Combat crimp disease in peach

Content

• Combat crimp disease in peach
• Rippling disease leads to leaf loss
• Ragweed disease has serious consequences in the following year
• Prevention through correct location
• Preventively inject in spring
• Prevention by resistant peach varieties
• Tips & Tricks

Combat crimp disease in peach

The curling disease caused by the fungus Taphrina deformans is very common in peaches. The disease weakens the plant, resulting in reduced growth and crop loss. Once the disease has broken out, it can no longer be fought in the current season. Only preventive measures are effective.

Early article Common diseases of the peach tree and their treatment Next article Multiply peach tree by refining

Rippling disease leads to leaf loss

Mostly, the pathogen mushroom nests in the leafy and flower buds of peaches, nectarines, apricots and almond trees in wet winter months. When budding, the leaves curl - at this stage, they are easily confused with an aphid infestation - and eventually develop yellow-green to reddish discoloration and blisters. In the further course of the disease, the peach tree throws off the diseased leaves and thus weakens, since sufficient photosynthesis is no longer possible. In some cases, branches are affected, which then die and must be cut out. In contrast, fruits are rarely attacked.

Ragweed disease has serious consequences in the following year

The consequences of this fungal infection, however, are much more serious in the following year: Newly grown shoots appear compressed, leaves hardly develop and, if so, only crippled. Flowers and fruits are also rarely set and if they fall off after a short time. The causative fungus Taphrina deformans, genetically related to the causative agent of fool or pocket disease in plums, overwinters as a fungus (mycelium) on the branches, branches and buds of peach trees. As soon as it gets warmer (at about 10 ° C), the mycelium disintegrates into tiny cells, which are flushed into the buds by rain, infecting them. In the further course, finally, the new shoots are attacked.

Prevention through correct location

One of the most important preventative measures is choosing the right location. Peaches are sun worshipers, so need a sunny and sheltered place in the garden. Since the fungus is mainly spread by penetrating rainwater, the peach tree should as possible at a rain-protected place -. B. under a canopy - are. However, it should be noted that this must not cast a shadow. In addition, the crown should be kept as light as possible by regular pruning so that the leaves dry off more quickly after a rainstorm. Regular but moderate fertilization strengthens the resistance of the peach tree.

Preventively inject in spring

The ruffling disease is treatable only as long as the buds are not yet broken - ergo are measures after flowering or the appearance of the first symptoms simply ineffective. Instead, preventive treatment should take place from the middle of January to the end of January, but not later than February (depending on weather conditions). Do the following:

Prevention by resistant peach varieties

Since prevention is better than cure, you should preferably plant peach varieties that naturally have a higher resistance to ruffling. Basically, all white-fleshed varieties are less susceptible to disease, since they were mostly bred for cultivation in our latitudes. Suitable varieties are u. a.

Tips & Tricks

Proper watering prevents diseases, do not spray leaves with water, just water the soil.