A bacteria called fire blight seems to be nailing Bradford
Pears and Loquats this spring. Fire
blight attacks plants in the Rosaceae family which include apples, plum,
cherries, hawthorn, photinia, pyracantha, roses, spirea, pear and many
others. Always plant resistant varieties
to ensure you do not get this disease. Remember resistant does not mean immune.
On the Bradford Pear the foliage usually does not fall off
the branch and the branch will have a distinct shepherd’s hook curve at the
tip. The dead foliage hanging on can sometimes be confused with twig borer
damage.
Fire blight often leaves the branches looking burnt or a
deep rust color. This is how the disease
got its name. The bacteria over winters in
cankers, then in the springtime the bacteria oozes out of the cankers and
attracts insects and bees that help spread the bacteria. Rain, wind and pruning tools also move the
disease from one plant to another or spread the disease on the same plant. Fire blight usually goes into natural
openings on new wood and then moves to older wood, killing the branch.
To control fire blight, cut out infected limbs 8-10 inches
below the signs of damage. When making
cuts on an infected tree, be sure to disinfect your pruning tools with a 10%
bleach solution (1 oz. bleach, 9 oz. water).
Since fire blight enters new succulent growth, avoid excessive nitrogen
fertilization. Avoid overhead irrigation
or splashing water as this spreads the bacteria. Consider using a general insecticide in the
spring to discourage insects from spreading the disease.
Since fire blight is a bacteria, an antibiotic such as
Agrimycin could be used to reduce infection.
Kocide, Junction and Mancozeb will also help in the control of fire
blight. All these products should be
used in the early spring when the plant is blooming and applied according to
label rates and intervals of applications.
A lot of you have new summer flowering annuals and daffodil
foliage in your yard. Both of these will
respond favorably to Mighty Plant, Messenger, SeaHume and SUPERthrive. You will notice a benefit to your summer
flowering plants in about two weeks. By
spraying your daffodil foliage, you will notice the benefit next spring when you
have bigger blooms on your daffodils.
Fleas have been bad throughout the winter. Protect your pet,
your house, and your yard.
