Adequately combat diseases of the firethorn

Content

• Adequately combat diseases of the firethorn
• Fungal attack by scab
• The damage picture
• The fight
• Infection with fire blight
• The damage picture
• The fight

Adequately combat diseases of the firethorn

The firethorn is one of the relatively resistant garden shrubs. With a good choice of location and not too wet ground, it thrives healthy and strong. Some varieties may be scabbed. Therefore, choose in advance a species that is robust against this fungus.

Next article The Propagation of the Firethorn

Fungal attack by scab

In wet weather conditions, the mycosis can spread epidemic. The mushroom spores overwinter both in the fruit, as well as in the bark and the fallen foliage of the firethorn. In spring, the young leaves and fresh shoots are first infected. As soon as the firethorn forms fruits, these also show the typical damage picture.

The damage picture

The berries become unsightly brown or gray and have a cracked, scurfy surface. The leaves show the typical gray-brown mushroom turf. The mycelium of the fungus pervades the entire leaf and parts of the cortex.

The fight

The long infection period makes it difficult to control the scab. It is usually impossible to pick off all affected leaves and flowers. Therefore, cut all affected branches deep into healthy wood. Since the mushroom spores also survive in compost, you must dispose of the removed parts of the plant in the household waste. So that the fungus is not transferred to other garden plants, you must then thoroughly disinfect the cutting tool.

In contrast, spraying with pesticides is not very promising.

When cutting, make sure that the trees are loose and permeable to air. So dripping water after rain showers can quickly evaporate and the risk of infection is minimized.

Infection with fire blight

Fire blight is increasingly spreading in some regions of Germany. Provided that these good living conditions find, it is impossible in the long term, the bacteria in the affected areas permanently keep away. Fire blaze spreads quickly over large areas and harms next to the firethorn and numerous fruit trees. Because of its dangerousness, this plant disease is notifiable.

The damage picture

In spring, the flowers and leaves of the firethorn wither and turn brown-black; they look like they're burned. The shoot tips typically bend down. At the infection sites of the shoots an initially colorless, later yellow-brown bacterial mucus emerges. In winter, dead spots appear on the trunks and branches of infested plants that resemble crabs.

The fight

There is no efficient pesticide against fire blight. In order to prevent the spread of the disease, the affected trees must be precisely cut out or cleared and destroyed by a specialist. The experts of the responsible Plant Protection Office inform about suitable measures.