Pear Trees - Ask Extension
Hello-
I have two pears trees approximately 5 years old each. I have tried to organically treat the pears with Neem Oil and other methods (putting...
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Pear Trees #864969
Asked April 18, 2024, 10:24 AM EDT
Hello-
I have two pears trees approximately 5 years old each. I have tried to organically treat the pears with Neem Oil and other methods (putting baggies around the fruit) but each year the fruit either gets black or has bugs and the majority is inedible.
The trees are two varieties to cross pollinate. Whom can I call and or how can I successfully produce edible pears?
Hennepin County Minnesota
Expert Response
Thank you for writing.
Is this what you are asking about?
https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/sooty_blotch_and_flyspeck_disease_of_apple_and_pear_the_newest_addition_to
Is this what you are asking about?
https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/sooty_blotch_and_flyspeck_disease_of_apple_and_pear_the_newest_addition_to
Yes, I am thinking that this is what happens. The pears get black and have bugs. I would like to treat the trees so that I can eat the pears.
Please advise.
Thank you-
Rosie
Thank you for writing back.
If this is sooty blotch, pesticides will not be useful. It is caused by a fungus. It affects fruit appearance and can be rubbed off, https://extension.umn.edu/plant-diseases/sooty-blotch-and-flyspeck#:~:text=Flyspeck%20and%20sooty%20blotch%20are,surface%2C%20resulting%20in%20minor%20blemishes.
I would need a picture to better advise you.
Alternatively, early in the season, you submit a specimen to the plant disease clinic. https://pdc.umn.edu/
If this is sooty blotch, pesticides will not be useful. It is caused by a fungus. It affects fruit appearance and can be rubbed off, https://extension.umn.edu/plant-diseases/sooty-blotch-and-flyspeck#:~:text=Flyspeck%20and%20sooty%20blotch%20are,surface%2C%20resulting%20in%20minor%20blemishes.
I would need a picture to better advise you.
Alternatively, early in the season, you submit a specimen to the plant disease clinic. https://pdc.umn.edu/
How do I send a speciman?
Rosie
Thank you for writing back.
The details for submitting a speciment can be found at the website I sent you. https://pdc.umn.edu/
The details for submitting a speciment can be found at the website I sent you. https://pdc.umn.edu/
Bachman's said that the trees need to be sprayed asap and 10 days later and once again if not too hot with a product called Orchard Spray - Bonide-Captain Jack's. Your thoughts?
Thank you-
Rosie
Thank you for writing back.
Pyrethrin is in Bonide. It is highly toxic to pollinators. chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/http://npic.orst.edu/factsheets/pyrethrins.pdf
As noted earlier, without a picture, I cannot diagnose but am inclined to think this is sooty blotch which is fungal not bacterial.
Please review the earlier information that I sent about sooty blotch, submitting specimens.
Sooty blotch is treated with fungicides, not insecticides.
Here is an information on these treatments. https://netreefruit.org/pears/diseases/sooty-blotch-flyspeck
Truly, I do not have enough information to advise you.
Pyrethrin is in Bonide. It is highly toxic to pollinators. chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/http://npic.orst.edu/factsheets/pyrethrins.pdf
As noted earlier, without a picture, I cannot diagnose but am inclined to think this is sooty blotch which is fungal not bacterial.
Please review the earlier information that I sent about sooty blotch, submitting specimens.
Sooty blotch is treated with fungicides, not insecticides.
Here is an information on these treatments. https://netreefruit.org/pears/diseases/sooty-blotch-flyspeck
Truly, I do not have enough information to advise you.
