I need help with my plums

Discussion in 'Trees' started by Fat Controller, Mar 28, 2019.

  1. Fat Controller

    Fat Controller 'Cuddly' Scottish Admin! Staff Member

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    Looking out into the garden this morning, I can see that my plum tree is awash with blossom (looks lovely), which will hopefully bode well for some fruit this year - but (isn't there always a but?) this tree has been in place for around five or six years now and whilst it has borne fruit in most of those years, we have never tasted a single fruit as every single year they are infested with some sort of bug.

    This year needs to be different - the future of the tree depends on it, as I am not going to dedicate such a large space to a tree that we are not getting any produce from, and if we don't have success this year it is DEFINITELY coming down whilst it still at a size that can be handled.

    What steps could/should I be taking to get fruit from this tree and give it a chance?
     
    Fat Controller, Mar 28, 2019
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  2. Fat Controller

    Fat Controller 'Cuddly' Scottish Admin! Staff Member

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    Fat Controller, Mar 28, 2019
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  3. Verdun

    Verdun Passionate gardener

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    The first pest that occurred to me was sawfly FC. If so, I would do as I do for gooseberry sawfly, viz., apply neem oil. I know the sawfly is different but neem oil was very effective to such an extent that I no longer need to use it. I would not use neem oil at this stage though.
    Breaking the cycle of overwintering sawfly is important....a spray in autumn then a thick mulch followed by a spray in early spring ideally before the blossom. :)

    However FC, I am more inclined to suspect plum maggots ....I think there is a trap you can hang on the trees to stop the plum moth in its tracks. It would be effective at this time of the year.

    So, if the tree was mine I would concentrate on the plum maggots right now. In the autumn you can treat your tree with neem oil to deal with sawfly if the problem persisted :)
     
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      Verdun, Mar 28, 2019
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    • noisette47

      noisette47 Total Gardener

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      I have used pheromone traps in the orchard for about 30 years. They help to control numbers of pesky moths, but, at least here, they don't eradicate the problem completely. You need to get them in the trees fairly early, IME earlier than they state on the packaging. Then it is important to remember to change the pheromone capsule after a few weeks. It's the only form of control available now...all and any effective sprays have been withdrawn from sale to the general public :dunno:
       
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        noisette47, Mar 28, 2019
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      • Veggrower

        Veggrower Apprentice Gardener

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        I have this problem too. My pear trees are just about to flower and the plum trees won't be far behind. I've heard that you can buy a spray or even make your own but I can't find any for sale?
         
        Veggrower, Mar 10, 2022
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      • Fat Controller

        Fat Controller 'Cuddly' Scottish Admin! Staff Member

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        I didn't have much luck either - a lot of the sprays that were available are no longer (rightly, I think) because they contained neonicotinoids. I am going to try the traps that hang on the tree again this year and see where I end up.
         
        Fat Controller, Mar 10, 2022
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      • Veggrower

        Veggrower Apprentice Gardener

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        No I don't want to use chemical sprays either, I was hoping for an organic spray? I'll have a look at those pheromone traps you mention.
         
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          Veggrower, Mar 10, 2022
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        • pete

          pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

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          I think without a definite ID of the pest something like a pheromone trap may not work, being as they only target the one specific pest.
           
          pete, Mar 10, 2022
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        • Veggrower

          Veggrower Apprentice Gardener

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          It's a small white maggot in the middle of the plum. There's usually a small hole in the plum too. I should have taken a photo of it last year I guess.
           
          Veggrower, Mar 10, 2022
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        • pete

          pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

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          Yeah not saying I would know what that pest is, just saying you need a definite ID before you can try any of the controls that are not chemical.
           
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            pete, Mar 10, 2022
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          • Jocko

            Jocko Guided by my better half.

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            When I first saw the title of this thread the first thought that crossed my mind was a good quality truss.
             
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              Jocko, Mar 10, 2022
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