Fungal
Brown Rot
A fungal disease that causes rapid rotting of fruit on the tree, producing distinctive concentric rings of powdery buff-coloured spore pustules.
Symptoms to Look For
- Soft brown rotting patches on ripe or near-ripe fruit, spreading rapidly
- Concentric rings of buff or cream spore pustules on the rotted surface
- Mummified fruits hanging on the tree through winter
Affected Plants
ApplePearPlumCherryPeachNectarineQuince
Organic Solutions
Remove infected fruit
Pick off and destroy all rotting fruit on the tree and from the ground immediately - never leave mummies on branches over winter.
Improve air circulation
Prune trees to an open structure to reduce humidity in the canopy and speed leaf drying after rain.
Prevention
- Thin fruits in June to prevent touching pairs that trap moisture and allow fungal entry
- Control codling moth and other fruit-piercing pests as wounds are the primary entry point
- Remove and hot-compost all mummified fruits and fallen leaves during winter
Garden, by Willowbottom recommends only organic, wildlife-friendly solutions. No synthetic pesticides, no harmful chemicals - ever.