Growing your own apples and pears is rewarding, but it can be frustrating when bugs or diseases get to the fruit before you do.
At Wafler Nursery, we know that every backyard grower has their own philosophy. Some want to keep everything 100% natural, while others just want the most effective way to get a worm-free apple using standard products found at the hardware store.
Both approaches work! To help you choose, we’ve broken down the “Big Four” apple and pear problems with two clear solutions for each: The Organic Route and The Conventional Route.
Fire Blight
What it is: A bacterial disease that makes branch tips look like they were scorched by fire. The tips often curl over like a “shepherd’s crook.”
Universal First Step (Do this regardless of your method): Pruning. If you see a blackened, wilted branch, cut it off immediately! Cut 8–12 inches below the damage. Crucial: Dip your shears in rubbing alcohol or a 10% bleach mix between every single cut so you don’t spread the disease.
- The Organic Route
- Prevention: Spray a Copper fungicide in late winter (before buds open) to kill bacteria on the bark.
- Biologicals: Use products containing Bacillus subtilis (like Serenade) during bloom to suppress the bacteria naturally.
- The Conventional Route
- Chemical Control: While copper is also used here, conventional growers can use agricultural streptomycin (an antibiotic spray) during the bloom time if the weather is warm and wet, which is when infection happens.
Codling Moth
What it is: The pest responsible for the classic “worm in the apple.” They tunnel into the fruit, leaving a crumbly brown mess behind.
Universal First Step: Clean Up. Pick up any dropped fruit immediately and throw it in the trash (not the compost!). This stops larvae from crawling out and hiding in your soil for next year.
- The Organic Route
- Traps & Bands: Hang pheromone traps to catch adult moths. Wrap the tree trunk in corrugated cardboard; larvae will hide there to spin cocoons. Remove and burn the cardboard every few weeks.
- Sprays: Use Spinosad (a natural bacteria derivative) or Kaolin Clay (creates a barrier on the fruit).
- The Conventional Route
- Sprays: Use a “Home Orchard” spray containing Malathion or Carbaryl (Sevin). These are potent and effective.
Timing: Apply your spray starting about 10–14 days after the flower petals fall off, and repeat according to the label instructions to keep the fruit protected.
Aphids
it is: Tiny green or black bugs that cluster on the undersides of leaves and new shoots. They suck sap, causing leaves to curl and leaving a sticky residue.
Universal First Step: Check your new growth. Aphids love fresh, soft leaves. Catching them early is key.
- The Organic Route
- Water Blast: Often, a strong jet of water from the garden hose is enough to knock them off.
- Natural Sprays: If water doesn’t work, use Neem Oil or Insecticidal Soap. These kill on What contact but are safe for pets and people.
- Beneficial Bugs: Release ladybugs in your garden—they love to eat aphids!
- The Conventional Route
- Sprays: Use a fruit-tree-safe insecticide containing Permethrin or Imidacloprid.
- Why choose this: These products often last longer on the leaves, meaning you may not have to spray as frequently as you would with soap or neem.
Apple and Pear Scab
What it is: A fungus that causes olive-green or black scabby spots on the fruit and leaves. It doesn’t usually ruin the taste, but it makes the fruit look unappealing and can weaken the tree.
Universal First Step: Rake the Leaves. The fungus survives winter in the dead leaves on the ground. Raking and destroying leaves in the fall is the #1 way to prevent scab.
- The Organic Route
- Sprays: Use Sulfur sprays or Copper Soap early in the season (when green tips first appear on the branches) to prevent the fungus from taking hold.
- The Conventional Route
- Sprays: Use a dedicated fungicide like Captan or Myclobutanil (Immunox).
- Why choose this: These synthetic fungicides are often more powerful at halting the disease once weather conditions get wet and humid, which is when scab thrives.
Which Tree Should You Plant?
The best way to avoid all this work? Plant the right tree!
At Wafler Nursery, we offer varieties specifically bred to resist these diseases. Whether you choose to go Organic or Conventional, starting with a strong, healthy tree from Wafler gives you the best chance of success.
Ready to start your backyard orchard? Browse our selection of easy-to-grow, disease-resistant trees at WaflerNursery.com