Laden Plum Tree Mishap

Whilst having a well-earned teabreak sampling Steve`s chocolate brownie, Paula noticed a branch on the plum tree looking a bit odd. On closer inspection we found that it was almost broken off, but not quite.

The reason being the increase in weight as the fruit gets bigger.

Bit concerned about the split in the trunk and the black deposit. Don`t think it`s good.

Here is the fruit so far.

We mangaed to "save" it by binding the branch to the post. Next time we will seal it with ducktape.

We don`t want to lose all that lovely fruit.

Other problems we found were damsons that looked like bean pods.

Here is what I found on the internet.

Damsons look like broad beans!

Some of the fruit on my damson tree have pale, spotty skins and look more like broad beans. What’s wrong and what should I do

You’ve given me a lovely description of a disease known as pocket plum. Plums or damsons become swollen and distorted with pale skins, which eventually go blotchy. Once affected, the fruits are useless and eventually fall off.
It is caused by a fungal organism called Taphrina pruni and is carried from year to year by spores which can lodge in crevices in the twigs and bark.
To reduce pocket plum, pick off and destroy all affected fruits now before the spores have a chance to spread. There is no other cure, either organic or chemical.
Though ugly and alarming, this disease seldom affects more than a proportion of plums, so although the yield is reduced, you should still get plenty of damsons. This disease often crops up one year, but does not then return for several seasons.

Today I picked the affected fruit and disposed of it at home.

Not all the fruit was affected.

Otherwise we had an exciting time laying out the polytunnel beds with string and pegs. We raked down one long bed on the right hand side and got 12 tomatoes in at last. It was baking hot in there but we loved it.

Later I put some courgettes and smaller pumpkins in.

So the first planting is done. Wondering what this will look like in a few weeks time.

Some new views.

 

The willow needs weaving in.

This end of the sweetpea row is doing so well. The other end was attacked by the sheep.

A pale and papery, exquisitely marked poppy in the butterfly garden.