Funny colour on apple skins

[TonyF]

I've been picking apples in a chums orchard. Not a problem with the Russets/Reignettes, they are great and quite sweet, good for apple jelly and jams.

But, what may be Granny Smiths look really peculiar. Chums haven't touched them for the past three years, not been sprayed or anything like that - it's an organic farm. But the smooth skinned apples have developed a black/grey sort of film around the apples. It looks unsightly, doesn't rub off so it's not a mousse and, interestingly, hasn't effected the apples at all, once peeled they're fine to eat.

As the chums may be wanting to sell from the gate next year - they're organic pig farmers and the apples would go down well with their customers - has anybody any ideas what the problem might be?

[Nicos]

Could it be sooty blotch Tony??
Try google images- there are plenty of different images to compare with.

My French plums ( and leaves)and apples were covered with something similar.

[TonyF]

Brilliant Nicos, thanks, that's just what it is.

[Two_Sheds]

Thanks for that. My apples have something similar, but not quite the same as the photos I googled.
apparently the fungus is spread by rain and humidity...that's what we had this year, makes sense to me.

[swampie sue]

Hi,

my apples appear to have sooty blotch too, my young cox apple tree has been hit for the past 3 years but I was not sure what it was. Is there a simple cure?

[Nicos]

Hi,

my apples appear to have sooty blotch too, my young cox apple tree has been hit for the past 3 years but I was not sure what it was. Is there a simple cure?

You'll need to google what to spray as it's a fungal growth- but as with all fungal infections if you thin out the branches to open up the airflow, and cut out dead bits, then there is a lower risk of infection.
It's not so bad in that once peeled, you can still eat the fruit.

[swampie sue]

Hi

I don't think the problem is due to airflow the tree is still very young and only has a very few branches. Cold it be that they are too low to the ground. They don't look like cox as they seem to stay green, "apart from the black stuff that is" They do however taste like a cox.