Dormant spray, also known as horticultural oil, serves as a protective measure for fruit trees and fruit bearing shrubs, roses and deciduous ornamentals. It contains refined petroleum products or vegetable oils and acts by suffocating pests such as aphids, spider mites, and scale insects. Dormant oil, should be applied before buds open during late winter to early spring, when temperatures hover just above freezing. It coats the tree’s branches and trunks, preventing these pests from overwintering. Applying spray products which contain oil plus fungicides such as copper sulphate or lime sulphur ensures that trees enter the growing season healthy and robust by combatting also fungal diseases. The spray forms a barrier that inhibits the development of spores that can infect trees.
Application Techniques: Applying dormant spray correctly ensures that fruit plants get the maximum benefit. Choose a calm sunny day to apply the product. Coat the plant thoroughly to ensure all cracks in bark and branches are covered. Spray Equipment: Use a pump sprayer or backpack sprayer for even coverage. Ensure your equipment is clean to avoid contamination. Protective Gear: Wear gloves, goggles, and a mask to protect yourself from chemicals. Copper sulphate and lime sulphur are hazardous to human health. Weather Check: Confirm a dry, calm day with temps above 0 degree Celsius or 40°F. Ideal conditions prevent spray drift and ensure even absorption. Dilution: Follow product instructions for proper dilution. Too strong a mix may harm plants; too weak may not provide adequate protection.
How to Make Dormant Oil: A homemade dormant oil spray can be a game-changer if an “all organic” approach is desired. The mixing ingredients are oils, liquid soap and water. Types of Oils: Mineral Oil suffocates pests effectively and creates a protective barrier. Vegetable Oil is an eco-friendly alternative that can also help target pests. Canola Oil is effective and readily available and non-toxic and safe for the environment. Essential Oils (optional) A few drops of essential oils, like neem or clove oil, for additional pest-repelling properties. These can enhance the efficacy of the dormant oil spray.
Measuring Ingredients: Oil: Use a 1:1 ratio of oil to water. Liquid Soap: Add 1 tablespoon of liquid soap to act as an emulsifier. Blend Thoroughly: Use a whisk or a hand blender to mix the ingredients until they form a consistent solution. Check consistency to ensure there are no separate layers; the mixture should look uniform. Fill the mixed dormant oil spray into a clean, dark glass or plastic container. The container should be labelled with the contents and the date of preparation. Store container in dark and cool place to maintain its efficacy.
Hi, I am Matt – the owner of Chasing Sprouts website. The blog, resources and plant database segments feature a wealth of information to master all sorts of gardening projects. Feel free to share my articles with your world. Bookmark Chasing Sprouts to stay in the loop! |
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