Troubleshooting
Greengage problems — and how to fix them
Greengage (Prunus domestica 'Reine Claude Dorée') 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.
Shy or erratic cropping
Cold sites and poor pollination give light crops; grow against a warm wall and plant a compatible pollinator like Victoria nearby to improve fruit set.
Brown rot
The thin-skinned, sweet fruit is very prone to Monilinia in damp summers; remove rotting and mummified fruit immediately and keep the canopy open.
Wasp and bird damage
High sugar content attracts wasps and birds as fruit ripens; net trees and dispose of fallen, split fruit that draws wasps.
Silver leaf
Infects through pruning cuts; prune fans and trees only in mid-summer and keep wounds minimal.
Prevent greengage problems before they start
Most greengage issues are care-mismatch, not bad luck. Dial in the basics:
Looking for greengage in general rather than its problems? Read the full greengage care guide — light, water, soil and feeding.
Greengage problems — FAQ
Why is my greengage shy or erratic cropping?
Cold sites and poor pollination give light crops; grow against a warm wall and plant a compatible pollinator like Victoria nearby to improve fruit set.
Why is my greengage brown rot?
The thin-skinned, sweet fruit is very prone to Monilinia in damp summers; remove rotting and mummified fruit immediately and keep the canopy open.
Why is my greengage wasp and bird damage?
High sugar content attracts wasps and birds as fruit ripens; net trees and dispose of fallen, split fruit that draws wasps.
Why is my greengage silver leaf?
Infects through pruning cuts; prune fans and trees only in mid-summer and keep wounds minimal.