My pyracantha has got scab. Should I cut it back now? If so, do I prune it
back completely (the scab is all over the plant)?

Thanks.

You may have to live with your Pyracantha scab .. or at least live with a
damage limitation regime. I don't like to spray mine as I grow it as much
for wildlife as for a security barrier. Also, my hedge is so extensive that
the costs would be prohibitive.
Pyracantha will grow back from a very severe lopping. However, I wouldn't
recommend extensive pruning before spring, as the soft new growth will be
damaged by frost. Try some light cosmetic pruning if you really can't live
with the appearance. Certainly, it would do no harm to remove any really
blackened berries just now .. the birds are unlikely to be interested in
them.
I have learned to limit the feeding of my Pyracanths: I only use a general
fertiliser every second or third year. Richer feeding only promotes young,
vulnerable growths.
To limit the scab problem, I prune to 'open up' the hedge (without making it
gappy) so that there is better airflow. I also collect dead leaves and
other debris from beneath the hedge and mulch thickly so that fungal spores
are barred from reinfecting.
My regime will never get rid of the scab, but the control is so effective
that my neighbours say 'it has never looked healthier'. The multi-coloured
berry tapestry certainly produces the 'wow' factor in passers-by.
If you have only one Pyracantha, you may still wish to spray. Pyracantha is
rosaceous, so you could try a rose fungal treatment. P'cantha scab is also
similar to the scab on apple trees, so a fruit tree fungal spray may be an
alternative.
Hope this helps.
Spider
Janice wrote in message
...
My pyracantha has got scab. Should I cut it back now? If so, do I prune
it
back completely (the scab is all over the plant)?

Thanks.

"Spider" wrote in message
...
You may have to live with your Pyracantha scab .. or at least live with a
damage limitation regime. I don't like to spray mine as I grow it as much
for wildlife as for a security barrier. Also, my hedge is so extensive
that
the costs would be prohibitive.

Spider, many thanks for your informative reply. I'll give it a bit of a
prune now and see how it goes on, and then perhaps give it another prune
and/or spray in spring.

Thanks again.