Plant Doctor Archive

Bladder plum disease

I have a Sultan plum (2 years old, commercially bought, grafted onto dwarf root stock) that is suffering from bladder plum. What causes this and is there a cure other than slash and burn?

Bladder plum is a fungus disease similar to peach leaf curl. It over-winters in leaf and flower buds. When favourable conditions are prevalent, such as cool wet weather in spring, the fungus multiplies. It is spread by rain splash. The fruit becomes spongy and hollow.

Remove diseased material and infected fruit and burn or throw out in the rubbish — do not place in the compost bin as this will spread the disease. Spray with Copper Oxychloride or Champion Copper when buds start to swell and then at 14 day intervals.

Advice by Dr Dan Blanchon from Unitec's Diploma in Sustainable Horticulture and Bachelor of Resource Management.

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