Troubleshooting
Apple 'Gala' problems — and how to fix them
Apple 'Gala' (Malus domestica 'Gala') is generally forgiving once you match its basics, but a few issues come up again and again. Here is what each one looks like, why it happens, and the fix.
Apple scab
Dark blotches on leaves and scabby lesions on fruit in wet weather; Gala has only moderate resistance. Remove fallen leaves, prune for airflow, and pick an open site.
Codling moth
Caterpillars boring into the fruit core. Monitor with pheromone traps and remove maggoty fruit to reduce the next generation.
Powdery mildew
White felt on shoot tips and leaves, especially in dry springs after a humid period. Prune out infected tips in winter and avoid drought-stressing young trees.
Biennial tendency / overcropping
Can set very heavy crops of small fruit and slip into alternate bearing. Thin fruitlets to one or two per cluster to size up fruit and steady annual yields.
Prevent apple 'gala' problems before they start
Most apple 'gala' issues are care-mismatch, not bad luck. Dial in the basics:
Looking for apple 'gala' in general rather than its problems? Read the full apple 'gala' care guide — light, water, soil and feeding.
Apple 'Gala' problems — FAQ
Why is my apple 'gala' apple scab?
Dark blotches on leaves and scabby lesions on fruit in wet weather; Gala has only moderate resistance. Remove fallen leaves, prune for airflow, and pick an open site.
Why is my apple 'gala' codling moth?
Caterpillars boring into the fruit core. Monitor with pheromone traps and remove maggoty fruit to reduce the next generation.
Why is my apple 'gala' powdery mildew?
White felt on shoot tips and leaves, especially in dry springs after a humid period. Prune out infected tips in winter and avoid drought-stressing young trees.
Why is my apple 'gala' biennial tendency / overcropping?
Can set very heavy crops of small fruit and slip into alternate bearing. Thin fruitlets to one or two per cluster to size up fruit and steady annual yields.