Problems with my apple espalier - Ask Extension
I lost one apple espalier to fungal disease in 2022 (your reference to that tree #0068900). I replaced the tree in Spring 2023 and have been following...
Knowledgebase
Problems with my apple espalier #871240
Asked June 03, 2024, 8:58 AM EDT
I lost one apple espalier to fungal disease in 2022 (your reference to that tree #0068900). I replaced the tree in Spring 2023 and have been following the VA Tech Spray Schedule that you recommended. About 2 weeks ago, I noticed curling and browning of new leaves. The brown has spread to the fruit. One week ago I applied Captan and Immunex as per the VA Tech schedule. The white dust you see on my photos is Captain Jack's (Bonide) Insect Dust - I applied this 6/02/2024 as prophylaxis (I did not actually see any insects).
Baltimore County Maryland
Expert Response
Hi- we don't see foliar leaf disease symptoms in the photos. The browning is most likely the result of some type of burn (phytotoxicity), possibly from pesticide applications. Captan, in particular, can burn young apple leaves that have not yet formed a waxy cuticle. (Note: never apply Captan with or immediately after an application of horticultural oil or dormant oil.)
Any browning or curling that happened before the first application could have been caused by aphids or one or more environmental factors like , low soil moisture, low temperature bud damage, and excess fertilizer salts. Also, sometimes when trees go into the fall dormant period weakened they don't have sufficient food reserves to sustain all of the new spring growth resulting in leaves turning brown and dying.
Follow all label instructions when applying pesticides.
Jon
Any browning or curling that happened before the first application could have been caused by aphids or one or more environmental factors like , low soil moisture, low temperature bud damage, and excess fertilizer salts. Also, sometimes when trees go into the fall dormant period weakened they don't have sufficient food reserves to sustain all of the new spring growth resulting in leaves turning brown and dying.
Follow all label instructions when applying pesticides.
Jon