Now's the Time for Dormant Oil

Starting in late summer, aphids, mites and scale begin preparing for winter by laying eggs on the trunks and branches of fruit-bearing and ornamental trees in your landscape. These eggs will remain in place until spring temperatures reach a hatching point. Throughout the winter, small holes on the surface of the eggs allow air into the developing insect inside. It is the breathability characteristic of these insect eggs that allows dormant oil to be effective this time of year. The dormant oil coats the insect egg, cutting off the air flow. 

Dormant oils are made from highly refined mineral oils.  Product choices include concentrated Ferti-Lome Dormant Spray and ready-to-use Ferti-Lome Horticultural Oil Spray. 

If you want the convenience of a product that's ready to use, choose Ferti-Lome's Horticultural Oil Spray. Hook up the hose, turn it on and you're ready to spray. For larger jobs, it's more cost effective to buy Ferti-Lome Dormant Spray. Dormant Spray can be applied with a tank sprayer or a hose end sprayer. 

For ease of application, buy a self-mixing hose end applicator. You set the dial to the recommended rate either tablespoons or teaspoons, hook up the hose and the sprayer mixes the right proportion automatically.  There's no waste because you don't have to guess at how much spray you need. When you're done, unhook the hose, disconnect the sprayer, put the cap back on the container and store it on the shelf. Ideal conditions for spraying dormant oil would be on a day in late February or early March when the temperature is above 40°F, there’s little or no wind and no rain or snow in the forecast. Plan to spray early in the morning so the tree or shrub will be dry by evening. Spray enough to cover the tree trunks and shrub branches thoroughly. 

Dormant oil may be applied every two weeks up until bud break; the point when the bud starts to show color. While dormant oil reduces the insect stress on ornamental trees and shrubs, it’s your fruit trees that will benefit the most. 

 Spraying your fruit trees now will increase the overall yield as well as the quality of the fruit you harvest. Photo Credit Monrovia. In addition, applying dormant oil now reduces the need for more aggressive insecticides later in the season.