Plum Problem

[busy_lizzie]

I have just been out in the garden to pick some Victoria plums which have just started to ripen, and I have noticed that some of them have a clear waxy-like plug on them. Have they been infected with something or been knobbled by an insect? Would really appreciate your input as I was hoping to make some jam and a frangipani tart for the weekend.   Thanks if you can advise me.  busy_lizzie

[Unwashed]

You mean like a resinous material?  I think that's where something's have a bit of a burrow.  Cut them up and fish out the maggots, the plums are fine for jam and stewing.

[busy_lizzie]

Hi UW, That is a fair description. Was hoping I could still use them and they aren't contaminated. Thanks for the info.  busy_lizzie

[zigzig]

I have noticed that with some of the plums a small bit of dried secretion seems to be evident but there is no sign of damage once they are split. The dried squirl seems to wipe off without any evidence it ever existed.

Since I have a lot of neighbours who enjoy freebies from my plot. I do not find it hard to rehome any surplus.

[nilly71]

Sounds like saw-fly. I had the same with my first to rippen, when I opened them up they were black around the stone. All the late developing plums were fine.

Neil

[bionear2]

A lot of my victorias had "plaques" of transparent stuff on them, but were undamaged. I assume it was spilt juice from another fruit that had just dried out.
Its been a good year, apart from having to beat the wasps to the really ripe ones, as usual!

[cjb02]

I have had this to on my Victoria. I dont know what it is either. but like others, I remove the opaque stuff and cut it open and there is no damage inside what so ever.  The Vickies have been gorgeous as well this year, very sweet and juicy. Far superior to any supermarket bought fruit.

[jennym]

Think this may be plum moth - sometimes the larvae just nibble the skin of the fruit, and don't get down into the heart of the fruit. The term for the resinous like substance thats evident on the surface of the plum is gummosis, think it just means a gummy resinous like substance which can be caused by a number of things.
I'd take it as a warning sign that you need to treat the tree to stop the problem getting worse in future years.

[saddad]

I've never treated the trees for it... and it hasn't got worse but the pheremone traps have greatly reduced the grubs. To such an extent that we only use them every other year now..