Sunscald
Bleached, papery or brown patches on leaves, stems or fruit that were suddenly exposed to strong sun or heat.
Also known as: Leaf scorch, Sunburn
Symptoms and identification
White, cream or tan patches appear on the sunny side of leaves, cactus stems or fruit. The patches dry out and may become papery or turn brown and crack. Damage often appears days after a plant is moved outdoors.
Causes
Strong sun on tissue that is not used to it: houseplants moved outside, plants moved to a sunnier spot, heavy pruning that exposes fruit, or a heatwave combined with dry soil.
Organic treatment
Move the plant to bright shade or put up shade cloth. Scorched leaves do not recover but can be left until new growth replaces them. Remove scalded fruit, which can rot.
Prevention
Move plants into stronger light gradually over one to two weeks. Use 30–50 percent shade net during heatwaves, keep the soil evenly moist, and avoid heavy pruning just before summer.
Chemical treatment (use with care)
Not needed.