Fruit Bites June 2-4 Bitter Pit 2

Fruit Bites June 2-4 Bitter Pit 2

Bob Larson
Bob Larson
BL: Welcome back to another “Fruit Bites” brought to you by Valent U.S.A. With us again is Valent’s Allison Walston. And Allison, let’s continue talking about bitter pit in apples and how to control it!

AW: Last week we discussed WHAT bitter pit is, a calcium deficiency in apples. So, what can be done for trees that have exhibited bitter pit? Unfortunately, there’s no silver bullet that can control it but multiple cultural control tactics that can reduce it.

BL: I would assume since it’s a calcium deficiency, one thing would be to give the apple more calcium?

AW: Yes, several applications of calcium can help. Reduce stress on trees: protect the trunk from winter injury, pruning helps to control the excessive growth, and soil samples help guide what nutrients might be out of whack. Reduce growing super-large apples: work by thinning apples to prevent alternate bearing cycles, try to keep apples cool on hot days by overhead irrigation or sunburn materials.

BL: Good stuff, thanks Allison. Join us again next time for Fruit Bites, brought to you by Valent. Until then, I’m Bob Larson.

https://pnwhandbooks.org/plantdisease/host-disease/apple-malus-spp-bitter-pit

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