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This is an on going problem I have every yr with my Victoria Plum which is attacked every spring when the blossom is out

galest

By Galest

Hungary

This is an on going problem I have every yr with my Victoria Plum which is attacked every spring when the tree is in flower When the blossom falls something has attacked the plums and left a tiny maggot in around 95% of the fruit. I spray with Winter wash every winter and put up a plum moth trap (which I think is a waste of time but anythings worth a try). What ever it is it never bothers with the other Plum varieties only my favoutite the V plum which is now 8yrs old.


On plant Victoria Plum


Answers

 

Sounds like Plum sawfly rather than plum moth, and Victoria is especially susceptible to this problem. As its such a problem, spraying 7 to 10 days after petal fall with (I don't know what you can get there, these are UK products) deltamethrin or lambda sprays (these are the active ingredients, not the name of the sprays). If its possible, remove all affected fruitlets now - the larvae eventually leave and go into the soil where they overwinter, and will cause you the same problem next year. Obviously, your crop is ruined for this year, but see what sprays you can locate to be prepared for next year's flowering.

30 Apr, 2014

 

I did wonder if it was Plum sawfly and I really dont know why I went off the idea. Last yr (Winter 2012) I sprayed with Winter wash and only a few plums were effected and I picked those off and had the best crop ever in the summer 2013 so I did exactly the same (winter2013) but a total disaster as 95% of the fruit ruined. I will probably get something sent out from the UK as its difficult here as hardly anyone speaks English and all the chemicals are locked up in cabinets. I dont think they wld appreciate everything being taken out so I can look for the ones with those ingredients.
Thanks for yr help and fingers crossed for next yrs crop.

4 May, 2014

How do I say thanks?

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