Content
- Diseases are the exception to rhubarb
- Assign the symptoms correctly
- Indirect control promises success
- Leaf spots rarely restrict harvest
- Tips & Tricks
Diseases are the exception to rhubarb
Despite the long culture, rhubarb is rarely affected by diseases. A serious threat in particular stems from rhubarb mosaic disease. Diagnosis and possible treatment are explained in the following lines.
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There are usually several viruses that trigger a mosaic disease of rhubarb. The content of toxic oxalic acid in the leaves disturbs the pathogens little. The symptoms are differentiated accordingly:
The viruses are introduced in a variety of ways. Young gardeners obtained by friendly hobby gardeners through division often harbor the long-lived viruses. Aphids and other sucking pests are also considered transmitters. A direct fight is not yet known.
Indirect control promises success
If the described symptoms of rhubarb mosaic disease come to light, only the immediate grubbing helps. So that it does not get that far, a transmission of the viruses should be prevented. Experts recommend taking the following measures:
If the rhubarb mosaic disease nevertheless spreads in your garden, remove all infested plants from the bed. Afterwards, the cultivation break will be extended from 5 to 7 years before you can plant rhubarb there again.
Leaf spots rarely restrict harvest
The common leaf spot disease (Ascochyta rhei) is similar to the onset of mosaic disease. The spots on the leaves have a brown center, surrounded by a red or yellow border. In the course of the brown dots fall out of the leaf tissue.
If the affected leaves are excised in time, the rods may still be harvested. Those who fail to clean the rhubarb from the diseased parts, risk complete death of the plant.
Tips & Tricks
The infection by fungal spores or viruses is a ubiquitous danger in the hobby garden. As a comprehensive tonic for the prevention of diseases of all kinds, makes Liverwort extract of talk. Germinated regularly on rhubarb as a youth, pathogens do not even settle. Even voracious snails go around the plants.
GTH