Questions about Bagging peaches/apples while they STILL are Growing ON the tree to protect from,?

Question

I just read about this to preserve fruit. Need to know this.

What is the BEST way to bag the fruit while its still growing on the tree? So it does not ROT while growing?

3 METHODS I COULD USE ARE THESE.

(1) Plastic Sandwich bags,

(2) brown paper bags or

(3)nylon footie's I know to bag each piece of fruit it is time consuming but I think I would like to go this route then mess with pesticides.

I live in a climate where it gets (humid in the summer) and I don't want the fruit to rot off the trees. Please tell the whats the best way?

Thanks so much I am having quite a harvest but I found at least 2 peaches with worms in them and they are NOT TREATED. They can still be eaten but carefully as they have worms in them.

Again I dont WANT pesticides just more info about bagging them and the best way so they don't rot while on the tree. and while growing inside the bag. Also again it is a humid summer where i live.

Thanks!

Answer 1

I just finished reading THE 64 DOLLAR TOMATO. Check it out. He didn't want to use pesticides on his produce and tried the bag method of putting each apple in a little baggie and tied it. He was very disappointed as many still had bugs in them and the time it took , was not worthwhile. It was  a great chapter so see if you can find it at Half Price Books. Good luck.

Answer 2

If you're going to bag your fruit, it must be done early in the season.  Many pests lay their eggs on/near the fruit early in the season, soon after flowering.  

In any event, a paper bag or the nylons will work best.  A plastic bag will hold in too much moisture and it could cause the fruit to rot.

Pre-staple the bags partly closed before placing them over the fruit and finishing the stapling.  This will make the job go faster.