Monilinia fructicola, M. laxa
Devastating disease of stone fruits causing blossom blight and fruit rot. Can destroy entire crop in wet years.
Brown, wilted blossoms that remain attached. Gummy cankers on twigs. Brown, rotting fruit with gray-tan spore masses. Mummified fruit.
Fungal pathogens that overwinter in mummified fruit and twig cankers. Infect blossoms, then fruit.
Wind and rain-splashed spores. Insects. Spreads rapidly from infected to healthy fruit in storage.
Warm, wet weather during bloom and pre-harvest. Wounded fruit. Dense canopy with poor air circulation.
Remove all mummified fruit from tree and ground. Prune for open canopy. Thin fruit to prevent touching. Handle fruit carefully.