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Plum Tree - Peach Leaf Curl?

bobloesbobloes Posts: 134
in Fruit & veg
Hi All

I planted a pum tree about five years ago and although it looks OK I have never had a single plum from it.  Every spring it produces a good amount of blossom but in a very short time, say two weeks the leaves shrivel and curl.  By this time of year the curled leaves are still on the branches but new leaf grwoth has occurred which is normal, ie does not curl. 
I have been patient but I think it is for the knackers yard unless some one can suggest something.  Picture attached
Thanks

Bob

Posts

  • BorderlineBorderline Posts: 4,700
    Looking at the old leaves, it could be aphid damage. Can be a problem from late spring onwards. Check next year. Sometimes, they are hidden on the backs of leaves.
  • BobTheGardenerBobTheGardener Posts: 11,385
    That looks like typical aphid damage, which would have happened when the leaves were young.  Predators such as ladybirds then arrive and clear the aphids so later growing new leaves are unaffected.  All you can really do is keep an eye out for aphids on fresh growth and remove them when seen.  The lack of fruit may mean that a pollination partner is needed but 5 years is still fairly young for a plum and the unusual weather over the last year has not been ideal for some fruit trees - my older plums have a low but reasonable set of fruit but a younger one which set fruit last year has none this year.
    A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
  • bobloesbobloes Posts: 134
    Damn - gardening requires patience and is a looooooooooooooooong term pastime.  No wonder so many civilisations died out!!!!  I shall give it another year.  Repeat!!
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