Saving Your Apple Harvest: treating Fruit Rot After Picking
Many gardeners face the frustrating problem of apples rotting before they’re fully ripe, often due to a fungal disease called moniliosis, or fruit rot. While preventing the spread is key, effective treatment focuses on post-harvest care.
Identifying Moniliosis:
The disease manifests as brown spots on the fruit, which expand and are eventually covered in small, light-colored spore dots. Leaves may also turn brown. The fungus spreads rapidly, impacting nearby fruits and branches. Apples, pears, apricots, plums, and quinces are all susceptible.
Immediate Action: Pruning & Disposal
The frist step in managing moniliosis is to remove infected branches and clear away fallen leaves beneath the tree. This prevents the disease from spreading further. Crucially, treatment of fruit while still on the tree is ineffective and renders the apples unsafe to eat.
If you’ve already harvested apples and find some are rotting, do not store them with healthy fruit. Dispose of rotten apples immediately - consume them right away or discard them.
Post-Harvest Treatment is Essential
Treatment should begin after the apple harvest. Once the leaves have fallen, spray the remaining tree with a fungicide specifically formulated for moniliosis. Popular options include Phytosporin, Horus, and Topsin M. Always follow the instructions on the product label for proper submission.
Natural Alternatives:
For gardeners seeking alternatives to chemical fungicides,solutions of 3% bordeaux liquid or 1% copper sulphate can be effective in controlling the spread of the disease.
Strengthening the Tree for Recovery:
Combine disease control with autumn fertilization to help the tree regain its strength before spring. Applying superphosphate, potassium salt, or homemade humus to the soil around the roots will provide essential nutrients.
This approach - pruning, proper disposal, post-harvest fungicide application, and fertilization – is the most effective way to combat fruit rot and protect your apple trees for future harvests.
