1. IMPORTANT - NEW & EXISTING MEMBERS

    E-MAIL SERVER ISSUES

    We are currently experiencing issues with our outgoing email server, therefore EXISTING members will not be getting any alert emails, and NEW/PROSPECTIVE members will not receive the email they need to confirm their account. This matter has been escalated, however the technician responsible is currently on annual leave.For assistance, in the first instance, please PM any/all of the admin team (if you can), alternatively please send an email to:

    [email protected]

    We will endeavour to help as quickly as we can.
    Dismiss Notice

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

    Joined:
    May 5, 2012
    Messages:
    26,476
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Public Transport
    Location:
    At me 'puter, GCHQ Ashford Office, Middlesex
    Ratings:
    +49,622
    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
    #1 Quote in Conversation
  2. Fat Controller

    Fat Controller 'Cuddly' Scottish Admin! Staff Member

    Joined:
    May 5, 2012
    Messages:
    26,476
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Public Transport
    Location:
    At me 'puter, GCHQ Ashford Office, Middlesex
    Ratings:
    +49,622
    Fat Controller, Mar 28, 2019
    #2 Quote in Conversation
  3. Verdun

    Verdun Passionate gardener

    Joined:
    Oct 16, 2012
    Messages:
    7,475
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    West Cornwall
    Ratings:
    +17,487
    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 :)
     
    • Like Like x 1
    • Agree Agree x 1
      Verdun, Mar 28, 2019
      #3 Quote in Conversation
    • noisette47

      noisette47 Total Gardener

      Joined:
      Jan 25, 2013
      Messages:
      5,965
      Gender:
      Female
      Location:
      Lot-et-Garonne, Aquitaine
      Ratings:
      +14,402
      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:
       
      • Like Like x 1
        noisette47, Mar 28, 2019
        #4 Quote in Conversation
      • Veggrower

        Veggrower Apprentice Gardener

        Joined:
        Mar 10, 2022
        Messages:
        10
        Gender:
        Male
        Location:
        Gloucestershire
        Ratings:
        +13

        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
        #5 Quote in Conversation
      • Fat Controller

        Fat Controller 'Cuddly' Scottish Admin! Staff Member

        Joined:
        May 5, 2012
        Messages:
        26,476
        Gender:
        Male
        Occupation:
        Public Transport
        Location:
        At me 'puter, GCHQ Ashford Office, Middlesex
        Ratings:
        +49,622
        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
        #6 Quote in Conversation
      • Veggrower

        Veggrower Apprentice Gardener

        Joined:
        Mar 10, 2022
        Messages:
        10
        Gender:
        Male
        Location:
        Gloucestershire
        Ratings:
        +13
        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.
         
        • Like Like x 1
          Veggrower, Mar 10, 2022
          #7 Quote in Conversation
        • pete

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

          Joined:
          Jan 9, 2005
          Messages:
          48,254
          Gender:
          Male
          Occupation:
          Retired
          Location:
          Mid Kent
          Ratings:
          +86,076
          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
          #8 Quote in Conversation
        • Veggrower

          Veggrower Apprentice Gardener

          Joined:
          Mar 10, 2022
          Messages:
          10
          Gender:
          Male
          Location:
          Gloucestershire
          Ratings:
          +13
          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
          #9 Quote in Conversation
        • pete

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

          Joined:
          Jan 9, 2005
          Messages:
          48,254
          Gender:
          Male
          Occupation:
          Retired
          Location:
          Mid Kent
          Ratings:
          +86,076
          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.
           
          • Like Like x 1
            pete, Mar 10, 2022
            #10 Quote in Conversation
          • Jocko

            Jocko Guided by my better half.

            Joined:
            Jan 2, 2022
            Messages:
            2,417
            Gender:
            Male
            Occupation:
            Retired engineer. Now Vice CEO of the garden.
            Location:
            Danderhall on southern edge of Edinburgh. Zone 8a.
            Ratings:
            +6,780
            When I first saw the title of this thread the first thought that crossed my mind was a good quality truss.
             
            • Funny Funny x 2
              Jocko, Mar 10, 2022
              #11 Quote in Conversation
            Loading...
            Similar Threads - need help plums
            1. Javidr

              Issues in some plants - help needed

              Javidr, Mar 18, 2024, in forum: Gardening Discussions
              Replies:
              24
              Views:
              865
              fairygirl
              Mar 27, 2024
            2. Victoria

              Bamboo needs help ...

              Victoria, Mar 17, 2024, in forum: Tropical Gardening
              Replies:
              5
              Views:
              301
              Victoria
              Mar 21, 2024
            3. Ben Reese

              Help needed: Clay bed for wildflowers

              Ben Reese, Feb 22, 2024, in forum: Herbs and Wildflowers
              Replies:
              6
              Views:
              507
              Logan
              Feb 25, 2024
            4. grooster

              Help and advice needed with a lawn please

              grooster, Feb 5, 2024, in forum: Lawns
              Replies:
              6
              Views:
              621
              NigelJ
              Feb 7, 2024
            5. dowtish

              Help needed - Bee balm, Wild Bergamot, Monarda

              dowtish, May 13, 2023, in forum: Herbs and Wildflowers
              Replies:
              3
              Views:
              1,039
              dowtish
              Jul 9, 2023

            Share This Page

            1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
              By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
              Accept Learn More...
              Dismiss Notice