Johnsons's Garden Centers Text File document - copyright 2002
PDF file available at http://www.johnsonsgarden.com/newsletter/nurseryplants.html

Across the Fruited Plains
February 2001
Jason Rogers, Johnson's West Nursery Manager, Kansas Certified Nurseryman

    What? Grow fruit trees in Kansas? Often, a fruit tree might as well
be just another ornamental flowering tree because neither you nor Mother
Nature can ever seem to muster enough strength to produce any fruit
worth eating. No wonder the beautiful spring flowering fruit tree is
sometimes referred to as an ornamental.

    But if you desire to plant a fruit tree, or just want to revive the
old fruit tree that hasn't been taken care of in years, be comforted by
the fact that there are several orchards in Kansas. They are successful
not because they have fallen into good favor with Mother Nature, but
because they spend time taking care of their trees.

    The most important aspect of fruit tree care is a regular, faithful
spray cycle. The spray cycle recommended by Johnson's Garden Center is
as follows.

    Start in March with ferti-lome Scalecide. Apply Scalecide as the
weather begins to warm up and our first few nights are above freezing.
This application kills overwintering insects, mites and fungus living in
the cracks and under the bark of your tree.

    Then apply Hi-Yield Lime Sulphur Spray any time before the point of
the bud break. This is key in preventing Peach Leaf Curl.

    April brings the beginning stages of fruit production. Apply
ferti-lome Fruit Tree Spray when 80% of the flower petals have fallen to
the ground, and reapply weekly until four weeks after the fruit has
begun to form. This prevents further insect damage. Continue to spray
with ferti-lome Fruit Tree Spray every two weeks up until the time of
harvest.

    In November, apply ferti-lome Scalecide after the leaves have fallen
in order to protect the tree against overwintering insects, mites and
other problems such as rust.

    It is possible to grow good healthy fruit in the great State of
Kansas but it does require some dedication. But the treasures a
well-taken-care-of fruit tree affords will be your wonderful reward.
    

FRUIT TREE SPRAY SCHEDULE

1. PRE-PINK STAGE     ferti-lome Scalecide         Kills overwintering  
   (just before                                    stages ofinsects and         
   buds swell)                                     mites
                     
                      Hi-Yield Lime Sulphur Spray  Prevents Peach Leaf Curl


2. PETAL FALL         ferti-lome Fruit Tree Spray  Spray every week until 
   (most petals                                    fruit shows  
   have fallen)

3. COVER SPRAYS       ferti-lome Fruit Tree Spray  Every week for four weeks, 
   (after fruit set)                               then every two weeks until 
                                                   harvest                    
                            

4. DORMANT SPRAY       ferti-lome Scalecide        Kills overwintering stages 
   (after leaves fall)                             of insects and mites