Hi there.

I live in Southeastern Massachusetts and have several fruit trees; most
of them are 3-4 years old.

My dwarf plum tree really came to life this year (year 4) and had a
tremendous showing of fruit -- too much actually, I will prune next year.

The problem is that 95% of the fruit ended up getting moldy before it
ripened. I've tried google groups to see if there's a simple answer,
but couldn't find one.

I doubt this is normal, but I am at a loss as to what to do to try and
prevent this problem next year.

Can someone point me in the right direction?

Thanks!
-- Mike

Hi Mike,
Are you spraying with any fungicides? I had a lot of surface mold like
damage
on my Stanley Plum this year, which I attribute to the periods of
intermittent damp
and cold weather here in the Midwest. The fruit was still edible. Any signs
of
problems on the leaves or branches? Check out the following site for more
clues:
http://ppvbooklet.cas.psu.edu/

Hope this helps,

Sherwin D.

Sherwin D.

Mike Sousa wrote:

Hi there.

I live in Southeastern Massachusetts and have several fruit trees; most
of them are 3-4 years old.

My dwarf plum tree really came to life this year (year 4) and had a
tremendous showing of fruit -- too much actually, I will prune next year.

The problem is that 95% of the fruit ended up getting moldy before it
ripened. I've tried google groups to see if there's a simple answer,
but couldn't find one.

I doubt this is normal, but I am at a loss as to what to do to try and
prevent this problem next year.

Can someone point me in the right direction?

Thanks!
-- Mike

Mike Sousa wrote in message news:M4P_c.112230$9d6.110308@attbi_s54...
Hi there.

..

The problem is that 95% of the fruit ended up getting moldy before it
ripened. I've tried google groups to see if there's a simple answer,
but couldn't find one.


The most common disease of stone fruits is called brown rot.
So if you were to web search "plum brown rot" and pick from the .edu
sites you would get all the information you want.
Control begins with sanitation, every last one of those mummified
fruit have to be removed from the tree and the ground.

sherwindu wrote:
Hi Mike,
Are you spraying with any fungicides? I had a lot of surface mold like

They were treated in the spring -- though I admit, I'm not sure exactly
what was used. It's a 'dad' thing.

damage on my Stanley Plum this year, which I attribute to the periods of
intermittent damp
and cold weather here in the Midwest. The fruit was still edible. Any signs
of
problems on the leaves or branches?

Branches and leaves are fine. The tree is otherwise thriving.

Check out the following site for more clues:
http://ppvbooklet.cas.psu.edu/

Hope this helps,

Sherwin D.

Thanks, Sherwin. The link will be put to good use.

Beecrofter wrote:

The most common disease of stone fruits is called brown rot.
So if you were to web search "plum brown rot" and pick from the .edu
sites you would get all the information you want.
Control begins with sanitation, every last one of those mummified
fruit have to be removed from the tree and the ground.

Brown rot -- that's exactly what it has. I've cleaned out the tree and
grass surrounding the drip line. Learned some interesting stuff at:

http://www.nysaes.cornell.edu/pp/ext...bp/stone.shtml

including the fact that my peach tree has Peach Leaf Curl; and here I am
thinking that those colorful hard leaves are decorative. Heh.

Thanks for the info!

-- Mike