Question: 174-5201
I have one of those dwarf apple trees with 5 different apples. It got an orange colored spotting in the last month. This is the second year that we have had the tree. What can I spray the tree with to get rid of it? James, Groton, CT

Mort's Answer:
You have a rust. You will need to prune the tree to build it¼s strength. Newly planted material was easily stressed by the dry spring and early summer. Stressed plants are very vulnerable to insect and fungal infection. Your first order of business will be to fertilize the roots. Make 8 holes in a circle about two feet on each branch this winter. All upward shoots should also be cut out. A scaffolding of 5 major lateral branches should be developed over the next 5 years. All flower bearing branches should be developed over the next 5 years. All flower bearing branches should come off these 5 lateral branches. Lastly, you will need to spray very often to produce disease free fruit. When the leaves drop this fall, you can apply a dormant oil spray. It should be 65 for 4 days to be effective. If you miss this opportunity this fall, you can catch it this coming spring before the leaves come out. In the spring, you can follow this up with Bordeaux mix after the flower petals have dropped. Follow directions on the label for the additional spray times. You can apply the Bordeaux now to arrest the rust. I would not plan on getting too many apples for three years.

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Question: 176-5201
My wife started spraying our apple trees with a soluble fertilizer this year. We now have black spots on the fruit but not the leaves this year. We use a dormant oil spray every year. What can we do? Jim, Elizabeth City, NC

Mort's Answer:
Scab, fly speck or sooty blotch are best avoided with a program that includes dormant oil and Bordeaux Mix. As the bud swells in the spring, you can apply the first spray. A second spray is administered after petal fall with two more subsequent sprays. Follow directions on the label. Unfortunately, this program is too late for you this year. I would put out sticky, red maggot balls to discourage further egg laying by the flies. A soapy solution will help keep away most insects with the help of the red balls. I do not like to use soluble fertilizers on fruit and landscape material. The growth is too quick and requires constant follow up. Do not fertilize again for two years. Wash all the fruit and peel the fruit with black spots.

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Question: 177-5201
The lightening split our apple right down the middle. Will I have any apples and should I cut it down now? Sharon, Hastings, NEB

Mort's Answer:
I would cut the lesser half off at the stem. Use tree wax over the cut. Also apply tree wax over the exposed split that is left. Can you save it? Maybe. Should you try? Yes. You will need to fertilize as instructed in the above question. You will need to prune more severely because a lot of energy will be needed to restore the tree to health. The apples will ripen but they may be a lot smaller unless you do the recommended treatment soon.

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Question: 398-3410
Thanks to your help, I now have Granny Smith Apples grown from seed that are now about 3-4 ft. high. Can I fertilize and how? Diane, Marlboro, MA

Mort's Answer:
Dig 5 or 6 holes in a circle about 18 inches from the stem with a crowbar or tire iron down 6-8 inches deep.Fill these holes with 5-10-10 fertilizer. I t's a good idea to grow clover under the apples trees to provide nitrogen and pollen for the bees. You need not fertilize for another 5 years after this application. I would also suggest that you go to the library and get a book on pruning apple trees. In this coming year , you will need to build a scaffolding of four or five main branches, which will support your flower bearing branches. This first year, you can have two or three main branches and subsequently develop the restof the scaffolding. Eventually, you will be able to cut the ends to get more fruit. You will also need to spray regularly with a dormant oil spray and some Bordeaux Mix prior to bud swell and after petal drop. It was great to hear from you on the radio.

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Question: 178-5201
What is the best way to transplant asparagus? Virginia, Sheffield, IL

Mort's Answer:
Allow the asparagus to go to seed this summer. Cut it back in mid September. In the beginning of October, you can dig a trench that is 1 inch deep and 1 inch wide for as long as necessary to accommodate each plant about 18 inches apart. The trench can be refilled with loam, that is rich with aged manure at the bottom 2 inches. The remainder of the soil should be a third peat. Crowns of the asparagus should be at the old soil line at the top. Make an indentation on the edges of the trench. This will allow the rain water to be trapped. On top of the soil, you can add some granular 5-10-10 fertilizer. Let the plants go to seed each summer and cut them every fall.

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Question: 179-5201
When is a good time to cut back asparagus? Rose, Niantic, CT

Mort's Answer:
After you allow the spears to grow to seed, the lacy tops will feed the roots for next years stems. You can cut them down to the ground in late summer or early fall.

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Question: 180-5201
I would like to split my asparagus this year. When should I do it? Donald, Rock Tavern, NY.

Mort's Answer:
It is best to wait until the late or mid fall, which would be the end of September in your area. Dig out the whole row and lay the plants on their sides. Cut through the top and root at the same time like a cleave of pork chop. Be sure to get sufficient root (around two inches thick for each new plant). Dig two new trenches that are a foot deep and a foot wide for as long a sit takes to receive all the new plants 18 inches apart. The new soil should be rich in composted material with well rotted manure. It should be slightly mounded to the center with a little gully on each side of the new trench. After they are planted, you can cut off the tops. Line each side of the plants with a handful of bonemeal sprinkled on the soil. Asparagus love phosphorus and rich organic soil.

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