Apple Scab

Garden Problems ,

Apple scab (aka Black spot) is a disease of apple trees and fruit.

Identify the problem
Symptoms of apple scab, caused by Venturia inaequalis, include circular black spots on leaves and fruits. On fruits the spots can coalesce resulting in cracks and rots. Infection and spread is favoured by wet and mild weather. A similar but different species, Venturia pirina causes black spot in pears.
How to solve the problem
1. Clear away leaf litter and dead material from under trees.
2. Apply PLANThealth Copper Fungicide in winter dormancy as part of your winter spray programme and at bud burst. Alternatively, begin applications when disease first appears, and repeat at 7 to 10 day intervals up to blossom drop.
3. Apply Organic Super Sulphur before blossom and before wet periods, pre-harvest.
4. Water in the early morning to give the leaves time to dry out before infection can occur.