How to treat Fire Blight

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1.  Put on gloves to protect your hands from the bleach.

2.  Measure 4 cups of water and pour it into a large bowl. Add one cup of bleach to the bowl, pouring it in slowly so as not to splash it out of the container. Stir the contents with a spoon.

3.  Prune all branches with fire blight off with shears. Dip the shears in the bleach solution after each cut so as not to spread the infection. Cut off all branches at least 12 inches below the last branch that is wilted and discolored. Dispose of the branches in an area that is at least 100 feet away from the tree.

4.  Open a 1-gallon garden sprayer by turning the lid counter clockwise. Pour in 6 cups of water and then 4 cups of white vinegar. Close the lid in a clockwise direction. Shake the sprayer gently to mix the contents. Pump the handle on the top of the sprayer to pressurize the contents.

5.  Put on safety glasses. Point the nozzle at your tree and depress the lever on the wand to spray the tree from bottom to top and underneath the leaves. Step back from the tree and spray the vinegar solution from top to bottom until the leaves are dripping. Spray the tree trunk thoroughly.

6.  Spray the vinegar solution on the fruit tree again in two weeks to ensure the fire blight is medicated.

 

Things You Will Need

  • Gloves
  • Large bowl
  • Measuring cup
  • 4 cups water
  • 1 cup bleach
  • Spoon
  • Shears
  • Gallon sprayer
  • 6 cups water
  • 4 cups white vinegar
  • Safety glasses

Tips

  • Control aphids and insects that spread fire blight on your trees.
  • High nitrogen fertilizers encourage new lush growth that attracts fire blight bacteria.
  • Remove dead leaves and plant debris at the base of fruit trees. Fungal spores thrive in dead matter.
  • Place organic mulch around the bottom of fruit trees to keep any fungal spores from splashing up on your tree in heavy rains or when watering them.

References

Resources