05/13/2024
Hello Friends
I hope that you all have your Spinosad on hand! It is time to go into hypervigilant mode. Right now your bushes should be in leaf and have pink flower buds forming. The flowers will be white when they open, but they appear pink before they do.
What you are looking for is anything eating the leaves, If they are not perfect with sharp pointed ends, you may need to spray now. Other signs of moth damage are fine spider like webs going from tip to tip of the plant tops. This spray is so benign, you are better off spraying too early than not at all. Winter moth caterpillars look like inch worms, only they have a stripe down their side. If you see those anywhere, use your spray. Spinosad is organic and will comply with Cape's new pesticide ordinance.
IMPORTANT: It is critical that you spray your bushes after bee activity has stopped for the night. Usually this is around 7:30 or 8pm. Check carefully to be sure the bees have goine in for the night. By morning the spray is inactive and the bees can safely come back to do their job.
This article has a great deal of info about the winter moth
https://ag.umass.edu/landscape/fact-sheets/winter-moth-identification-management
If you have not purchased your Spinosad, you should be able to get it at Broadway Gardens, but since I am sending so many of you there, they may be out. You can get it on Amazon here
https://www.amazon.com/Monterey-LG6130-Garden-Insect-Spinosad/dp/B0018C567Q/ref=dp_prsubs_sccl_2/133-9283393-9448728?pd_rd_w=4qgGJ&content-id=amzn1.sym.53e0c629-1936-47cb-93a2-c361b12e7d3c&pf_rd_p=53e0c629-1936-47cb-93a2-c361b12e7d3c&pf_rd_r=AVNKGS27ECJN6R331S29&pd_rd_wg=dvd0b&pd_rd_r=2e840ece-7bf6-402d-af29-cd29d8964db6&pd_rd_i=B0018C567Q&psc=1
Wishing you all the best of luck!
If you have the ability, I would love to hear what your production per bush is. None of the bushes are fully mature yet, and I am sure there will be a bit of a backstep from the transplantation, but last year the bushes averaged 6 pounds or 4.25 quarts per bush. When all things are perfect, each bush has the ability to produce up to 10 pounds of blueberries.
My best to you all
Your favorite Blueberrian
Patt
Garden Insect Spray.The active ingredient in our Garden Insect Spray is a natural bacteria called Spinosad, which is the newest agricultural chemistry to be introduced into the homeowner market. Safe for organic gardening, the spray can be used on outdoor ornamentals, lawns, vegetables, and also ...
