This disease affects a wide range of plants but is particularly destructive to soft fruits (such as grapes), pome fruits (such as pears) and stone fruits (such as apricots) and some flowers (including roses).  It is caused by a fungal disease which appears as a tan, brown mould that produces masses of spores. The infected fruit has the trademark look of mummified fruit which is either on the tree or fallen to the ground.

Monitoring trees before the fungal disease takes hold is a good way of preventing or reducing it. Remove rotten fruit from the ground and tree and prune to remove diseased and dead foliage. This also opens the tree to the sun and air movement and can delay the disease even further.

Once it takes hold control includes continuing to remove affected flowers or fruit and spraying with a fungicide such as copper. Winter spraying of deciduous fruiting plants can help avoid or reduce the problem the following season.

A healthy garden can also help prevent disease infestation. If your plants are strong and healthy, they may be able to handle and reduce the stress of pests and diseases. Applying Seasol regularly every two weeks during the year can help them to cope with environmental stress. Keeping plants fed with fertilisers such as PowerFeed All Purpose including Natives, better watering and appropriate light exposure can also help build tougher plants.