Q. I have a Independence Nectarine tree which I have been
nurturing for two years now. This is the first year I have had fruit! Of the nectarines I kept I am seeing something on
them that looks like dried droplets of sap. It is not sticky to the touch but I
have 2 nectarines that do not have it. Are you able to determine if I have some sort of blight with
the fruit? Will I just need to take this plant out?
A.
This type of sap, with all the scarring you see on the fruit as well, is caused
by small puncture wounds to the skin of the fruit. When the skin is punctured
on immature fruit, the sap oozes out of the hole and dries. Sometimes this
dried sap looks like little squigglies coming from the skin.
The holes in the skin are caused by
insects called thrips. These insects feed on the sap by pushing their long
skinny mouth part, called a stylet, through the skin and rupturing it.
insects called thrips. These insects feed on the sap by pushing their long
skinny mouth part, called a stylet, through the skin and rupturing it.
In wetter climates these punctures wounds
can cause the fruit to rot due to infections. Here in our hot, dry climate the
rotting doesn’t occur as often.
can cause the fruit to rot due to infections. Here in our hot, dry climate the
rotting doesn’t occur as often.
To keep your nectarine fruit treefrom blemishes and scarring, you must apply protective sprays to the fruit
early in the season. The most effective organic spray contains Spinosad. You
don’t want to spray Spinosad or any chemical over and over again or you can end
up with some problems.
You want to use two or three
different sprays in rotation with Spinosad. Other organic sprays you could use
in rotation with Spinosad include Neem oil, pyrethrum and insecticidal soap.
different sprays in rotation with Spinosad. Other organic sprays you could use
in rotation with Spinosad include Neem oil, pyrethrum and insecticidal soap.
Remember that organic sprays do not
last very long and may not cure a really bad problem that is underway. These
chemicals are more effective when they are used to protect fruits when you see
small numbers of pests.
last very long and may not cure a really bad problem that is underway. These
chemicals are more effective when they are used to protect fruits when you see
small numbers of pests.
Thanks for sharing this useful post. I will also use Spinosad in my Nectarine tree. I am searching for the best pesticide and you have given a good information.
Regard
Finn Felton