrong with the universe." (ST:TNG)         cnorman@consultclarity.com
                         Owner of the Immune Lists: http://www.best.com/~immune
_________________________________________________ http://www.consultclarity.com