Apple and Peach Bud Development and How Late You Can Safely Apply Copper
Posted: April 5, 2011
The brief warm-up in temperatures on April 4th resulted in additional bud development in orchards. At the Penn State Fruit Research and Extension Center, we also trapped our first scab ascospores.
Copper is applied to apple trees to prevent fire blight infections.
Dr. Henry Ngugi, Penn State Fruit Research and Extension Center Plant Pathologist
Fortunately, the number is still way below threshold levels.
If you still need to apply copper on peach, it can be safely applied until the pink bud stage. Beyond that, the risk of plant damage increases.
For apples, any time after the 1/4 inch green stage is too late, especially on sensitive fresh market cultivars.
