Spraying Honeyberry Plants
Familiarize yourself with potential pest and diseases issues for honeyberry plants in your area. Your local cooperative horticultural extension is an excellent resource for this information. Documents for identification and control (put together by your local state universities) may already exist online, free of charge. Your nearest independent garden centers and local growers are also invaluable sources of pest and disease control in your area.
Prior to using any sprays, be sure to read and follow the instructions printed on the product label. Due to the potential for sensitivities that may vary from plant to plant, always test a small area prior to making a broad application.
NOTE: This is part 9 in a series of 11 articles. For a complete background on how to grow honeyberry plants, we recommend starting from the beginning.
Honeyberry plants are not known to have significant insect pests or disease issues to spray for, so spraying honeyberry plants may not be necessary at all; however, here are some things to keep in mind if you find that you need to spray your honeyberry plants.
General Maintenance
Before you begin, read and follow all instructions on the labels of the products you have in hand. Do not combine any chemicals unless the labels on each chemical spray involved specifically state that you can safely do so.
A proactive home spray program for honeyberry plants includes dormant-season as well as growing-season sprays for pests and diseases. Research your location and learn about any pests or disease that are common in your area. If you know certain diseases are common in there, consider planting disease-resistant varieties if possible.
Note: Contact your local county Cooperative Extension for alternative suggestions and advice on cultural and chemical control methods if certain sprays offered by Stark Bro’s are not recommended for use in your area.
When to Spray Honeyberry Plants
- Growing Season – Bud Break (emergence of new growth)
- Growing Season – After Blossom (after petals drop*)
*gives bees and other beneficials a chance to safely pollinate the blossoms
It bears repeating: Always follow instructions printed on container label for more detailed information, such as timing and application instructions specifically for honeyberry plants.
Combination Spray for Honeyberry Pests & Diseases
Natural Guard® Neem
- Pests: Aphids, spider mites, scale, whiteflies, beetles, leafrollers, and other insect pests.
- Diseases: Powdery mildew, black spot, downy mildew, anthracnose, rust, leaf spot, botrytis, blight, and alternaria.
- Timing: Dormant Season, Growing Season – Bud Break, Growing Season – After Blossom
- Type: Mainly preventative, also active. Controls overwintering pests and their eggs, and pests on contact. Controls and prevents fungal diseases.
- Application: Follow the label. Oil-based, so apply in early morning/late evening to minimize the potential for leaf burn. Test a small area prior to broad application to minimize risk to sensitive varieties. Apply as directed, every 7 to 14 days as needed.
Monterey Fruit Tree Spray Plus
- Pests: Aphids, mites, scale, whiteflies, beetles, leafrollers, loopers, mealybugs, leafhoppers, leafminers, thrips, borers, grasshoppers, crickets, ants, hornworm, earwig, chiggers, worms, and other insect pests.
- Diseases: Powdery mildew, black spot, brown spot, dollar spot, snow mold, downy mildew, anthracnose, rust, leaf spot, botrytis, needle rust, blight (flower blight, twig blight, and tip blight), scab.
- Timing: Growing Season – Pre-Bloom (for early disease prevention), Growing Season – After Blossom (for pest and disease control on contact).
- Type: Mainly active, also preventative. Controls pests on contact. Pests must be present for spray to be effective. Controls and prevents fungal diseases.
- Application: Follow the label. Apply as directed, every 7 to 14 days, as needed. Do not use more than 1 time per day on the same plants. Do not use more than 10 times per season. Do not apply when temperatures are below 45ºF. Do not apply to wilted or otherwise stressed plants. Apply in early morning or late evening to minimize potential for leaf burn. Test for plant sensitivity prior to broad use.
