Apple sooty blotch
Prevent apple sooty blotch spoiling the appearance of your apples, using organic or chemical means described in our guide.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Time to act | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
Apple sooty blotch is caused by an overwintering fungus, which is typically found on trees or branches growing in shade and damp. It creates a splatter of dark, sooty spots all over the skin of the fruit, although the flesh isn't affected at all and the taste doesn't suffer. The spots can be easily scraped off.
Symptoms
A plethora of sooty, greenish or brown spots all over the fruit, which usually appear during cold, wet seasons, and particularly on shady parts of the tree.
Find it on
apples, pears, plums
Organic
Good garden hygiene eases many fungal problems, so ensure you clear away all fallen, affected fruits and leaves by late-autumn. Dispose of them but not on your compost heap, as this could redistribute the fungus around the garden.
Chemical
There's no specific control, but spraying for apple scab using myclobutanil fungicide at regular intervals during the growing season invariably eliminates the problem.
Festive subscription offer
Save 51% on the shop price. Subscribe to BBC Gardeners' World Magazine today and get 6 months of free seeds for Spring 2025.
Year Planner 2025 on sale
Starting to plan your gardening year? The Year Planner 2025 is packed with expert advice from the Gardeners’ World team, to ensure you have your best gardening year yet.
Discover our new digital travel brochure
Whether it's a thrilling Arctic cruise or a charming getaway to historic Bath, our NEW travel brochure has exciting options for everyone.
Discover Dangerous Plants
From witchcraft to murder mysteries, uncover the power of plants in the new BBC Gardeners' World Magazine podcast series.
