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BITTER PIT
Bitter Pit is a disease of apple trees. It is caused by a chemical imbalance in the tree, either a shortage of calcium or too much potassium or magnesium.
This is often caused by a shortage of water at a crucial time
in the development of the apples.
The
symptoms are several small brown sunken pits on the surface of the apple. The
flesh below the pits is also browned and tastes bitter. The number of affected areas
will increase considerably throughout storage, so don't store apples which show any
signs of Bitter Pit.
GO
TO THE GARDEN PEST AND DISEASE MAIN PAGE FOR
PESTS AND DISEASES CLASSIFIED BY PLANT
How
to Treat Bitter Pit
Their is no real treatment once the disease has been noticed.
Next season, mulch (not straw) round the tree with well-rotted
compost to conserve water, especially in dry periods. Do not
over-fertilise.
END
OF ARTICLE
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