Question From:
Geoff Prince in rural property 35 kilometres west of Albany, Albany WA
Nature of problem:
Leaf damage
Type of Plant (if known):
rhubarb, apples and some others
Symptoms of Plant Illness (please try NOT to diagnose your problems yourself):
small holes in leaves with brown margins which increase in size until in some cases the whole leaf is brown
Soil Type (e.g. sandy, clay or loam) OR Potting Mix Type:
sandy
How often do you water the plant:
irregularly
How many hours of sunlight does the plant get each day:
12
What type of plant is it:
see photo
How long since you planted it:
12 months (rhubarb) 15 years (apple)
Have you fertilised? If so, with what and when:
general NPK fertilizer
Is the plant indoors or outdoors:
outdoors
Is the plant in a pot or in the ground:
ground
What other treatments have you given the plant:
none
Upload photo if available:
pics3.jpg
Other Comments:
Damage occurs in spring.
Answer: Hi Geoff, this is Shothole (AKA Freckle) disease. It occurs in Spring in areas – like yours – with high Winter rainfall. Spray only in late Autumn with Bordeaux Powder or any copper fungicide or lime sulfur. Clean up all dead diseased leaves and branches. It needs to be treated every Autumn from now on since it lives inside the plants. Don