One of the most troublesome diseases of peaches is peach leaf curl caused by the fungus Taphrina deformans. Its symptoms are visible during the growing season.On the shoots you can observe deformed, clearly curledleaves. The leaf blade is initially light green, then turns brown and dries up.
This disease occurs only on peaches and can lead to a significant reduction in the amount of harvested fruits.If it is not controlled after a few years, the leaves of the affected trees are smaller and smaller, the fruit is smaller, the bark begins to peel off and fall off wooden. The trunk may crack. Flowers die early and fall off.
Symptoms on fruits are very rare and imperceptible. The tree is more sensitive to low temperatures and other infections. The protection of the peach from this disease requires careful observation of the tree and nature.The main mistake made by gardeners who grow peaches is to perform chemical treatments too late.
It should be remembered that when the first leaves appear, infection occurs and chemical treatments will not bring the desired effect.Spraying should be carried out during the leafless period of the tree, i.e. bud expansion phase).
Early spring treatments can be performed even in February, if the temperature exceeds 5ºC. The list of plant protection products registered against peach leaf curl is long and one of them is sure to be found at any garden center. Remember that we use copper fungicides in the fall, while the remaining ones just before bud break.The treatment must be performed very carefully. The solution of the spray liquid should be applied to the tree from the base of the trunk to the tips of individual twigs, because spores can winter on practically the entire surface of the tree.
Sometimes gardeners calling the editorial office during office hours ask if removing infected leaves is an ad hoc way to reduce the disease.Theoretically, such an effect may occur, but not until the next year.However, it is important to remove the leaves before the so-called leaves appear on them. sacks with sacral fungus spores. You can then observe a delicate wax coating on the leaves.
Spores are washed away with rainfall, and the spores "stick" to the bark and hibernate in this form until spring.Therefore, removing the leaves at a later time practically does nothing, because the spores are already waiting for spring.
