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Victoria plum tree problem

Last post 20-07-2009 9:10 AM by bogweevil. 3 replies.

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  • 19/07/2009 12:08 PM
    • Lynn
    • Bexleyheath Kent
    • 19 Jul 2009
    • 1
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    I have two pixie root, Victoria plum trees that are 4-5 years old. Recently I have noticed purple spots on the fruit which become a wound. The plum, if left on the tree rots - becoming a brown mush. There are no grubs in the fruit or black frass. Some of the wound sites have a clear coloured frass, similar to clear glue that has dried. Can you help?
  • 19/07/2009 02:17 PM
    In reply to
    • Clematis
    • Biggar
    • 30 Jun 2008
    • 25
    Top 200 Contributor
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    I also have a problem with my Victoria Plum - sorry can't help with your problem - min is that they're not flowering so I'm not getting any fruit these last 2 years and the tree is only 4 years old... I hope someone can help with your problem - I'll ask a friend who has an orchard.

    Clematis
  • 19/07/2009 05:49 PM
    In reply to
    • MIKE ALLEN
    • ELTHAM
    • 04 Apr 2007
    • 10
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    Lynn,

    This could be plum pox [SHARKA].  Not very common in Britain but more so on the continent.  I would advise you to chek out the details either in a good gardening book of pests and diseases.  Otherwise just type the words into your browser.  It used to be, might still be in fact, reportable to the Min of Agriculture.
  • 20/07/2009 09:10 AM
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    The clear glue is called gummosis: It is not uncommon for plums to exude a clear resin during dry summers or difficult growing conditions. It should not prevent the fruit from being eaten, though affected parts may need cutting out. To reduce its occurrence, feeding and mulching around the base of the tree is recommended. If the tree is growing in grass then I suggest you clear a 1-1.5m circle away around the tree. This should be mulched in the spring and kept weed and grass free. Suitable mulches include garden compost, leaf mould, well-rotted farmyard manure, composted bark and composted green waste. I enclose some information on feeding fruit.

     The rotting is probably brown rot, a fungal disease and there are few trees without some affected shoots and branches:

     

    Boggy

    Beware the bat-eared bogweevil