Gardening Forum

[incisor]

So, when is this thread going to be turned into a sub-forum, so different topics can have their own thread?

soon

[Dark61]

what's eating my Apple Trees? First year I moved in (2009) I had a bumper crop. Since then a bit hit and miss. Last year a good crop - this year B/A.
I don't see any Possum poo around the base - I don't see any bugs / caterpillars either. 100 yards to the left of the shed - I have two rows of young trees - which don't get touched. The damage starts when the first flowers and leaves appear. I'm assuming at night. Any ideas gratefully appreciated.
cheers,
D

[Don 130]

Hello All,

I used to use a 3 tine pitchfork a lot around gardens when I was in the trade. I thought I would go online to find out if any are available and what is a rough starting price. I even went to the "B" site and typed in "Pitch fork", Pitchfork, hay fork and just "fork". Nothing came up that was like what I am after.

I wound up finding an idea of a price for one with a fibreglass handle on eBay under "hay fork". It was not really what I was after - at least it had three tines and a long handle.

Gee I thought it would be easy. Now armed with a price I will check out the local produce store in person. You know a more rural mindset! Then I will check out the hardware stores.

I want some distance between some piles of branches that the grass has grown through which I want to move and the local Joe Blakes - the King Browns, the red bellied blacks and such that we get here.

Kind Regards
Lionel

Cyclone tools have a hay fork, but not many will stock them. You may be able to order one from bunnings, but check the price first. Last time I saw one for sale, it was close to $100.00. Second hand, (ebay?) or a clearing sale might be the go.

3 Tine Hay Fork - long timber handle - Cyclone Tools Pty Ltd

Don.

[Don 130]

what's eating my Apple Trees? First year I moved in (2009) I had a bumper crop. Since then a bit hit and miss. Last year a good crop - this year B/A.
I don't see any Possum poo around the base - I don't see any bugs / caterpillars either. 100 yards to the left of the shed - I have two rows of young trees - which don't get touched. The damage starts when the first flowers and leaves appear. I'm assuming at night. Any ideas gratefully appreciated.
cheers,
D

I'd suggest it's a brush tail possum.

Don.

[DiscoMick]

Could be. Or a bush rat.
Is the tree apparently healthy? Any fungus?
If you spray a soapy water mixture on it, you may deter any possums and combat any fungus at the same time.

[Lionelgee]

what's eating my Apple Trees? First year I moved in (2009) I had a bumper crop. Since then a bit hit and miss. Last year a good crop - this year B/A.
I don't see any Possum poo around the base - I don't see any bugs / caterpillars either. 100 yards to the left of the shed - I have two rows of young trees - which don't get touched. The damage starts when the first flowers and leaves appear. I'm assuming at night. Any ideas gratefully appreciated.
cheers,
D

Hello D,

Does the damage look like this? Accessed November 15 2016 from, something is stripping the bark off my 15 yr old lime tree - I suspect possums - Yates.

How to make lime wash for citrus - you would have to check how apples like lime? Accessed November 15, 2016 from https://www.organicgardener.com.au/a...ased-whitewash

What is good for the Rutaceae Family = Citrus may not be good for the Rosaceae Family = Apple. .... time passes .... research .... research okay . All good in the Loir Valley, Accessed November 15, 2016 from, http://beyondclean.org/2011/03/23/da...he-apple-trees.

Perhaps a cheapish motion activated camera could assist identifying the culprit? What about painting the branches with something unpalatable such as lime wash or soapy water? Or good old physical intervention of netting. By protecting one tree though you could be endangering others.

Oh by the way I bear no liability for results from my suggestions.

Kind Regards
Lionel

[Dark61]

Thanks for the replies. When the tree comes out in blossom , looks good and healthy. Then it all goes pear (apple)shaped. I've not seen any Cockatoos and the bark isn't being stripped - just the new shoots/blossom being nibbled.Can't see any fungus. I hadn't thought of the soapy water - that sounds nice and gentle - I didn't want to spray anything unpleasant on it. I've ringed both with some chicken wire loosely supported and will have a go with the soapy water. I haven't seen any possum poo about and I have other apple trees that aren't being touched - also two nectarines and a plum with no issues either. I've wanted one of those farm cameras for ages and keep hoping they come down in price - but they don't seem to. I'll report back.
cheers,
D

[Dark61]

I gave the SWB a bit of a trim.
cheers,
D

[bob10]

what's eating my Apple Trees? First year I moved in (2009) I had a bumper crop. Since then a bit hit and miss. Last year a good crop - this year B/A.
I don't see any Possum poo around the base - I don't see any bugs / caterpillars either. 100 yards to the left of the shed - I have two rows of young trees - which don't get touched. The damage starts when the first flowers and leaves appear. I'm assuming at night. Any ideas gratefully appreciated.
cheers,
D

Contact this mob. If any one knows, they should.

Pests and Diseases

[1950landy]

Something has been eating the leaves on our Calla Lilies the last couple of weeks & I have been spraying with Pyrethrum every second day but they are still being eaten. When I was out there early this morning & there are a lot of small green grasshoppers around the garden. Does any one know what is best to kill the hoppers with out poisoning us when we eat our produce?

I also don't want to kill the native bees that are pollinating out fruit trees & Q cumber vines , ect.