Nimzo:

Have you considered using a fungicide against brown rot? Orbit (aka Monterrey fungi fighter) is an effective, systemic brown rot preventative. I use it every season on peaches, or my losses in a humid summer would be very high.

In my case, one application about a month before final ripening is usually enough, but if you have a severe localized infection, an earlier application may be indicated as well. It sounds as if your problems extend not just to the fruit, but to the trees themselves.

I have grown pluots here, and they were extremely susceptible to brown rot. I currently grow the early ripening Tomcot variety, and the slightly later Puget Gold. These apricots seem to ripen early enough to avoid brown rot problems, and receive no Orbit sprays in a normal season.

Don Yellman, Great Falls, VA

Don:

Thanks for you suggestions, but the brown rot problem my trees have infects the blooms and, through them, the trees themselves. One day, the tree is covered with beautiful pink flowers. The next day, they are all dead-looking and brown. A large percentage of the branches are now dead and no fruit formed. If I could have sprayed fungicide in the springtime, maybe that would have helped, but it rains here in the spring. At this point, the trees have to come out. I will stay away from pluots in that area on your advice.

What about cherries?

Thanks,

Nimzo

Nimzo, that is called brown rot blossom blight. If you spray right before bloom you can easily nail that guy. It rains all the time in the spring here, just spray in a break in the rains. A dormant copper spray at pink can also help.

Scott

Scott:

1. Spray with what? Fungicide? And if so, what kind?

2. Are my trees shot? Or should I let them go another year? They are fully grown and there are leaves but a large number of branches have died back.0

3. Should I try to cut out the dead branches? And if I do, do I need to sterilize my shears after each cut?

Thanks,

Nimzo

1. The stuff Don mentions works great. If you are an organic grower use Saf-T-Side oil and Serenade.

2. After you spray the trees will come back.

3. If branches are completely dead you can cut them out; there is no need to sterilize.

I had this stuff horrible a few years ago, my trees were dripping with the brown rot goo. The trees recovered fine. If your trees still have good energy in them they will also recover.

Scott