john b 38 Posted June 19, 2009 Report Share Posted June 19, 2009 After the dismal showing of Sloes last year I have been paying a bit more attention to the crop a bit earlier in the year. Yesterday I went for a walk in one of my favourite picking spots and found some rather unexpected results. Now I have to stress that I don't normally look at this time of year so this may be 'normal' but it doesn't look right. On some of the branches there were some hard, green round little berries that look exactly how I'd expect immature Sloes to look. I tested one and sure enough there was a well formed stone inside already. However mixed in amongst them were much larger, broadbean shaped pods that were discoloured and deformed. There were far more of these than the the green Sloes and on some branches these were all that was visible. I cut a couple of these open and they were hollow with no stone, but possible the signs of what would have become it. I am guessing that these are Sloes that have not properly developed, either through incomplete fertilization or disease or insect. Possible late frost I suppose. Anyone else seen anything like this ? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
john b 38 Posted June 19, 2009 Author Report Share Posted June 19, 2009 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
robsharpe 1 Posted June 19, 2009 Report Share Posted June 19, 2009 not seen them before john yes the immature green sloes but not the pods ,i hope this year is better here in co durham last year there was none hopefully a crop this year cheers rob sorry not much help !! anyone Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Waz 4,204 Posted June 19, 2009 Report Share Posted June 19, 2009 Had a look the other day, look healthy enough round by me. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Hannah4181 260 Posted June 19, 2009 Report Share Posted June 19, 2009 They seem to be doing ok round near me, although already there doesn't look to be as many as we've had in previous years . . . . . . i'm on constant watch to stop any other bugger getting them 1st, noone else seems interested yet! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Malt 379 Posted June 19, 2009 Report Share Posted June 19, 2009 I haven't noticed any this year yet, next time I'm out I'll have a look. I wonder if these pods are un-fertilized, has it got anything to do with the drastic drop in bee numbers? Could be a sign of things to come.... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
v-max 2 Posted June 19, 2009 Report Share Posted June 19, 2009 The sloes in Angus Scotland were i go was bad none to found i got nothing last year. I havent looked at this time of year but may try to see how they are doing. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
scottishlass 57 Posted June 21, 2009 Report Share Posted June 21, 2009 I am still looking for bushes seen as i am at a new place now i need to get out for a look to find them as i am out of sloe gin. it has something to do with me and sporting shooter downing the last bottle i had made in jan Quote Link to post Share on other sites
MissPimperella 0 Posted June 21, 2009 Report Share Posted June 21, 2009 I haven't yet found any Sloes in my area (Boarshaw, Middleton) but while out collecting Elderflower I will have my eyes peeled for them. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
harrycatcat 31 Posted June 21, 2009 Report Share Posted June 21, 2009 I read this topic the other day and didnt really take any notice but I have just come back with the dog and I would say that about 90% of the bushes with sloes on look like the ones in the pictures that have been posted. I was gutted. This group of bushes must be approx 60 metres long and about 20 metres wide and they nearly all look like death. Although there was loads of blossom on earlier in the year, cant work it out, very strange. Has anyone else looked or can offer an explanation for what looks like another bad year. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Malt 379 Posted June 21, 2009 Report Share Posted June 21, 2009 I read this topic the other day and didnt really take any notice but I have just come back with the dog and I would say that about 90% of the bushes with sloes on look like the ones in the pictures that have been posted. I was gutted.This group of bushes must be approx 60 metres long and about 20 metres wide and they nearly all look like death. Although there was loads of blossom on earlier in the year, cant work it out, very strange. Has anyone else looked or can offer an explanation for what looks like another bad year. Lack of Bees IMO. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
john b 38 Posted June 22, 2009 Author Report Share Posted June 22, 2009 I've found out what it is ! It's a fungal infection Taphrina pruni known commonly as 'Pocket Plum' Pocket plum is a fungal infection of the young fruits of plums, damsons and some ornamental species, causing them to develop abnormally, without stones. It recommends you gather up all the infected ones before the spores develop and spread. Bit of a task that is. For more detail see here: http://www.rhs.org.uk/advicesearch/profile.aspx?PID=199 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
harrycatcat 31 Posted June 22, 2009 Report Share Posted June 22, 2009 I've found out what it is ! It's a fungal infection Taphrina pruni known commonly as 'Pocket Plum' Pocket plum is a fungal infection of the young fruits of plums, damsons and some ornamental species, causing them to develop abnormally, without stones. It recommends you gather up all the infected ones before the spores develop and spread. Bit of a task that is. For more detail see here: http://www.rhs.org.uk/advicesearch/profile.aspx?PID=199 Thats it then another flippin tea total year Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Flynn 314 Posted June 22, 2009 Report Share Posted June 22, 2009 I've found out what it is ! It's a fungal infection Taphrina pruni known commonly as 'Pocket Plum' Pocket plum is a fungal infection of the young fruits of plums, damsons and some ornamental species, causing them to develop abnormally, without stones. It recommends you gather up all the infected ones before the spores develop and spread. Bit of a task that is. For more detail see here: http://www.rhs.org.uk/advicesearch/profile.aspx?PID=199 It has been one of the best Years since i can remember for Blossom, the perfume , devine!! and i was thrilled to see so many sloes growing!! We Have a quite a number of Bees so i had ruled that one out, sadly now i see this Pocket Plum, and its spreading so quickly too!! so far only the sloe,s are affected, i had hoped for a Bumper year with all fruits and we have far to many to gather the infected ones....... oh fingers crossed i dont have to resort to frozen sloe,s again thanks for that info re the pocket plum Quote Link to post Share on other sites
breffni 3 Posted July 5, 2009 Report Share Posted July 5, 2009 I've found out what it is ! It's a fungal infection Taphrina pruni known commonly as 'Pocket Plum' Pocket plum is a fungal infection of the young fruits of plums, damsons and some ornamental species, causing them to develop abnormally, without stones. It recommends you gather up all the infected ones before the spores develop and spread. Bit of a task that is. For more detail see here: http://www.rhs.org.uk/advicesearch/profile.aspx?PID=199 It has been one of the best Years since i can remember for Blossom, the perfume , devine!! and i was thrilled to see so many sloes growing!! We Have a quite a number of Bees so i had ruled that one out, sadly now i see this Pocket Plum, and its spreading so quickly too!! so far only the sloe,s are affected, i had hoped for a Bumper year with all fruits and we have far to many to gather the infected ones....... oh fingers crossed i dont have to resort to frozen sloe,s again thanks for that info re the pocket plum Well lads/lasses,im goin to try some sloe gin this year.Can i pick them now and freze them or should i waite? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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