The Tropical Fruit Forum
Temperate Fruit & Orchards => Temperate Fruit Discussion => Topic started by: Triloba Tracker on September 24, 2018, 04:59:15 PM
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Are the following pictures indicative of “leaf scorch?”
These are young trees that for most of the summer I fear had wet feet causing a weak root system.
I exposed the soil around the trees to aid in drying. We then have had quite hot, dry, and windy weather.
I’m thinking this is the perfect setup for leaf scorch.
Thoughts?
(https://i.postimg.cc/WqV7jbPw/4_CBE1628-_CB0_D-41_E0-8416-9_F7839_EEFAC8.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/WqV7jbPw)
(https://i.postimg.cc/sMLqzSHP/42_CB755_B-_A7_F1-407_D-_B842-_EC2584_F02_AA7.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/sMLqzSHP)
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While leaf scorch isn't something I get exposed to in my environment (so I can't comment on that possibility), if they occurred on my plants, I'd suspect fertilizer burn. Don't know if that's a possibility in your case.
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No, no ferts in my case but research I’ve done does associate this symptom with fertilizer burn.
I’m convinced it’s scorch.
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I'd think the leaves would be lighter green if they were getting excessive sun.
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I'd think the leaves would be lighter green if they were getting excessive sun.
Right - so what I’m calling scorch is not an overdose of UV but mostly due to inadequate water movement caused by poor root system. It manifests in hot dry weather.
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In my experience, fertilizer burn becomes most pronounced when soil conditions are dry (it concentrates the minerals in the remaining moisture in the soil). Since your symptoms resemble that (even though you haven't been applying fertilizer), it would make sense that your similar-looking symptoms occur when the soil is dry. It might just be overconcentrating whatever's naturally in the soil.
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Trilogy’s tracker, it may depend on what constitutes “wet feet” for paw paw. They naturally thrive in flood planes. Also, once established, they do well with n full sun. Mine thrive well in a climate similar to yours but on top of a mountain on a sandy slope with high winds often. Maybe it’s not a burn on the leaf but a fungus or other disease. Either way, I wouldn’t worry much since paw paw is native and I’ve found need little to no care. Nice green leaves. Must get plenty nitrogen.