What Causes Pear Flyspeck?
Planning and planting a home orchard can be a labor of love. Whether designing a large-scale operation or just planting a few trees for your family to enjoy, the process of maintaining a healthy orchard is quite an investment. Knowing how to properly prevent and identify some common fungal issues, like flyspeck on pears, will help maintain plant vigor and ensure better overall health. Flyspeck is caused by a fungus. Spores of the fungi spread in areas that experience high humidity. During these periods of wet and humid weather, spores are released from host plants and infect pear trees. In addition to pears, development of flyspeck may also appear on apples within the same orchard. Luckily for growers, flyspeck damage is relatively minimal and does not usually impact the fruit beyond the exterior. Damage to the waxy outer layer of the pear fruit appears in the form of dark color “specks,” hence the name. These fungal specks are usually able to be removed by a thorough rinsing of the fruit.
Pear Flyspeck Control
Although fungicide sprays are available for commercial growers, the best course of action for home gardeners in need of treating pears with flyspeck lies with prevention. Proper tree maintenance, such as pruning, will result in better airflow and reduced occurrence of flyspeck. While there are no varieties that offer resistance to this fungal issue, choosing pear types which mature earlier in season will better limit the amount of time developing fruit is exposed to low temperatures and high humidity. Lastly, make sure to maintain proper cleanliness within and around the orchard. Remove host plants near trees, such as wild blackberry brambles.
