The emergence of fungal diseases
Fungal spores prefer to spread in windy and rainy weather. You need warm temperatures for growth. Such climatic conditions prevail in summer in locations that are not exposed to direct sun.
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The spores prefer to colonize sick or weakened plants, because here they find numerous opportunities to grow. Damage to the bark, leaves or buds provide the spores with an ideal breeding ground. Whether a shrub is infected by a fungal disease also depends on the variety. Older varieties often have developed a defense system against the diseases and are less susceptible than new varieties.
These factors favor a fungal attack:
- Lack of light
- too dense plant stands
- Nutrient deficiency due to incorrect fertilization
Frequent fungal attack from apple scab and leaf tan
In apple scab, the fungal spores cause a greenish to greyish discoloration of the leaves, which occurs in the form of spots. This fungal disease is spreading rapidly because the spores are formed asexually. A strong fungal attack causes the tissue of the leaf cells to die. The spores spread in rainy and windy weather.
The leaf tan also causes blotchy discoloration on the leaves. The fungal attack results in reddish or black spots. This disease does not lead to leaf death. Fall foliage carries a higher risk of infection, as this is where the spores feel particularly comfortable and settle.
Control measures
Cut off the infected parts of the plant. To prevent the spores from spreading further, do not dispose of the remains on the compost. A fungicide containing copper removes possible spore residues on the plants. This remedy is effective for leaf tan diseases. You can fight apple scab with a triforin-based spray solution.
Strengthen your loquat with an extract Field horsetailwhich you add to the irrigation water. Alternatively, nettle manure or a garlic clove approach is suitable. You can spray the solutions directly onto the infected leaves using a spray bottle. The nettle manure inhibits the fungal spores in the event of an infestation, while regular spraying with garlic in spring has a preventive effect.
