Pocket plum is a fungal disease that occurs infrequently and is more likely to be found in the north and west of the country.

The infected fruits are deformed, twisted and can be banana shaped. No stone develops within the fruit which is hollow, pale green and smooth. As the disease develops further the fruit becomes paler and shrivelled having a prune like appearance. A white layer of spores develops on the fruit which then completely shrivel and drop to the ground.

There are no chemical controls available for this disease. The affected plums should be removed and destroyed as soon as possible and ideally before they turn white.

Although the crop is reduced it is rare for all the fruit on the tree to be affected. Several years may elapse between attacks.