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Potted pear problem

millskimillski Posts: 5
in Plants
I have a potted pear tree on my patio, which is about 4ft tall. It has started developing brown speckles on its leaves. Does anyone know what this is? Incidentally, it currently sits alongside my fig, which has also developed some brown patches & I'm wondering if this might be related or just a coincidence.

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  • millskimillski Posts: 5
    In addition, some of the leaves are starting to go crinkly. I’m adding a few more pics here of the problem. 
  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    That's pears for you! :)
    Mine also get similar random problems on the leaves.
    It's usually a fungal problem (the black marks on the last pic) and the others may have a touch of blister mites.
    One of my pear cordons looks dreadful due to blister mites this year. 75% of the leaves are severely damaged.
    Neither the fungal problem nor the blister mite problem is treatable with OTC remedies but is unlikely to cause any damage to your tree so try not to be concerned.
    Any fruit will be fine to eat.

    Copper-based fungicides would treat both problems but are banned in the UK.
    If you want to make your own, then google Bordeaux Mixture - it's just slaked lime and copper sulphate mixed in water and sprayed on ONLY in November and early Spring just before flowers begin to open.

    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • millskimillski Posts: 5
    Thanks for the advice. I think it definitely had blister mite last year, I just pinched off the affected leaves. This year the leaves sprouted all lovely & healthy looking but after flowering it’s happened again. And now a potential fungal problem to boot 😩.
  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    edited July 2023
    Of my 4 cordons 1 is in perfect health, one has a serious blister mite infection and the other 2 have pear midge and so have no fruits at all on them.
    Never had such problems with them before.

    I'm not too bothered  about the blister mites or the fungal infection, but I'll need to break the cycle with the pear midge or there will be no more pears and it will spread to the other 2.
    I've not used Bordeaux Mixture since I was a child, but I think I'm going to make some and give them a spray in Nov and again just before the flower buds begin to open and hope that clears it.
    Will also use a pyrethrum spray for the midges and hope for healthier trees next year.

    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
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