HOA Field Day May 2022

Last Saturday 7/5/22 Morning twenty hardy HOA members gathered at George Andrew’s grove on Talga Rd, to hear our guest speakers, Joel Booty and Martin Meade show us and discuss the rapid difference that fertilisation makes to trees in the grove. They stressed that good results are achieved by using simple fertilisers containing Phosphate and sulphur, Martin pointed out that as much organic matter as possible will maximise the effect of the fertiliser.

      Robert Spooner Hart did find some Lace Bug hiding in the grove, despite it not looking badly affected and having been treated, he gave life cycle detail and when to treat. If the grove has a heavily infected neighbour or is near bushland, it is at constant risk. We have, in the Hunter, many ornamental, and neglected groves, and need to maintain vigilance.
         
AOA CEO Michael Southan travelled up to meet members and also had a lot to offer with regard to pest management. Very few of members present had harvested this year, but looking to the future had a lot of questions in regard to fertilisation and the best time to prune.
It was more a question and answer session than lectures, as Professor Spooner-Hart as well as a hand out on common pests and treatments, referred us to the OAO website for more detailed information.

 We would ask those present on Saturday for feedback, ideas for expansion on the topics covered or other ares interest for future workshops.