Can anybody advise on the below apple tree condition?
Describe the problem. Leaves look fine. Main stem looks bumpy but is out of zoom.
Basically, as you said, it’s stem is bumpy. Before grafting on it, i notice the Seedling Rootstock was showing similar symptoms. Now the same condition is showing on the above Fuji graft.
Here’s a more clear set of pic’s
Really surprised no one is familiar with this. Your pics are hard to see it though. I don’t have your answer, but I would quarantine it till you know more. Just guessing. I see lumps on trees occasionally with some type of insect infestation. The eggs would be the bumps.
Are you grafting these for fun or do you get enough chill hours down there? Just curious. I would have expected something more tropical.
I’m grafting them with the hope of creating a industry on the island. I have a feeling it’s a combination of a both insect and mineral deficiency.
You can definitely see an ant in one of the pictures. Perhaps ant is milking another apple pest insect to get honeydew? See any bugs with a magnifying glass? Try looking at the growing tender parts, I suspect effect starts there,
Apple (Malus domestica) chill hours are a myth, disproven by applenut and others. He has established orchards in the Congo.
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Considering the health shown in the leaves I can’t believe that it is something serious. At least at this time.
Was thinking the same.
At the moment.
Yes, that’s true for everything. I.e., everything is fine until it isn’t.
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Did you spray it with any kind of soap, oil, insecticide, or fungicide? Organic or non-organic? Was it in a green house or packed close to a wall or other vegetation (odema/edema?) Kind of looks like either chemical burn or edmea.
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Most places in Jamaica are extremely humid, at least 65F dew point majority of time.
Yep, if I had to guess then I’d say edema. It just looks weird, harmless otherwise.
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Oftentimes we ignor the obvious. A couple of suggestions to diagnose:
1 You said you have other grafts growing, compare the environment of each one to determine what’s different for this one: soil, grow bag, is there a chance someone treated the grow bag with chemical?
2. Host plants nearby, the ant could be your tracer, follow the ant trail if there is one, does it lead to the host plant?
3. Someone mentioned the tender parts, examine the newest foliage for aphids, some aphid bites cause leaf curling, check surround plants for aphids.
4. Finally, check with RADA your ag extension agent to see if their experts can diagnose the symptoms
Best of luck wish I could be more help
Dennis
Kent, wa