Problem with my Papayas. Noticed that 2 trees had some brownish spots. A few days later, it turned even worst. Had it culled as I don't know what's wrong with them and am afraid it could spread? After cutting off the trunk at the bottom, the trunk looks good. Fungus infection?

poks:

Mmm..... the only natural method I'm aware of is the use of ripened fruits, like apples or oranges. You could also try pineapples. A less natural method is the use of ethylene gas (trade name Ethephon). This gas is very similar in activity to gasses released by ripening fruits.

Mr Farmer:

Oh my.... I hate to break it to you, but your trees are fine. This is just a case of fruit blight or wet rot. Very common in papaya and other soft fruits like tomatoes, strawberries etc. You could have just removed the damaged fruits, and treat the tree with a blanket spray of preventive fungicide. I would recommend Benomyl. You could use others, depending on your budget, and how immediate and effect you want. A cheaper alternative (but with varied results) is Captan or Thiram. Or use any fungicide that contains copper.

Just to note, wet fruit rot in papaya has dozens and more causal agents, largely fungal. The large black concentric rings here indicate anthracnose. They start off as small brownish sunken spots, but quickly progress to the large spots, especially in wet weather.

But whatever it is, Mr Farmer, you still did what was considered the right thing at the time. Prevention is still better than cure. Anthracnose can spread easily from tree to tree, especially under wet weather, and by water droplets.

But do take to fungicide treatment when the weather permits. And treat the immediate tree neighbouring the infected ones as well. You will want to ensure the the plants 2-3 trees away stay safe.

Hi MrFarmer,

i would suggest you start pruning down your tree and open up the canopy. the ideal height should be 10-15 feet Max. then you wouldnt have much problem with spraying or bagging or harvesting

MrFarmer,

from the picture i see that you roots are on the ground. i would also suggest you make a small "mountain" mound like the one i showed you at my farm so when it rains there would not be water logged situation and can prevent root rot.

that's my idea for you

Hi all,
I have been a lurker on this thread for over a year and found quite an interesting assortment of experiences here. I am making my 1st post here in the hope of getting some pointers as where I can obtain the 'stuff' professional pest control use for termite bait stations.
I have identified the most wide-action active ingredient to be hexaflumuron or a less potent one diflubenzuron (aka DIMILIN). I am aware that it's only available to these pest control firms locally ...in theory anyway as I know DIMILIN is used in Koi (fish) disease treatment.
I have a 3 acre plot in Selangor purchased for a purpose that was still born. So I now have 40 old durian trees of unknown heritage. Over 2 years hardly a decent harvest (few and uneven ripening) and the last one was VERY FEW in nos and ALL suffered uneven ripening. I have used a rotation of commercial 'organic' and chemical fertilisers. No weed killer was used the last 2 years and only cow grass mechanically trimmed.

I am seeking pointers to the local availability of
1)hexaflumuron or
2)diflubenzuron (aka DIMILIN)
as almost all has termite tracks up their trunks and I want to avoid any mass soil application or spraying.
Hoping to eliminate termite as 1 of many causes for poor fruits in both quality and quantity.

Excuse my asking for help on my 1st posting.

#1 is DOW punye
#2 u can call farmcochem they probably have

Yes, my initial thoughts was just to cull the affected fruits, but after looking at the speed of spreading and it's even on the trunk, the panic alarm rang. Hence made the drastic decision.

Had been using mencozeb & thiram to control Anthranose. I usually only gets it on the fruits. This is the 1st time that I'd seen it on the trunk. Was doing the fungus spread when I notice these 2 trees. Anyway, new plant-lets had been replanted.

Yes, the weather was temperamental recently, dry spell for 3 weeks, then sudden pour for a couple of days.

Hi Para, can't prune not as the Avocado are fruiting. Just did the 1st harvest for this year. Shall do it after the fruiting season.
Yes, I went to the Agriculture Park, near here. They are pruning the Jackfruits trees to 10 ~ 15 feet, small canopy, still the fruits are big & plenty. Experimenting with our Jackfruit trees. Shall give it a go.

The papaya is on a gradient slope, maybe about 10 degrees, slanting to the right where the small creeks runs. Hence I didn't do any 'hill'. Also when papaya had grown, the roots are all over the place and any hoeing shall break the roots. This farm, it's slightly sloped, both ends slopping to the middle, where the small creek runs.

Say, out of curiosity, how does a 'hill' perform during dry / extremely dry season? Am thinking of doing this for my banana to prevent toppling.
Hey your papaya harvesting already?

tks vey99,
I checked #2 on their site, they do carry the stuff.
Will call them 2moro if they will sell me some or at least direct me to a local reseller.

Thank you all for the infos..
anyway, i would like to know the prospect of this red banana.
i was walking around when i notice this tree in the far end of my palm farm..
Mr Farmer, have you ever sold or plant this banana in Sabah?
thanks..




This post has been edited by poks: Apr 1 2013, 01:16 PM

Very nice.
No I don't have any of these. I don't see anyone selling these.

But it's edible and belongs to the Cavedish group. Say, how's the taste, guess it's the same, just that it's high in carotene, hence the color.

Hi Ramlan,
If it's for termites, you may want to try Chlorpyrifos. It's effective as I use it for the rubber trees. During rainy season, the termites usually move to higher ground, climbing the rubber trees. I usually break off their tunnels/tracks, clear the trunk around the ground, then do a spray on the trunk & ground. There is only 2 trees that I need to do it twice. Got it for $34 per liter. I guess you should be able to get it cheaper in Penisular, here everything is priced higher.

http://www.agrsmart.com/pdf/102.pdf

I bought this book from Mardi, Serangga Perosak Buah-buahan Tropika Malaysia. There is lots of pictures on the pest and recommended controls. Would like to scan & digitize it so that we can share, unfortunately I don't have a scanner. Can anyone help?

poks:

That's Udang Merah. Some people call it Pisang Raja Merah. It is supposed to have an orangey/salmon pink flesh, and a somewhat raspberry flavor. As Mr. Farmer has pointed out, it is of the Cavendish group too. It is an excellent eating variety with very high demand in many places, but not commonly available. I've only seen it occasionally at some larger wet markets and night markets in KL, but when they are available, they are usually sold out as soon as they are displayed.

My goodness, you do have a very interesting collection of bananas!


Mr Farmer:

Well, two trees lost is better than all the crops affected (touch wood!). Yes, even in Sarawak here, the weather has been absolutely crazy. One minute hot like hell, the next moment massive storm. And the humidity level right after the rain is so darn high! That's the perfect conditions for fungus to thrive, and the vigilant farmer must always be on the lookout for fungal diseases on his/her crop.

MJ:

Thanks. Banana is my first successful plant. The only thing is that i have cavendish in large amount of +- 30 trees which i can't sell yellow. Have to do some experiment on ripening. As for the others, they are just normal except for the recent tall banana and red banana. looking to propagate them
I'm still looking for more variety as collection.

btw, found some interesting ways to propagate;
1. http://www.ina.or.id/knoma-hpsp/fruit/HPSP...nana-Manual.pdf
2. http://www.cialca.org/files/files/extensio...ion_english.pdf
3. http://www.apcoab.org/uploads/files/1298295339pub_banana.pdf

Mr Farmer, i actually never seen people sell this reds in big quantity. might be a chance to open up the market

This post has been edited by poks: Apr 2 2013, 08:57 AM

Hi MrFarmer,

yeah once they are done fruiting then just prune them slowly. massive benefits are awaiting.

that's correct for the jackfruit trees. though shorter doesnt mean that the fruit will be smaller. as my sifu calls, Focused Channeling of Energy to the required areas. His trees grow 20 fruits and averages about 30-35kg each. so yes it can be done

well the "hill" has many advantages ie, no water log and minimise the chance of root rot, and more importantly it will also helping in on holding onto the tree trunks to prevent toppling over.

the similar effect can noticed from the banana trees. out of my 400 banana trees i have less than 5 trees that toppled with this method in my farm.

during dry/extremely dry season, i just put grass mulches to help conserve moisture and more importantly the hills for for my fertiliser input and prevent water logging.

papaya should be harvesting before end of april...hahaha...need to look for buyers...lolx

Btw, have you experience any disease outbreak on your bananas?
I would like to know any mitigation steps you implement to prevent diseases.
to date, i only experienced root borer problems and considering planting marigold as natural agent.

Ah, yes, the methods of Macro-propagation looks simple enough. I think it's do-able. Too bad that my small farm is almost full, otherwise I shall try this out.

Meeting my buyers either this or next week. Shall check with them and inquire if there is any market. Yeah, there is always a chance of getting good fruits to the market.

Thanks &
Good Luck.

Hi poks,

well after getting advice from my sifu and my good friend Joel, managed to keep the disease to "Banana Leaf Spot".

Most important is to make sure no water logged area and also spray some chemical to minimise the outbreak once spotted.
No root borer at my place though *touch wood*

But those borers are heading for my jackfruit trees but am controlling them haha....

The papayas are coming along nicely

Check on the book that I got from Mardi.
There are 2 listed here
Banana Corm Borer, Pengorek umbisi pisang
Rawatan
Rawatan hendaklah dilakukan pada rumpun pisang yang diserang terdiri daripada pokok ibu dan sulur. Siram pangkal pokok degan racun perosak chlorpyrifos (contoh: Dursban 73, 35ml/4.5 liter air)

Pokok yang diserang hendaklah ditebang, umbisinya digorek, dicincang dan didedahkan kepada cahaya matahari supaya larva dan kepompong mati.

and

Banana Stem Weevils, Pengorek batang pisang
Rawatan
same as above.

I have some Banana stem weevils problem. I don't treat, just cull it, cut to small pieces and left it under strong sun. Get a good stock and replant later.

Good luck.