Vitax 500ml Winter Tree Wash

Product Information

You are spraying bare branches so you need to apply sufficient spray to ensure that it runs down all the branches, into crevices and joints – to reach overwintering pests and fungal spores. Winter wash is an application that kills the egg status of many important pests such as various types of aphids, mites, weevils and moths. It also helps control the spores of fungal diseases. Remember – prevention is always better than cure. Maintain your garden well using good organic gardening techniques and extreme pest management solutions should not be necessary.

Fruit aphid populations are often not noticed until the plants are showing obvious signs of damage in the spring and early summer. In some cases by this time the damage is done and the aphids may have already left for their summer hosts or been consumed by predators making control measures redundant and undesirable At one time the most popular winter wash material was Tar Oil. Like some others – Mortegg and Bordeaux Mixture come to mind – they have all been withdrawn from the market, but fear not, there are several “safe” alternatives available based on fish oil. Choose fine wire mesh if your trees are plagued by smaller rodents such as voles, and make sure there is a wide enough gap between the trunk and the mesh so that hungry muzzles can’t push through and reach the bark. Flex the mesh into a tube and secure it using cable ties or wire. Use a cane to keep the tree guard upright, and make sure the wire is pushed firmly into the soil with no gaps at ground level. You may be able to remove guards in summer if the rodent problem is limited to the winter months. 5. Encourage Pest Predators The time is ripe for garden enthusiasts to protect trees and bushes from insects and aphids looking for prime spots to lay their eggs this winter. To help prepare for the harsh months ahead, Vitax has developed three products to keep insects at bay. Winter Tree Wash, Fruit Tree Grease and Tree Bands have each been created to ensure trees remain in tip-top condition during the colder months. Pay attention to the weather: Make sure to apply the winter wash when the temperature is above freezing and the tree is dormant. Applying the solution when it is too cold can damage the tree.There are five simple techniques that I have found to be effective at keeping fruit tree pests at bay. Conveniently, they can be carried out once the frantic pace of the main growing season has passed, meaning you can give your full attention to this important task. 1. Protect Against Winter Moth Using Glue Bands

Practice good garden hygiene and dispose of diseased material. Don’t add foliage or branches with fungal diseases to your compost heap. Gently scrub the bark and branches with the brush or cloth, paying close attention to areas where you can see a lot of dirt or debris I remember a case where the problem was Woolly Aphid on young apple trees – the name says it all, if you spray lightly, the woolly covering will protect the beasties, they need to be washed out. The case I have in mind was dealt with slightly differently, using a paint brush to apply methylated spirits.Some pests will overwinter in leaf litter or in the soil around your fruit trees so they can be near to their food source when spring comes around. Good garden hygiene is the answer. Rake up all fallen leaves and compost them away from your trees to foil pests such as apple blossom weevil, which can destroy flowers and ruin your fruit crop.

Winter washing can be an effective way to rid yourself of overwintering pests and fungal spores on fruit trees. It is possible to find ‘organic’ solutions for this purpose. But in an organic garden, winter washing is not necessarily a good idea.

Flower buds

Some aphids, for example woolly aphid, and brown peach aphid, do not have a summer host and instead remain on fruit trees throughout the year.