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Fruit & Orchards

Tiny Little Holes in my Apricot Leaves?

hoosierquilt USDA 10A Sunset 23 Vista CA

13 years ago

I just noticed today that some of my leaves on my new Blenheim apricot have tiny, pin holes in them. I tried looking very closely at the tops and bottoms of the leaves for bugs, but didn't see anything. Anyone know what this might be? Is it an insect or a fungus? Not all leaves are affected, but I'd sure like to treat this before it gets worse! New to stone fruit, and have sort of avoided them since I think they tend to be a little more care than other fruit trees, but my husband was bemoaning the fact that we have lots of citrus and avocados, but no cherries, plums, apricots, nectarines, etc. So, jumping in with a few stone fruit and want to make sure I stay on top of a pest management program with them. Our biggest issue, actually, will be the damned rats and ground squirrels, and I'm setting out bait stations for those. Just need to put together a good insect pest program and try to use organic methods if possible.

Patty S.

Patty S.

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Comments (6)

Scott F Smith
13 years ago
It could be shot-hole, which is either coryneum blight or bacterial spot. It is common on new stone fruits since recently transplanted trees do not have good defenses against it. The main treatment for it is copper at leaf fall and copper just before bud break in the spring. There isn't a lot you can do during the growing season for it, but if it stops raining the newer later leaves should avoid getting spots on them. Search for some pictures of these diseases and see if it matches.

Scott
hoosierquilt USDA 10A Sunset 23 Vista CA
Original Author
13 years ago
Thanks, Scott, that's what I thought it was, unfortunately, just couldn't find any photos last night (too late, too tired.) Fortunately, it has stopped raining for the moment. But, now hearing we may have thunderstorms on Sunday. Again! Unbelieveable. This is the wettest weather I can remember her in S. California as far back as 1963.

Patty S.
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cebury
13 years ago
Patty did you tanglefoot your trees yet? Not that it would keep everything off them, but it helps.

The little holes I've had trouble with are from Nymphs of Katydids. On my nectarines, I saw my first one today and a few stink bugs, too.

When you said "only a few" leaves have them, that's what got my attention instead of fungus.

Google "UC IPM Katydid" or look here: http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/S/I-OT-SFUR-NM.004.html

The nymphs are sneaky and will move across to the other side of the tree and hide behind leaves when they see you approach.

Last year I never had any infestation so I didn't treat the trees at all. But due to damage of nectarine fruitlets (& my citrus) from nymphs and earwigs, many grew very deformed.

Here is a link that might be useful: UC IPM katydid nymph
hoosierquilt USDA 10A Sunset 23 Vista CA
Original Author
13 years ago
Thanks, Chris. Looked carefully at UC IPM's site about katydids. My holes in my leaves are teeny tiny, like pin dots. Plus, I've got a little PLC, too. I chatted with the nursery I bought them from yesterday. Interestingly, they have an article on their new web site about PLC. They told me that despite spraying their dormant trees FOUR times, due to all the crazy rain we got, they are still having issues with fungal infections - PLM and Shot Hole. It's not bad - just a few leaves on each tree. So, I made sure I had some Monterrey LiquiCop on hand for this fall and winter for everything. And no, I haven't put tangelfoot on my trees, yet. I have got to get to that just to control the aphids and ants. If I can get the ants off, I can then hose off the aphids. I think I can get to that starting today. Trying to build a garden shed and potting bench, too, and my wonderful hubby was not happy with my foundation, so I've got to rake away ALL the gravel, then re-set the stepping stones. Ugh. But, I will keep my eyes peeled for katydids.

Patty S.
piciwoman_verizon_net
12 years ago
thinking the nursery taged my trees wrong, anyone have a picture of these two leaves so I can make a comparison.
hoosierquilt USDA 10A Sunset 23 Vista CA
Original Author
12 years ago
Joan, not sure what you're talking about. You need to start an entirely new message thread, and if you have questions about your trees, please provide photos of the trees and close ups of the leaves. We can help you identify your trees. Adding your message to my thread just confuses the message thread. Starting your own message thread allows you to check off the notification option, so you're notified when someone responds to your message :-)

Patty S.

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