Passata problems, fruit tree issues and how to cover a fence
Your questions answered
This week I’m trying something different. I’m sharing a few of the questions that I’ve recently been asked by my readers.
Do you have a question you’d like answered? Check out these guidelines to find out the best way to ask.
Problematic passata
Beth from Panton Hill recently contacted me asking what had gone wrong with her passata.
Beth is spot on with her diagnosis. The water bath temperature was too high and it has caused a lot of the passata to be forced out of the bottle. Sometimes I get distracted when bottling fruit and have the same thing happen. When water bathing produce, the water needs to be at a very gentle simmer, not a rolling boil.
Read more about making passata here.
What’s that stuff oozing out of my fruit tree trunk?
“I’ve recently noticed large lumps of shiny sap-like stuff on the branches of my Trevatt apricot tree. The tree is about five years old and I got a good crop from it this year for the first time. What’s going on? I’m in Wangaratta. Thanks, Theo”
Gummosis presents mainly in stone fruit trees. The characteristic symptom of gummosis is oozing sap (or gum). It is usually caused by a bacterial disease but can also be associated with physical damage to the tree. Accidental whipper snipping, snapped branches and borers can all damage the tree and lead to oozing sap.
Once a tree has gummosis caused by a bacterial infection there’s not much you can do about it. The tree may survive, but ultimately the infection will reduce the lifespan of the tree. Fungicides will have zero effect on this disease (because it is a bacterial disease) Prevention is better than cure.
Focus on good hygiene, and use methylated spirits diluted with water (30mL of water added to 70mL of metho) to sterilise your pruning tools. Prune susceptible trees only when conditions are optimal and at the right time of the year. Most importantly, plant the tree in a good spot in the first place, where it has great airflow and minimal chance of damage to the branches. Give your fruit trees room to grow, particularly susceptible ones such as apricots.
Find out more about how you can plant the right tree in the right spot at my upcoming backyard orchards workshop on June 15.
Help, my tree has a plumming problem
Diane in Malvern East recently contacted me about her plum trees, one of which is struggling. She wants advice about what she should do about it.
Firstly, the orange orb is the fruiting body of a fungi. I couldn’t tell you which fungi exactly but it’s likely to be parasitic and lead to the death of the tree. Essentially it is rotting the tree from the inside out. You could treat it with an antifungal and it may delay the inevitable, but I don’ think the tree can be cured. Given it is not very productive anyway, I’d look to remove the tree. My advice about preventing gummosis (good hygiene and airflow) is also applicable: these factors are essential to preventing fungal infestations.
With regards to the remaining Mariposa, I don’t normally overthink pollination in suburban settings. Usually there’s another plum tree nearby that the bees will visit, and they will transfer pollen between the trees. Wait and see what happens to the pollination after the Santa Rosa is removed. If fruit set suddenly becomes poor, then consider bringing in a cross pollinator or grafting another variety onto the existing Mariposa tree. Only worry about fixing a problem once it has eventuated.
Find out more about pollination and how to graft extra varieties onto your existing fruit trees in my upcoming workshop on May 18.
Up, up and away: Screening options for fences
Priya recently asked me: “Can you suggest some climbing perennial food plants that will grow well in Kyneton's climate? I've got fences to cover. They're equipped with reo as trellises.”
There’s two groups of plants to consider here: deciduous and evergreen, each with their pros and cons.