I've read of the challenges that folks deal with in very hot climates like Phoenix, Las Vegas, etc.

It doesn't get that extreme here but I may be applying some of this http://www.groworganic.com/surround-25-lb.html (already have it for more sensitive pitaya I also grow) to some of my new trees going into the ground.  I suggest some of you in give it a try.  A 25 pound bag should last backyard growers many years.  It is widely used by commercial growers of many crops.

Harvey, thanks for that info.  It sounds like pretty good stuff and, if it's working on the Japanese Beatles, perhaps it will work on those Sri Lankan leaf miners I was telling you about a few months ago (luckily, my pom's did come back from all the damage!)?  I like that it's OMRI listed, too.  Nice find!

Harvey,
Thank you for your good suggestion.
Over the years, on mostly the younger trees have been using white wash. Will see if I may find that kaolin based solution.

Francisco

It kills cucumber beetles too, the way it works is the beetles keep trying to clean themselves off, but he surround (kaolin clay) keeps getting them dirty and they end up spending their energy cleaning themselves and end up dying because of it.  I am not sure if all beetles are affected by it but I would imagine most would be.

So we have over an acre.  The rest is all native stuff that we don't really care if it lives or dies, except we keep it cut for fire control.  Will 25 lbs work for that much land?  A vineyard,  and many, many fruiting trees of various kinds.

We must have 15 citrus, and that Asian Psyllid is a huge threat.  Happy to buy 25 lbs, but with our land, should we get 50?

Suzi

Suzi, If you read the text associated with Harvey's link, the recommended application rate is 50lbs/acre. Take a look at how much of your acreage has trees/shrubs you want to spray and go from there. It'll probably cost you almost $50 shipped if you get it from Peaceful Valley. I'd imagine there are enough nurseries down in SoCal that you should be able to find in quantity down there.

I'll check on other buying options for the product.  Thank you!

Suzi

It's also not a one-time application. From the link:  "Reapplication is required every 7-21 days."

Many farm supply shops should carry this.  It is quite inexpensive as over the long run as a quarter pound is probably more than what most hobbyists would use to spray all of their trees one time.  So a 25 pound bag should last many years.  The frequency of reapplying is based on how vigorous your trees are growing (i.e., if new growth needs protection) and if you happen to have unseasonal rains wash some of it off.

My thermometer says 113 right now. Figs doing just fine without clay, bit good to know.

I planted out several rooted cuttings and used woven black landscape fabric. The little plants were wilting the next day from the heat even with a coat of surround I applied before planting; so I sprayed a 3ft circle on the fabric around the plants and that really helped them.

If you're not getting sunburn problems but instead having wilting, their are also some polymer products that can help with that.  Some are marketed for frost protection (since frost also ends up causing plants to dry out).  Cloud Cover is one product sold at retail, I believe.  I've used Anti-Stress 550 on plants before transplanting and it's seemed to help quite a bit.  Again, a little bit goes a long ways.

Thanks Harvey, hopefully they establish well before it gets really hot but I will remember that.

Hi hossierbanana,
If you really get too much heat/sun, you might want to provide shadow . You can plant tomatoes in front of/around the trees to make a shading barrier .
Tomatoes grow fast and you can shape/prune them to fit your needs .
Of course you need to water the tomatoes .
So instead, you might want to install some wood in front of your trees to protect them from the sun.
Last year, my figtrees that took less damage from the heat and drought during my vacations were the ones shaded by something (tomato plants, peach trees, raspberries ... ) - some lost half of their leaves ...

What is a vacation? ; )

When I said several I meant 46 (although several of those are one year old). So aside from a spray, or something like straw mulch it is just too much work. It has been rainy and cloudy so they will probably have no trouble.

It's interesting to note that sun and heat here in the desert don't seem to speed up the time to ripen. I have figs that started fairly early but they are still taking a long time to ripen. Some have just been sitting there for months.