Physiological plant disorder

Leaves and stems may turn black, and buds and flowers may be discoloured, and frosted blooms may not produce fruit.

Cold, drying easterly winds can also severely inhibit spring growth even without an actual frost, thus adequate shelter or the use of windbreaks is important.

Using mulches or adding organic matter such as leaf mold, compost or well rotted manure to the soil will help to act as a 'buffer' between sudden changes in conditions.

Hail can cause damage to soft skinned fruits, and may also allow brown rot or other fungi to penetrate the plant.

Brown spot markings or lines on one side of a mature apple are indicative of a spring hailstorm.

Poor growth and a variety of disorders such as leaf discolouration (chlorosis) can be caused by a shortage of one or more plant nutrients.