Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat

Growing => Grow Your Own => Topic started by: Eblana on September 29, 2012, 14:39

Title: Plum Tree
Post by: Eblana on September 29, 2012, 14:39
Hi All,

Looking for some advice on what might be wrong with my plum tree.

I have a 5 year old Victoria plum.  Last year I got so much fruit on it that I was giving it away to anyone who would take it.  This year the tree flowered well and I got quite a few fruits forming on it but then I noticed that the leaves were all full of little holes.  When harvest time came for the fruit they all developed a mould on them (light brown/creamy spots).  I managed to grab about a dozen off the tree one evening but by the following morning these were covered in the mould as well.  There were loads of tiny little flies around the tree while it had these mouldy fruits on it.

The tree is planted in a shrub boarder but has plenty of room around its base.  I fed it last year with Growmore.

It looks a little sad at the moment but leaves etc. are still green just lots of little holes in them.

What should I do - has it got some disease that will eventually kill it or is it just something related to the horrible weather this year.
Title: Re: Plum Tree
Post by: 8doubles on September 29, 2012, 14:50
I think a lot of the problems are caused by aphids . When the little bug`s* are sucking the sap from the leaves and developing fruit they make tiny holes which allow the brown rot spores to get in.
A few sprays with soapy water normally thins them out and lessens the damage.

* 3 letters missing  :)
Title: Re: Plum Tree
Post by: Kleftiwallah on September 29, 2012, 15:14

Our plum tree (which may or may not survive my serious talking to) was in the habit of taking every other year off and holding back with the fruit.  ::)

Cheers,    Tony.
Title: Re: Plum Tree
Post by: Yorkie on September 29, 2012, 18:28
The 'mould' you describe sounds like brown rot (http://apps.rhs.org.uk/advicesearch/profile.aspx?pid=114).
Title: Re: Plum Tree
Post by: Eblana on September 29, 2012, 19:16
The 'mould' you describe sounds like brown rot (http://apps.rhs.org.uk/advicesearch/profile.aspx?pid=114).


That is it alright. Will try the controls in the article you attached - thanks a million.