Mold on apples
Last year allthe apples had black web like designs and stunk like mold and mildew.This year the odor is starting again.From what I heard it might be black mold.I don't know if its that.What can I do to this tree to get good golden delicious apples?
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(post #12713, reply #1 of 7)
It sounds as if you might have a problem with apple scab. Makes for nasty wormy apples. I think what you may need is Sulfur Guard. It may be too late for this years crop of apples, if you already have blossoms.
Take a look at this website for information and solutions:
www.gardensalive.com
I think these people will consult with you on the phone, check the website for that too.
New Mexico home organic gardener
Adopt the pace of nature; her secret is patience. Emerson
Edited 5/31/2008 4:20 pm by Astrid
Edited 5/31/2008 4:21 pm by Astrid
Edited 5/31/2008 4:23 pm by Astrid
(post #12713, reply #2 of 7)
Where in the world are you?
If in the US of A have you talked with your state university USDA Cooperative Extension Service people about this problem and what to do about it?
West central Michigan along the lake shore
A sign of a good gardener is not a green thumb, rather it is brown knees.
West central Michigan along the lake shore
A sign of a good gardener is not a green thumb, rather it is brown knees.
(post #12713, reply #3 of 7)
I assume you are not talking about a problem with the fruit after it has been in cold storeage for some time. If you are the problem is probably blue mold and needs clean fruit and proper cold temerature storeage.
I researched my compendium of apple diseases and do not find refferance to "black mold".
What you are discribing sounds like the combination of "sooty blotch" and "fly speck" they are summer fungus diseases of apples. Non-spray reccomendation is for good air circulation thru the tree so that early morning dew will not linger. To do this prune the trees, using proper pruning procedure, such that when you lay on your back under the tree you can see the sun up thru the leaves.
Chemical treatment is use of the same sprays as for apple scab (such as Captan),but do so in the summer after fruit is growing.
If this is the disease you have, and don't want to spray, it can be cleaned off after harvest with an apple washer or in smaller harvests by hand with a soft potato brush. This is a more noticeable problem on yellow varities than on red ones where it is obsecured.
(post #12713, reply #4 of 7)
I was researching more.And it sounds like that.A fungus.Can you prune a tree now or I have to wait until winter?I will get that capsan and try it.Thanks for all the help.
(post #12713, reply #5 of 7)
You really don't want to do major limb removal this time of year. But you can get to the inside of the tree and remove "water shoots" verticle growing new growth now. Cut them tight to the origin branch or better still take firm lold of them and just jerk-tear them away- tearing helps discourage regrowth.
Then in the late winter take out whole limbs. Don't just cut the ends back, as doing so just causes more dense shoot growth at the ends.
The fungacide is Captan you may not be able to get it for home use -It needs to be applied now for "Sooty Blotch". That can also be used for Apple Scab but must be applied 4 times just after bloom for that.
If tou are dealing with "Sooty Blotch" on harvested fruit this year you can scrub them with a dilute solution of household (chlorine) bleach to help clean them up.
(post #12713, reply #6 of 7)
thank you very much!For all your help.
(post #12713, reply #7 of 7)
Gardens Alive solutions are more natural, safer for your use and safer for the environment.
New Mexico home organic gardener
Adopt the pace of nature; her secret is patience. Emerson