plum tree trees ( Prunus domesticandPrunus salicina ) thrive in U.S. Department of Agriculture hardiness zone 4 through 9 and can provide you with plenty of delicious fruit , but only if you ensure that you control the gadfly and diseases that can put down your crop . plum tree trees are susceptible to a number of problems . The proper diligence of sprays at the right time helps to see that your trees give you fruit and not grief .
When to Spray
Rather than checking off the same dates on a calendar each class , it ’s best to clock your spraying sessions to thestagesof the plum tree tree fruit cycle each time of year .
Tip
Each part of the land tends to have a different balance of pesterer and disease , so it ’s helpful to demand at a local nursery or county extension what move plum Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree where you live and use atomiser that targets those problems .
Before Buds Appear
Sprayyour plum tree treeswithdormant oilwith endosufan or malathion to control mites , scale insects , peach tree borer and aphid . If plum pockets and folio curl are a problem in your area , the spray should include captan fungicide .
Warning
Dormant fossil oil must be use when afreeze is not expect ; if the temperature dips below freezing , the oil can cause serious damage to your tree .
When Buds Show Color
When the bud on your plum tree tree being to show colour but have not open yet , it ’s meter to spray again . Keep the Oriental fruit moth and the twig borer under mastery by applyingBacillius thuriengensisto the Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree . Also use captan to control plum tree pocket , brown guff , leafage curl and scab .
After Petal Fall
Once the petals have fallen from your plum trees , check for the presence of aphids . If they are a problem , add somedishwashing liquidto malathion to help the spray stick to the leave and utilize , being certain to get inside any curled foliage . Spray again with Bt to control both Oriental fruit moths and sprig bore bit . Apply captan again for plum pocket , brown rot , leaf curl and scab .
Throughout the Season
look until the fruit hasbegun to developand the husks are begin to pull back from the fruit , and then spray plum tree tree with spinosad , esfenvalerate or permethrin to contain twig borers . A mixture of captan , malathion and sulfur can be used to leaf curl , plum pocket , scab and brown rot , as well as dirt ball pests such as aphids and the peach Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree borer . Spray every 10 days as the fruit develops ; cease spray about a workweek before harvest .
Spraying Equipment
Spray lowly plum Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree with a handheld heart - trip sprayer , available in many base centers and nurseries . If you have a lot of Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree to spray or if your Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree are too tall for the spray from the hand-held ticker to reach every control surface , use a motorized atomiser .
How to Spray
plum tree tree sprays can be toxic , so always protect yourself when applying sprays . Use protective clothing . Always shower after spraying to get rid of any chemical substance on your skin . Wash your protective clothing individually from other wear . Never spray on windy Clarence Shepard Day Jr. to minimize the risk of the spray ending up where it is n’t wanted . Store all chemical in their original containers , and keep them where children and pet ca n’t pass on them . study and follow the original label directions .
Things Needed
Protective clothing : hat , rubber boot , foresightful pants , rubber mitt , prospicient sleeves , face shield or goggles
Sprayer
Appropriate spray

Step 1
Put on protective clothing before you lead off working with plum tree tree nebuliser . This includes hat , rubber boots , tenacious pants , rubber boxing glove , long sleeves and a face buckler or goggles .
Step 2
fulfill a handheld or motorized pressing sprayer with the appropriate nebulizer for the current stage of your plum tree diagram ’s fruiting cycle , such as before bud break or after the petals have fallen . Pressurize the sprayer .
Step 3
Work systematically to spray all part of the plum tree . Spray enough to saturate the entire plum tree tree diagram , including the trunk and the upper and center branches .
Step 4
Use plenty of water system to gargle the nozzles , hose and tank thoroughly after spraying , making certain no residue is left behind . Place the tank and other components in a direction that let the water drain out , allowing the equipment to dry out .
Many sprays are corrosive and can damage your spray equipment in a short time if the equipment is not well cleaned . Old sprays can also interact with new spray placed in the sprayer , causing a chemical reaction that can cause price to your plum tree tree . Never leave spray in the sprayer tank , even if you ’re going to be using the same spray again , because the atomizer will break down in the sprayer , rendering it ineffective when applied to tree .