Troubleshooting
Damson 'Merryweather' problems — and how to fix them
Damson 'Merryweather' (Prunus insititia 'Merryweather') 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.
Biennial bearing and over-cropping
Heavy crops can break branches and trigger a light year following. Thin congested fruit and support laden limbs to even out cropping and prevent limb damage.
Silver leaf and bacterial canker
Common Prunus diseases that cause dieback and silvery foliage. Prune only in summer in dry weather, never in winter, and remove infected wood well below the damage.
Aphids and plum moth
Aphids curl new leaves while plum moth maggots tunnel the fruit. Encourage predators, and hang pheromone traps from late spring to reduce maggoty damsons.
Frosted blossom
Spring flowers can be caught by late frost, cutting the crop despite self-fertility. A sheltered spot away from frost pockets protects the early bloom.
Prevent damson 'merryweather' problems before they start
Most damson 'merryweather' issues are care-mismatch, not bad luck. Dial in the basics:
Looking for damson 'merryweather' in general rather than its problems? Read the full damson 'merryweather' care guide — light, water, soil and feeding.
Damson 'Merryweather' problems — FAQ
Why is my damson 'merryweather' biennial bearing and over-cropping?
Heavy crops can break branches and trigger a light year following. Thin congested fruit and support laden limbs to even out cropping and prevent limb damage.
Why is my damson 'merryweather' silver leaf and bacterial canker?
Common Prunus diseases that cause dieback and silvery foliage. Prune only in summer in dry weather, never in winter, and remove infected wood well below the damage.
Why is my damson 'merryweather' aphids and plum moth?
Aphids curl new leaves while plum moth maggots tunnel the fruit. Encourage predators, and hang pheromone traps from late spring to reduce maggoty damsons.
Why is my damson 'merryweather' frosted blossom?
Spring flowers can be caught by late frost, cutting the crop despite self-fertility. A sheltered spot away from frost pockets protects the early bloom.