North American Fruit Explorers mailing list at ibiblio

[<dmnorton@royaloakfarmorchard.com>]

I know that Ashmeads's Kernel is moderately susceptible to scab, but I'm not sure about Pitsmaston Pineapple.  If you had scab last season and did not remove the overwintering leaves or any mummies from the ground, you will definitely get scab this season.  Have you used any sprays for scab this season?

 

Dennis Norton
Royal Oak Farm Orchard, Zone 5
http://www.royaloakfarmorchard.com
http://www.theorchardkeeper.blogspot.com
http://www.revivalhymn.com

----- Original Message -----

From: Doreen Howard

To: North American Fruit Explorers

Sent: Friday, May 30, 2008 4:32 PM

Subject: [NAFEX] Apple Scab

I've spent the last few days bagging apples and Asian pears.  Have gone through 500 bags, and I'm only half finished.  These trees are all on Bud 9 and under nine feet, but the fruit set this year has been heavy.

 

I have two russet apples, Ashmead's Kernel and Pitsmaston Pineapple.  The other six apple trees are either disease-resistant like Pixie Crunch or antique varieties with smooth skins.  I've noticed that both of the russets are very prone to apple scab, yet the other trees aren't.  Last season, the russets had major leaf damage from the scab and the few apples I didn't bag were riddled with scab.  As I bagged today, I'm already seeing signs of apple scab on the russet tree leaves.  None on the other apple trees, though.

 

Are russets genetically prone to the disease or is this coincidence?  BTW, after spending 15 years as a newspaper reporter and editor, I've learned that nothing is ever a coincidence.

Doreen Howard

IL-WI Border, Zone 4b