Lime sulfur winter spray, how do you do it?

[james]

Fall has come, winter around the corner. All leaves off deciduous trees. About that time for dormant winter spray. I have chosen lime sulfur, which is hard to get these days. My intent is disease control, particularly trying to limit spring/summer


I went with 40:1 water:lime sulfur (29% calcium polusulfide). This is what I understand to be safe for conifer. I am aware others use 20:1 for deciduous without leaves.

What are your experiences? Do you do this seasonally? Take wire off deciduous? What about cut back, do before or after spray? Can dormant spray injure recent cuts? Have you seen damage to conifer foliage, or deciduous buds? Do you protect, or spray the soil? Do you like or dislike the whitening effect on trunk, branches?

 

[Shogun610]

Do you cover the pots before you spray? And how do you measure the dilution in that spray bottle ? I have one similar and was thinking about using like sulfur for dormancy as well.

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

Have you seen Scott’s great series on this?

Dormant Season Spraying Part 1: Broadleaf Deciduous Trees

Introduction Application of dormant sprays have been a game-changer for me in the health of my garden. This is not meant to be an endorsement of a specific brand of spray, but rather a discussion of the steps I undertake in my garden during the...

www.bonsainut.com

Dormant Season Spraying Part 2: Lime Sulfur and Bordeaux Mix

Lime Sulfur vs. Bordeaux Mix Lime sulfur is a mixture of calcium polysulphides formed by reacting calcium hydroxide with sulfur. It’s prepared by boiling the two reactants together with a surfactant (usually soap) and is used in aqueous...

www.bonsainut.com

I have diluted about 1.25 oz/gallon, and sprayed trees on a sunny day just after leaf drop in the past. Pretty sure that’s when they do it in Japan. Best to cover pots, or wipe them off before the LS dries. Scott’s article suggests waiting later, just as buds are swelling. Maybe it can be done twice.

 

[Gsteil]

So diluted LS spray is safe for conifer foliage?

 

[BobbyLane]

I remember Will baddely recommending it once after leaf drop and again as the buds swell on spring and that seemed to eradicate persistent black spot on elms for that season. Ive been applying at these times ever since and it does seem to keep fungal issues at bay. on some trees ive even applied a third time in mid summer and removed unsightly leaves. never had any issues with the LS staining the leaves whatsoever. yes the diluted solution is safe in my experience.

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

So diluted LS spray is safe for conifer foliage?

Yep

 

[Gsteil]

Thanks guys!