Apple rust - Ask Extension
My single honey crisp tree produced a lot of apple this year. Unfortunately most apples had spots of what I think is a type of apple rust. The spots w...
Knowledgebase
Apple rust #775313
Asked October 13, 2021, 9:10 PM EDT
My single honey crisp tree produced a lot of apple this year. Unfortunately most apples had spots of what I think is a type of apple rust. The spots will wash off with water and a lot of surface rubbing.
Is there an easier way to remove the spots. Is the apple okay to eat after the spots are removed and what can I do to prevent it next years. My adjacent empire apple tree had no spots. Thank you.
Chittenden County Vermont
Expert Response
I believe this is a disorder common in Honeycrisp called bitter pit. It has been very widespread around the state this year. It has to do with water and calcium in the fruit. Here is more good info on this abiotic issue: https://fruitgrowersnews.com/article/reducing-risk-bitter-pit-honeycrisp-apples/
The fruit is fine to eat.
Ann Hazelrigg
Plant Pathologist
The fruit is fine to eat.
Ann Hazelrigg
Plant Pathologist
Thank you, would an application of Lime around the tree in the spring help?
In a message dated 10/14/2021 12:28:01 PM Eastern Standard Time, <personal data hidden> writes:
No, lime will not have any effect. I just spoke to our fruit specialist at UVM and he said you could apply calcium sprays every week. You can purchase these at AGWAY or other garden stores and it is typically marketed for blossom end rot in tomatoes which is also a calcium issue. Some years are worse than others depending on weather so next year may not be as bad..
Ann
Ann
Thanks Ann! Kathy
On 10/14/2021 12:27 PM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
