Troubleshooting
Medlar 'Nottingham' problems — and how to fix them
Medlar 'Nottingham' (Mespilus germanica 'Nottingham') 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.
Eaten before bletting
Fresh-picked medlars are hard and astringent. Fruit must be bletted — softened by frost or several weeks in storage — until brown and squishy before it becomes edible and sweet.
Fruit rot during bletting
Bletting walks a line between softening and rotting; warm, damp storage can cause spoilage. Store cool and airy, eye-end down, and check regularly.
Leaf blight and brown spot
Damp summers can bring fungal leaf spotting and occasional blossom blight. Improve airflow, clear fallen leaves and avoid overhead wetting.
Suckering on seedling roots
Trees on quince or pear rootstock can sucker; remove suckers from the base to keep a single clean trunk.
Prevent medlar 'nottingham' problems before they start
Most medlar 'nottingham' issues are care-mismatch, not bad luck. Dial in the basics:
- Common medlar problems — the species this cultivar belongs to
- What's wrong with my plant? — the diagnosis apps compared
- Medlar 'Nottingham' watering schedule
- Medlar 'Nottingham' light requirements
- Best soil mix for medlar 'nottingham'
- Medlar 'Nottingham' temperature & humidity
- Full medlar 'nottingham' care guide
Looking for medlar 'nottingham' in general rather than its problems? Read the full medlar 'nottingham' care guide — light, water, soil and feeding.
Medlar 'Nottingham' problems — FAQ
Why is my medlar 'nottingham' eaten before bletting?
Fresh-picked medlars are hard and astringent. Fruit must be bletted — softened by frost or several weeks in storage — until brown and squishy before it becomes edible and sweet.
Why is my medlar 'nottingham' fruit rot during bletting?
Bletting walks a line between softening and rotting; warm, damp storage can cause spoilage. Store cool and airy, eye-end down, and check regularly.
Why is my medlar 'nottingham' leaf blight and brown spot?
Damp summers can bring fungal leaf spotting and occasional blossom blight. Improve airflow, clear fallen leaves and avoid overhead wetting.
Why is my medlar 'nottingham' suckering on seedling roots?
Trees on quince or pear rootstock can sucker; remove suckers from the base to keep a single clean trunk.