This year we got a good crop of almonds but every single one was shrivelled up and yucky. I later found out that this was due to shothole fungus and that it's very common in backyard trees. The give away sign is leaves with small round holes in them (hence the name) and dots of gum oozing out of the nuts. So this year I'm keen to get on top of it and it turns out it's not too hard. You need to spray the tree with a fungicide such as bordeaux or copper oxychloride. Many people think of spraying fruit trees as evil but there are many sprays which fall into the category of organic so I don't have a problem with it myself. I would much rather have a productive tree using organic/benign sprays than an unproductive 'spray free' tree.
Our almond tree is just starting to flower so I sprayed today and will follow it up with a repeat spray at budswell stage. Spray when the branches are dry and rain is not expected for six hours.
Our almond tree is just starting to flower so I sprayed today and will follow it up with a repeat spray at budswell stage. Spray when the branches are dry and rain is not expected for six hours.
Hopefully we'll have our first good, edible crop in January 2014. I'll let you know of course!
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