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> No. The syptoms are unlike "softnose" as it affects the whole fruit and is
> evident on fully black, semi and some green fruit. The shrivelling looks
> very much like overripe fruit left too long on the tree and the olives are
> soft ( even the green ones) There is also unaffected fruit on the same
> trees which is quite firm and glossy.
>
> Regards,
>
> Helen Morgan
> Talinga Grove
> www.talinga.com.au

Helen,

Is this more like it? This is a copy of an e-mail & reply from one of our
local growers.

Dear Elaine,

While we were at Greg Hatton's we had a quick chat, and you mentioned that
the chap who was doing the study into fungal pests and diseases had come to
some conclusions about use of copper as general fix for some of the
problems. I didn't get the chance to ask you any further questions on the
Sunday, but I'd like to have a chat either to you or to the chap himself
about this subject.

Mike.



The "experts" name is Kevin Melksham from Charles Sturt University.
His contact numbers are

Mobile: 0412 705413
CSU 02 69335218
Home: 02 62864068

He suggested spraying the vines with Mancozeb or Scala at 5% capfall. The
disease which manifests itself as a disgusting looking orange coloured gunk
on the bunches is commonly called "ripe-rot" He believes it is
"collatatritum" (can't guarantee that I've spelt it correctly), the same
disease that affects mangos, bananas and avacadoes.

If you want to know more about it, ring Greg at night at home, or his mobile
number is 0409 243926.

Regards

Elaine.

Fairview Wines
422 Elderslie Road
Branxton Australia 2335
phone/fax 0249381116
fairviewwines@bigpond.com
www.fairviewwines.com.au


I have never personally come across this in olives, but it was a real
problem (I understand) with the wine grapes this year. A very wet, humid
Hunter Valley and well known as a high disease pressure area in wet years.

Regards,

Mike Wilson.
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