Strange colour on citrus (forum)

Grumpy starts with ...
Strange pinkish colour on branch of citrus. Note the branch has also died. What is it and are there any special treatments beside surgery ?
Pictures - Click to enlarge

Picture: 1

Time: 31st December 2017 1:25pm

Reply | LIKE this Answer(0) | LIKE this Question (0) | Report
About the Author Grumpy
Black Mountain Q
#UserID: 16579
Posts: 5
View All Grumpy's Edible Fruit Trees

Fruitylicious1 says...
Hi Grumps
Sorry to tell you that your citrus tree is affected by fungal 'citrus pink disease' (erythricium salmonicolor) a serious citrus disease which often result in death of major limbs or worst death of the entire tree. They occur and spread during humid and wet conditions.

Another less serious issue with your citrus is the evidence of another fungal disease called citrus scab (elsinoe fawcetii) exhibited by the pustules and lesions on the fruits and leaves further weakening the tree. Same cause as the pink disease due to wet and humid conditions.

Another likely cause of these diseases besides overly wet and humid condition is the apparent overcrowded limbs and branches on the tree disallowing fast air circulation and sunlight penetration to quickly dry off excess moisture in and around the tree.

Unfortunately you have to drastically prune your tree and remove all disease and dead branches and treat the entire tree with the appropriate fungicide ASAP! Just select 3 or 4 main outward growing branches to allow sunlight and air penetration next time the tree recovers. And please dispose all material from that tree appropriately or incinerate all prunings if you can and sterilised all tools and equipments used because the pink disease is contagious and can also infect non citrus plant varieties.
Happy Gardening :-)


Time: 3rd January 2018 6:54am

Reply | LIKE this Answer(0) | LIKE this Question (0) | Report
Original Post was last edited: 3rd January 2018 11:13am

About the Author Fruitylicious1
TAMWORTH,2340,NSW
#UserID: 16885
Posts: 709
View All Fruitylicious1's Edible Fruit Trees

Grumpy says...
Oh....thank you.
Is there a treatment as it is part of a small orchard. Removal ? Other ?

Appreciate your reply.

Time: 3rd January 2018 9:52am

Reply | LIKE this Answer(0) | LIKE this Question (0) | Report
About the Author Grumpy
Black Mountain Q
#UserID: 16579
Posts: 5
View All Grumpy's Edible Fruit Trees

Fruitylicious1 says...
Hi Grumps

It is better to prune hard the affected tree about half and just leave 3-4 main unaffected boughs and burn all plant materials from it. Also clean all the fallen leaves, branches and weeds under and around it. Afterwards, spray it with a water soluble copper based fungicide. Repeat the spray when the new shoots are emerging to ward off reinfection.

Practice good plant management like regular judicious pruning. Always open up the centre of the tree for good light penetration and ventilation. Coupled with sound irrigation and fertilization management program to avoid plant stress.
Inspect your other plants and act accordingly if you see any signs of fungal infection.


Time: 3rd January 2018 1:31pm

Reply | LIKE this Answer(1) | LIKE this Question (0) | Report
People who Like this Answer: Grumpy
Original Post was last edited: 3rd January 2018 2:07pm

About the Author Fruitylicious1
TAMWORTH,2340,NSW
#UserID: 16885
Posts: 709
View All Fruitylicious1's Edible Fruit Trees