Recognize & combat frizziness in peaches

The peach tree is often affected by curl disease. We show you how to recognize the symptoms and which sprays are effective against the fungus.

Frizzy Disease: Damage and Symptoms

The frizz disease, which especially the peach tree (Prunus persica) is relatively easy to identify due to the damage it causes. The first symptoms can show up in the first few spring months, as the peach only needs a short hibernation and sprouts early. If the newly formed leaves are vesicularly thickened deformations with discoloration from whitish-green to red, then it is most likely the curl disease. In addition to the symptoms just mentioned, there are other abnormalities that are caused by the curl disease. As the name of the disease suggests, the leaves can "curl up" or curl down. In addition, an unsightly, velvety coating can form on the leaves and, as the disease progresses, the leaves turn black and dry up until they finally fall off. Flowers, fruits and young branch shoots are also more rarely affected by the disease. The fruits can have a cork-like surface with cracks and fall off prematurely.

Curl disease causative agent

The frizz disease (Taphrina deformans) is a cucumber and shares this classification with other mushrooms such as yeast and mold, but the tasty truffles also belong to this classification.

In addition to the peach, the fungus also affects other related tree species such as the almond tree in rare cases. The disease is spread by fungal spores, which can travel long distances in the wind. In addition to being spread by the wind, raindrops can also contribute to the distribution of the spores. The energy when a raindrop "hits" is sufficient to throw the tiny spores off the ground. Once the spores have found a suitable host, they can overwinter in the buds or in the bark. As soon as the temperatures exceed 8 ° C in spring and the leaves are wet from rain, the fungal spore can germinate and attack the newly sprouted leaves. The fungus then multiplies on the infected leaves and the symptoms mentioned above appear more or less pronounced, depending on how severe the attack is. If the infested leaves of the peach tree have died and fallen off, a renewed infestation in the same year is not to be expected. However, the fungus survives on the tree or in the ground and will lead to a new infection in the next year in cool and humid weather.

Preventive measures

If one of your peach trees is obviously affected by the ripple disease, first of all you have to stay calm. As a rule, the disease does not lead to a total loss of the harvest and the peach tree can form new healthy leaves and recover after the infected leaves have been shed. Even if the deformed blistered leaves on your tree are not eye candy, leave the infested leaves on the tree until they fall off by themselves.

First, the fungus persists in tiny cracks in the bark or in the buds, making it impossible to remove all of the infected parts from your tree. Second, the pruning creates wounds and through these entry ports new diseases can infect your already weakened tree. If the infected leaves have come off by themselves, they don't belong in the compost, but in the residual waste. The fungal spores of the curl disease can persist in the compost for a long time and infect plants again from there.

If you are thinking about getting a new peach tree, it would be wise to look at the different varieties. In general, white-fleshed peaches are not as sensitive to the frizz disease. The tolerant varieties also include `Fidela`, Amsden,` Roter Ellerstädter` or the `Weinbergpfeach`. A completely resistant variety is not yet known. Some dealers offer the variety `Revita` and advertise it as resistant to it Taphrina deformans. However, the resistance has not been proven, which is why one should remain skeptical about such advertising promises.

In addition to all the good advice, it helps if your peach tree is in a sunny and airy location with a good supply of nutrients.

How to fight frizz disease

An effective control of the frizz disease is unfortunately not that easy. If symptoms of the pathogen are already visible, then it is already too late for plant protection measures. Effective plant protection is then only possible again in the next spring before the buds swell. The swelling can be followed better if some buds are sprayed over with paint. If the layer of paint cracks, the bud will begin to grow and at this point in time the plant must be protected. Unfortunately, at the moment there are no biological agents with a proven effect on the frizz disease. A plant-strengthening spray with horsetail tea or underplanting with nasturtiums, garlic and horseradish can definitely not do any harm and is sometimes recommended. Here you should gather your own experience in relation to biological plant protection.

The following products have proven themselves in our garden:

• COMPO Duaxo Universal mushroom-free: Fully systemic fungicide spray; Reliably protects against new infestation and stops the spread
• NEUDORFF Fungisan Free from roses and vegetables: Plant protection agent that is gentle on beneficial organisms and does not pose a risk to bees with very good long-term effects

It should be noted that several sprayings are necessary in the spring if the weather continues to be damp. Ultimately, however, it is of course up to you whether you want to use a biological or chemical pesticide to combat frizziness.

Another disease that peach trees often struggle with is peak drought caused by the Monilia pathogen. In our article we explain how to Recognize, fight and prevent Monilia can.