tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2289336888189670525.post4574449187910417827..comments2023-10-23T10:02:30.079-04:00Comments on Central Virginia Organic Gardener: Partial SuccessJudy Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17716313522956637731noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2289336888189670525.post-37798277858420984062012-06-27T18:35:35.125-04:002012-06-27T18:35:35.125-04:00Hi Anita,
Many fruit pests are exotics, that is, t...Hi Anita,<br />Many fruit pests are exotics, that is, they were accidentally imported from other places around the world. Same with some diseases. Also, gardeners and farmers are often trying to grow plants in places in which they did not evolve and are not suited for. And, lastly, I suspect that fruits were pretty hard to grow then too.Judy Thomashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17716313522956637731noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2289336888189670525.post-79043994935386756132012-06-27T18:19:38.852-04:002012-06-27T18:19:38.852-04:00I was about to ask how the peaches taste until I r...I was about to ask how the peaches taste until I read your response to Jenn.<br /><br />Now I'll ask: How did the settlers (assuming they had peach trees), and even more recent generations, produce good fruit without all the sprays we now have?Anitahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08180243708565855383noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2289336888189670525.post-82448165554069943342012-06-26T07:25:49.824-04:002012-06-26T07:25:49.824-04:00Hi Jenn,
Here are some considerations for you (th...Hi Jenn, <br />Here are some considerations for you (there are more things that can go wrong with tree fruit than I can count, the VA ag extension says growing organic peaches in VA is near impossible-I disagree, though it is work):<br />Gardens Alive has a peach tree spray schedule you might want to look at, plus Mike McGrath's garden solutions archive on their site had peach advice. He grows organic peaches in PA.<br />Granular rock phosphate and a one inch layer of compost might stimulate your non-productive tree.<br />Peaches need: extensive pruning and thinning; good air circulation; a dog to keep squirrels away; good orchard hygiene; dormant oil, anti caterpillar, anti fungal and Surround sprays, to be grown organically.<br />Lastly, maybe my standards are lower? I am willing to accept fruit that is not cosmetically pretty, that is damaged but salvageable...these still taste good.<br />Let me know if you have more questions at jmthomas@clearwire.netJudy Thomashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17716313522956637731noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2289336888189670525.post-68483167551944336972012-06-26T05:03:46.735-04:002012-06-26T05:03:46.735-04:00We have two peach trees.... and only one produces ...We have two peach trees.... and only one produces fruit... we've had them for several years now... even with spraying and more spraying we have yet to see a fruit that is edible...Jennhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01628127682935475470noreply@blogger.com