Mid to full bloom, when much of a tree's flowering is open and no fruit has begun to form, is the stage for a Florel spray, on a day between 65 and 95 degrees Fahrenheit. Crabapple and flowering pear make that stage easy to spot, while maple and sweet gum carry small flowers that need a closer look.

Why does the bloom stage decide whether a fruit spray works?

Because the spray acts on the step from flower to fruit. A growth regulator, a compound that changes a plant's hormonal signals rather than feeding or killing it, works on that step only while the flowers are open and before fruit set, the point when a pollinated flower starts developing into fruit, so an application made too early or too late is not effective.

How is mid to full bloom recognized on crabapple and flowering pear?

By the open blossoms. Crabapples bear white, pink, or red flowers in spring, and flowering pear opens dense white clusters in early spring before its leaves fully expand, so the window arrives once most clusters show open petals.

At that stage, wetting the blossoms with Florel Fruit Eliminator, mixed at about 3 ounces per gallon of water for most species, short of runoff, gives the thorough coverage complete results depend on.

How is bloom judged on maple and sweet gum, whose flowers are small?

Up close, at the branch tips. Maples flower in late winter or early spring, in most species with or just after the leaves appear, with small green, yellow, orange, or red flowers, while sweet gum carries greenish flower heads with no petals in spring, so several branches are checked rather than the tree judged from the ground.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do all the ornamental trees in one yard reach full bloom together?

No. Some maples flower as early as late winter, while crabapples and flowering pears bloom in spring, so each tree is checked and sprayed on its own schedule.

Can a maple be sprayed if it flowers before days reach 65 degrees?

Not within the label's terms. The application temperature has to sit between 65 and 95 degrees Fahrenheit and the bloom stage is described as extremely critical, so a maple that finishes flowering in cold weather leaves no workable window that season.

How many times is a tree sprayed each spring?

The product page doesn't give a number. It describes a single window at mid to full bloom, so the spray is timed to that stage rather than repeated through the season.

Why does flowering pear fruit linger into winter?

Because it stays hard. The small fruit, under 3/8 inch across, remains almost woody until frost softens it, after which birds eat it and spread the seeds.