I have used derris liquid in a spray bottle up until last year when the last of it ran out. I tried to buy some this year but apparently derris is now illegal (even though it is organic, which is why i used it). The alternative spray i used didn't work as this year all the plums have the little worms in. Does anyone know of a replacement for derris that would do the same job?
Just one other thing - when i sprayed with derris you could see the little flies take off from the branches. With the alternative, i didn't see the same thing happen.
I still have Derris Powder and for the same reason as Peter W because it is organic. Reading the literature on the boxes of sprays etc. in the garden centres, it doesn't sound too good. When you are unable to eat the fruit for a certain period of time, that doesn't sound healthy.
I have my plums ripening now, some have fallen prone to maggots. It was obvious as they were overly ripe on the tree and white residue was forming round the holes. This has made me conscious about the rest of them so I pulled a few 'good' looking ones off the tree that were purple and soft. I left these for a few days to ripen further and cut two open today. Both had white worms in them just having a great time.
My question is, is it safe to eat them and make wine with them if I just wash away the worm and some of the bad bits inside?
There was a red spotty residue inside the plum, wasn't sure if this was due to the worm?
I only have a small tree and the bloody moths seem to have had a field day! I've been trimming out the contaminated bits and eating the rest. I'm not worried and I haven't died yet!
So I ate most of the badly affected fruit last year by digging out the worms and cleaning the brown area out. Not ideal but the fruit tasted fine. I also used the affected fruit to make wine which turned out very drinkable!
Just an update on the issue of plum fruit moth. This year I have decided to spray the tree now, just as the flowers have diminished and it has started fruiting into small green fruit buds. Now is the time of year to do it - only I hope I haven't left it a week too late.
Unfortunately in my haste, I used a rose plant pesticide (think it was called Rose Clear). Not ideal I know, but I am not planning to use it again.
Should the fruit still be alright to eat later in the year?
I planted a Victoria plum 4 years ago and it's taken all that time to crop, I've had odd ones in previous years but not much blossom until this year. However 90% have the dreaded worm, I think mine is the sawfly type as it's white with a brown head... I'm debating now whether to cut my losses and take the tree down as it's not a very attractive tree and my garden isn't that big. Shame because I really like the plums but not the hassle.
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I have used derris liquid in a spray bottle up until last year when the last of it ran out. I tried to buy some this year but apparently derris is now illegal (even though it is organic, which is why i used it). The alternative spray i used didn't work as this year all the plums have the little worms in. Does anyone know of a replacement for derris that would do the same job?
Just one other thing - when i sprayed with derris you could see the little flies take off from the branches. With the alternative, i didn't see the same thing happen.
I am using traps but would like to spray as well. what should I spray with?.
Info about the use of pheromone traps here https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?pid=554
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
I still have Derris Powder and for the same reason as Peter W because it is organic. Reading the literature on the boxes of sprays etc. in the garden centres, it doesn't sound too good. When you are unable to eat the fruit for a certain period of time, that doesn't sound healthy.
Anyone any organic suggestions?
I have my plums ripening now, some have fallen prone to maggots. It was obvious as they were overly ripe on the tree and white residue was forming round the holes. This has made me conscious about the rest of them so I pulled a few 'good' looking ones off the tree that were purple and soft. I left these for a few days to ripen further and cut two open today. Both had white worms in them just having a great time.
My question is, is it safe to eat them and make wine with them if I just wash away the worm and some of the bad bits inside?
There was a red spotty residue inside the plum, wasn't sure if this was due to the worm?
I only have a small tree and the bloody moths seem to have had a field day! I've been trimming out the contaminated bits and eating the rest. I'm not worried and I haven't died yet!
Pheromone trap for me next year!
It's what I do and it's never done me any harm
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
Thanks, so no one has experienced bad wine from using crop cleaned of the worms / maggots?
So I ate most of the badly affected fruit last year by digging out the worms and cleaning the brown area out. Not ideal but the fruit tasted fine. I also used the affected fruit to make wine which turned out very drinkable!
Just an update on the issue of plum fruit moth. This year I have decided to spray the tree now, just as the flowers have diminished and it has started fruiting into small green fruit buds. Now is the time of year to do it - only I hope I haven't left it a week too late.
Unfortunately in my haste, I used a rose plant pesticide (think it was called Rose Clear). Not ideal I know, but I am not planning to use it again.
Should the fruit still be alright to eat later in the year?
I planted a Victoria plum 4 years ago and it's taken all that time to crop, I've had odd ones in previous years but not much blossom until this year. However 90% have the dreaded worm, I think mine is the sawfly type as it's white with a brown head... I'm debating now whether to cut my losses and take the tree down as it's not a very attractive tree and my garden isn't that big. Shame because I really like the plums but not the hassle.