As Australian orchards brace for another growing season, the true battle for crop health and yield begins not in spring—but now, during dormancy.

Overwintering pests and pathogens lurk quietly in buds, bark, and leaf litter, ready to unleash destructive outbreaks just as fruit trees awaken.

This is why Kendon Lime Sulphur has become a cornerstone of smart orchard management: it is a proactive tool with powerful impact, and skipping it dramatically raises the RISK of early-season disasters.

Kendon Lime Sulphur, a calcium polysulfide-based solution, offers growers a time-tested yet modern defence against overwintering threats.

Applied during winter dormancy—after leaf fall and before bud swell—it acts as both a fungicide and miticide, directly targeting overwintering fungal spores and mite eggs.

Its mode of action is physical, not systemic: it desiccates eggs and disrupts fungal structures on contact, making it a perfect fit for resistance management strategies and organic systems alike.

Why is this so crucial?

Because many of the most damaging orchard diseases and pests begin their lifecycle long before we see symptoms.

European Red Mite eggs rest under bud scales. Apple Scab spores overwinter in fallen leaves.

Brown rot hides in mummified fruit, and powdery mildew resides in dormant buds. Without intervention, these pests and diseases erupt in early spring, when trees are most vulnerable.

The result? Leaf damage, reduced photosynthesis, poor fruit set, and cascading losses that affect both yield and quality.

Kendon Lime Sulphur stops this cycle.

By dramatically reducing overwintering inoculum and mite populations, it lowers the pressure of early infections and infestations—giving orchards a clean start.

This means fewer emergency chemical treatments, better outcomes for Integrated Pest Management (IPM) programs, and reduced environmental RISK.

Moreover, its use early in the season decreases reliance on in-season synthetic pesticides, helping delay the onset of chemical resistance across a range of pests and pathogens.

Benefits extend well beyond control.

Kendon Lime Sulphur is used in organic production, breaks down rapidly in the environment, and poses minimal risk to beneficial insects and pollinators.

For growers committed to sustainability—or simply seeking to reduce chemical inputs and preserve long-term orchard health— it’s an obvious choice.

Fewer synthetic sprays mean fewer residues, less environmental impact, and lower production costs.

Another compelling reason to use Kendon Lime Sulphur lies in its role in resistance prevention. By suppressing early-stage pest and disease outbreaks, growers reduce the need for repetitive, in-season chemical applications—preserving the efficacy of key active ingredients for the future.

This is particularly important in managing diseases like apple scab and powdery mildew, which can quickly adapt to overused fungicides.

Proper timing and application technique are crucial

Kendon Lime Sulphur should only be applied when trees are fully dormant—after the leaves have fallen but before buds begin to swell—to avoid harming delicate new growth.

Ensure complete coverage during spraying, reaching all surfaces including bark, buds, and branches.

During the dormant to semi-dormant stages, Kendon Lime Sulphur may be mixed with Kendon White Oil or another compatible oil. However, it must not be combined with oil once any green tissue is visible.

Extra caution is advised when treating young or stressed trees, as they can be more vulnerable to the product's caustic properties.

In today’s high-stakes horticultural landscape, Kendon Lime Sulphur is more than a winter spray— it’s a strategic investment in your orchard’s resilience, productivity, and sustainability.

The modest upfront cost of a well-timed application can prevent costly pest outbreaks, protect yield, and reduce the need for repeated chemical interventions later in the season.

So, when weighing your winter management decisions, remember: don’t be penny wise and pound foolish—a small investment now can save you significantly more in the months ahead.