Kitchen Garden Forum

Can anyone tell me why the skins on my Rev. Wilks apples are so marked this year? The flesh inside is fine and nothing wrong. All perfectly useable as usual exept for baking, a bit unsightly. This really is a delicious apple and I think, far better than the Bramley for cooking and an excellent eater.

Beryl.

Hi Beryl

Looks like bitter pit http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bitter_pit

I don't think so Alan. It is only on the surface of the skin. I have seen Bitter Pit before. But I will keep it in mind - thanks.

Beryl.

Just a thought: did you have some heavy hailstorms? And are the marks only on one side?

Not that I can remember Monika.
Another point why I don't think it is Bitter pit. The fruit is so sweet and juicy. If it was the Bitter pit it would taste sour.

I would be grateful for any more ideas.

Thanks
Beryl.

This is only a guess but could it be wasps?

Scab?

Not seen any wasps about.
Have looked up Scab in Dr Hessayon's bible and he says there will be large corky areas developing as the fruit matures.
This didn't really happen until the fruit was getting ready to harvest.

It's a puzzler but thanks for your thoughts.

Beryl.

Beryl - I have a tree that has done the same. I thought bitter pit but flesh is perfect just the skins marked. What a strange year we are having!

Westi

I agee Westie. I shall be glad when this one is over. Roll on 2013

Beryl.

In an old book I have "Fruit Cultivation for Amateurs" Hilary M Hughes 1951 there is a b/w photograph of lenticel spot that looks quite similar but I can't find it in the text of the book (it has a limited index). If I Google it I find this http://www.fera.defra.gov.uk/plants/pub ... /QIC51.pdf which isn't quite right and not UK and there is also this fine collection of spots to choose from http://apples.hdc.org.uk/pdfs/disorders ... 2007:53:50 In summary - stumped though it does look as though a few of these spots, like bitter pit, are related to Calcium deficiency so you could try liming (I lime my Apples every year because my high rainfall and acid soil encourage bitter pit).

There is a lot of scab on the apples this year, probably with it being so wet. Some varieties seem to be more resilient than others, but the more susceptible ones are quite a mess this year. They are fine to use when peeled, but go bad very quickly if you try to store them, so try and use them up as soon as possible. Try not to leave any lying on the ground that fall off so there are fewer spores etc to carry over to next year.

Thanks Geoff for the info and Plumpudding.

I still don't think it is scab or bitter bit. The consensus today on the allotment is poor germination through lack of bees and insects earlier on.
I think maybe Plumpudding is right in a way and we will put it down to bad weather.
I have been busy using up all my apples now. Some added to chutney and the rest have gone in the freezer lightly cooked for use later in pies etc.

Lets hope for a better season next year.

Thanks for all you input.

Beryl.

Our apples seem to have more skin problems than usual this year

The only apple not affected is my russet - which I put down to having a thicker skin than the others so maybe it is more related to some sort of insect or weather damage?? Just a thought...

Westi