deformed but tasty pears - Ask Extension
Hi A have a pear question. We planted a pear tree at our lake property in Michigan three years ago and last year had our first harvest of 6 beautiful...
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deformed but tasty pears #484475
Asked September 12, 2018, 3:16 PM EDT
Hi
A have a pear question. We planted a pear tree at our lake property in Michigan three years ago and last year had our first harvest of 6 beautiful pears. This year the harvest has increased to over 2 dozen and while the pears are delicious, they look ugly ( picture attached). I suspect some bug or fungus is responsible..how can we make the pears beautiful again? Spraying?
Thanks
Cook County Illinois
Expert Response
The distortion is due to insect damage...probably stink bug, plum curculio, and perhaps a surface feeder such as oblique banded leaf roller. A general insecticide program starting when the fruit is about 3/4 inch in diameter until mid August will help to reduce insect damage. 1 spray will not do much. 3 to 4 sprays spread over that period will help quite a bit.
The darkened color to the skin is due to sooty mold fungi, and perhaps pear psylla (an insect). This may be not worth spraying for. Pear scab, a fungal disease of leaves and fruit is also the targets for a spray program. Some of the orchard spray products also help to control this disease.
The darkened color to the skin is due to sooty mold fungi, and perhaps pear psylla (an insect). This may be not worth spraying for. Pear scab, a fungal disease of leaves and fruit is also the targets for a spray program. Some of the orchard spray products also help to control this disease.
