It
rained this past week. That’s good news, right? Maybe. If you are growing Asian
pears, European pears like Bartlett or apples you might see a disease pop up
beginning around May. Infection starts as black dieback of new growth like it
was burned by fire.
Fire Blight
This is an extreme case of fireblight on one of the pome fruits such as apple, pear, quince or Asian pear. It usually is seen in mid to late spring when all the growth is going gung-ho. |
Its normally not as obvious as the first picture. That was unusual. This is more common. Dieback of new growth and oftentimes its black just like fire hit it. |
This disease is called Fire Blight and can lead to tree
death if not controlled when it’s first seen in May or June. It can be common
several weeks after spring rains particularly if trees were flowering during
spring rainy weather.
death if not controlled when it’s first seen in May or June. It can be common
several weeks after spring rains particularly if trees were flowering during
spring rainy weather.
Fire
Blight is a bacterial disease, so fungicide sprays won’t work. The best thing is
to remove the infected limb by pruning
generously. Sanitize the blades of any pruning tools with 70% alcohol after
each cut. Then bag this diseased black growth and get it off the property ASAP.
Blight is a bacterial disease, so fungicide sprays won’t work. The best thing is
to remove the infected limb by pruning
generously. Sanitize the blades of any pruning tools with 70% alcohol after
each cut. Then bag this diseased black growth and get it off the property ASAP.
Bunch Rot
Another
disease I saw pop up last year in grapes was a Bunch Rot disease but not really seen
until the bunches got big. However, the disease started during spring, rainy
weather like we just had. For homeowners, copper containing fungicide sprays
work best to contain this disease with the first of three sprays starting now
as the grape bunches first start to form.