Thank you, Dove, again. I've read the piece you've supplied and feel not so happy as this looks a seriously persistent trouble and I never spray anything in my garden. If things succumb and don't stand a chance, I usually throw them out. BUT I want to save my tree!
Obviously I can't isolate the tree but I'm wondering if mulching with my own compost adds to the problems caused by loose-in-the-environment fungi? I really don't know what to thing!
I don't spray either ... I would ensure that all fallen leaves are cleared up and burned ... as I said clear the soil beneath the tree and mulch in the autumn and again in the spring ... I would use well-rotted farmyard manure ... just don't let it touch the trunk.
Mulching over the area around the tree will cover any of the spores that may be on the ground and prevent them getting onto the new leaves next spring.
Don't panic ... few trees are without some sort of something ... all we can do is try to limit the problems ... no such thing as perfect
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
Lots of fruit can be misshapen. Remember that the shops only accept the perfect shapes and sizes from the growers so we don't get to see weird shapes except in our own gardens.
If the spots only affect the skin, the fruit will be healthy to eat, just not pretty. I once read that slightly damaged/misshaped fruit has more of the health giving nutrients as it has had to build up its defenses against the scab or knock when it was growing, if that is any comfort.
Your tree looks so healthy in the photo, I'm sure that you are likely to improve things with Dove's advice.
Euthanasia NO, it is only a few leaves.dont panic, I have a pear in a pot that has bad "rust" this year, but its only a couple of years old, I have found in the past "threatening" does wonders, wr had an azalea hadnt flowered for years and years, just about the bin it, it flowered, the most gorgeous smell.
Hi Fiona, I do like the idea that fruit that has had some mishaps is better for you!
I think the tree looks a bit better in the photo than in real life because you can't see properly the black spots, holes and discolouration of the affected leaves. However, overall it does look all right but I do worry that whatever has attacked it it's going to spread....
Yes, as you say, Dove's advice is positively heartening.
Posts
Thank you, Dove, again. I've read the piece you've supplied and feel not so happy as this looks a seriously persistent trouble and I never spray anything in my garden. If things succumb and don't stand a chance, I usually throw them out. BUT I want to save my tree!
Obviously I can't isolate the tree but I'm wondering if mulching with my own compost adds to the problems caused by loose-in-the-environment fungi? I really don't know what to thing!
"thing"!!!!!!!!
I don't spray either ... I would ensure that all fallen leaves are cleared up and burned ... as I said clear the soil beneath the tree and mulch in the autumn and again in the spring ... I would use well-rotted farmyard manure ... just don't let it touch the trunk.
Mulching over the area around the tree will cover any of the spores that may be on the ground and prevent them getting onto the new leaves next spring.
Don't panic ... few trees are without some sort of something ... all we can do is try to limit the problems ... no such thing as perfect
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
Thanks, Dove, for all your kind advice. I have to think about manure, which I have never used thus far.
AND I will try not to panic!
You can get well-rotted manure in bags from the garden centre ... It's really not unpleasant stuff and it's so good for the soil and for your plants.
An alternative is what the GCs label soil conditioner, which is usually composted bark ...good stuff but not as good as manure for your purpose.
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
Lots of fruit can be misshapen. Remember that the shops only accept the perfect shapes and sizes from the growers so we don't get to see weird shapes except in our own gardens.
If the spots only affect the skin, the fruit will be healthy to eat, just not pretty. I once read that slightly damaged/misshaped fruit has more of the health giving nutrients as it has had to build up its defenses against the scab or knock when it was growing, if that is any comfort.
Your tree looks so healthy in the photo, I'm sure that you are likely to improve things with Dove's advice.
Euthanasia NO, it is only a few leaves.dont panic, I have a pear in a pot that has bad "rust" this year, but its only a couple of years old, I have found in the past "threatening" does wonders, wr had an azalea hadnt flowered for years and years, just about the bin it, it flowered, the most gorgeous smell.
Hi Dove, thank you for the extra advice.
Last year, I used some mushroom compost (a lot!), which has helped but this year I will certainly try manure; just because you think so highly of it!
Hi Fiona, I do like the idea that fruit that has had some mishaps is better for you!
I think the tree looks a bit better in the photo than in real life because you can't see properly the black spots, holes and discolouration of the affected leaves. However, overall it does look all right but I do worry that whatever has attacked it it's going to spread....
Yes, as you say, Dove's advice is positively heartening.
Hi Nan, I do love your treatment of a sulking plant. I will imitate you!