Diagnostic Sheet for Home Fruit Problems

Name ___________________________________________________ Phone # _______________
Address ____________________________________E-Mail ______________________________
City _____________________________________ State ___________ Zip ___________________

Instructions: Fill out both sides as completely as possible. This is to aid in diagnosing the problem your fruit is experiencing.

Type of fruit________________ Variety _______________ Age of planting, if known _____________

Brief description of problem (rotten fruit, wormy fruit, lack of growth, etc.)____________________

____________________________________________________________________________________

Has the problem occurred before? ________ When ________________________________________

Are nearby plants of the same type affected? _______ Is the damage widespread?______________

Confined to a few fruits of branches? _______ Were the plants sprayed? ______________________

Materials used (list active ingredient(s) if known: 50% malathion, 10% captan) __________________

Rate of application (tablespoons/gal, etc.) ____________________date applied _________________

Is the plant (tree or bush) pruned annually? Occasionally? Never?

Is the site well drained? Poorly drained? Excessively drained?

Is the site level? In a depression? On a slope?

If on a slope, does it face North? South? East? West?

Is the site in full sun? Partial shade? Full shade?

Hours of unobstructed sun per day if in partial shade? ___________

Was the soil tested recently? _______ When (date/year) _____/_____

Results, if known, pH _______ Ca ______ Mg ______ P ______ K ______

Has limestone or wood ashes been applied recently?_________when? ____________________

Rate of application (lbs/100 sq ft) _____________________________

Kind of limestone used: Agriculture? hydrated? other ___________________________________

Was fertilizer used? _____ fertilizer grade (5-10-10, 10-10-10, etc.) _________________________

_
Rate of application (lbs/100 sq ft; cups/100 sq ft., etc) ____________________________________

How was the fertilizer applied? Broadcast evenly over the surface? _______________________

Placed near the plant stems? __________ spike or pellet? _______

If manure was used what kind? (cow, sheep, chicken, horse, etc.) _________________________

Was it applied fresh? partially decomposed? decomposed?

Month of application(s)? ______/______

Were any herbicides or weed and feed fertilizers used around or near the fruit plantings? ______

Kind? ________ rate of application (tbl/gal; oz/100 sq ft etc.)_______________

If the plants were sprayed, was the sprayer used to disperse herbicides prior to it being used to spray insecticides and fungicides? ____________________________________

What was the herbicide? ________________ Was the sprayer cleaned? _____________________

How? ____________________________ Is the planting mulched? _______________ What kind

(plastic, sawdust, etc)? ___________________ If an organic mulch is used, what kind? _________

How thick? ____________ When is it applied? _____________ is it removed? _______________

when? ______________________________________

Is the problem fruit a recent planting? ________ Were the plants obtained as bare root, container, ball

and burlapped? ____________________ if one of the latter, was the container or wrapper removed? __________
Was the plant(s) watered at planting time and during its first year of growth?_________________

How was the site prepared? (Tilling, liming, fertilizing, pesticides applied, etc) ________________

In addition to the above information submit a sample of the "diseased" plant. Include in the sample both diseased and healthy tissue. Put the sample and diagnostic form in a padded envelope or sturdy box.  Mark the package with your name, mailing address, and phone number.  Mail packages to arrive on weekdays to the following address:

Home and Garden Education Center
1380 Storrs Road Unit 4115
Storrs, CT 06269-4115
Phone toll free: 1-877-486-6271 for more information