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Peach Leaf Curl: A Guide for Young Gardeners
What is Peach Leaf Curl?
Peach leaf curl is a common fungal disease that affects peach trees. It is caused by airborne fungal spores that land on buds and infect newly-emerging leaves in spring. The fungus feeds on the young leaves and affects their development, causing them to become distorted and puckered.
Symptoms of Peach Leaf Curl
- Distorted and puckered peach tree leaves
- Leaves may have a bronzed or reddish color
- Premature flower and fruit drop
- Death of the tree may eventually result
How to Treat Peach Leaf Curl Organically
There are several organic methods you can use to treat peach leaf curl:
- Remove infected leaves: As soon as you see infected leaves, remove them from the tree, along with any infected flowers and fruit.
- Clear up fallen leaves: Clear up any infected, fallen leaves around the base of the tree.
- Cover trees with polythene sheet: In January and February, cover fence or wall-trained trees with a polythene sheet to prevent the development of the fungus.
- Erect an open-sided ‘tent’: Alternatively, you can erect an open-sided ‘tent’ over bushes in the open garden.
- Mulch around the base of trees: Mulch around the base of trees with garden compost to maintain general health.
- Water well in dry summer weather: Water peach trees well during dry summer weather.
- Avoid over-feeding with nitrogen fertilizer: Avoid over-feeding peach trees with nitrogen fertilizer.
How to Prevent Peach Leaf Curl
In addition to treating peach leaf curl, there are also several things you can do to prevent it:
- Choose resistant varieties: Choose peach tree varieties that are resistant to peach leaf curl.
- Plant in well-drained soil: Plant peach trees in well-drained soil to avoid waterlogged conditions that favor the fungus.
- Prune trees regularly: Prune peach trees regularly to improve air circulation and reduce the risk of infection.
- Avoid overhead watering: Avoid overhead watering, which can splash fungal spores onto the leaves.
- Clean pruning tools: Always clean your pruning tools with a disinfectant to prevent the spread of the fungus.
Additional Tips
- If you have a severe case of peach leaf curl, you may need to use a chemical fungicide. However, always follow the instructions on the label carefully.
- Peach leaf curl is most common in cool, wet springs.
- The fungus can survive on fallen leaves and branches, so it is important to clean up any infected plant material.
- Peach leaf curl can weaken trees and make them more susceptible to other pests and diseases.
By following these tips, you can help to protect your peach trees from peach leaf curl and keep them healthy and productive.
