Troubleshooting
Louise Bonne pear problems — and how to fix them
Louise Bonne pear (Pyrus communis 'Louise Bonne of Jersey') 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.
Pear scab (Venturia pirina)
Dark scabby patches on fruit and leaves in humid conditions. Prune for an open canopy, collect and dispose of fallen leaves, and apply copper fungicide at bud burst if the previous season was heavily affected.
Frost damage to blossom
Louise Bonne flowers relatively early and is vulnerable to late spring frosts. Cover wall-trained trees with horticultural fleece overnight during forecast frosts. Choose a sheltered site or train against a warm wall.
Brown rot (Monilinia spp.)
Fruit rots on the tree in warm, wet summers, showing concentric rings of white spore pustules. Remove and destroy affected fruit promptly; do not compost. Ensure good canopy ventilation.
Prevent louise bonne pear problems before they start
Most louise bonne pear issues are care-mismatch, not bad luck. Dial in the basics:
Louise Bonne pear problems — FAQ
Why is my louise bonne pear pear scab (venturia pirina)?
Dark scabby patches on fruit and leaves in humid conditions. Prune for an open canopy, collect and dispose of fallen leaves, and apply copper fungicide at bud burst if the previous season was heavily affected.
Why is my louise bonne pear frost damage to blossom?
Louise Bonne flowers relatively early and is vulnerable to late spring frosts. Cover wall-trained trees with horticultural fleece overnight during forecast frosts. Choose a sheltered site or train against a warm wall.
Why is my louise bonne pear brown rot (monilinia spp.)?
Fruit rots on the tree in warm, wet summers, showing concentric rings of white spore pustules. Remove and destroy affected fruit promptly; do not compost. Ensure good canopy ventilation.