It is well known that peach trees are extremely susceptible to fungal diseases, especially the widespread curl disease. This infection with the fungus Taphrina deformans is manifested by typical leaf changes, ultimately leads to leaf loss and thus significantly weakens the tree.
Which sprays are suitable for peach trees?
There are various sprays for the peach tree: The herbal tonic Neudo-Vital fruit-fungal protection and the chemical Duaxo Universal fungus-free both offer protection against curl disease and other fungal infections. Organic alternatives include garlic, horsetail or nettle broth to combat fungi.
Preventive measures
Unfortunately, the curl disease can no longer be effectively treated once it has broken out. In addition, according to the current status (June 2015), only two sprays are approved for domestic use; there are significantly more in commercial peach cultivation. That's why you should focus more on prevention, which can look like this:
- Plant above all hardy peach varieties.
- In general, white-fleshed varieties are less sensitive than yellow-fleshed varieties.
- The fungus pathogen spreads mainly when it rains, so plant your peach tree in a place that is as sheltered as possible.
- A location with a roof or on the side of the house facing away from the rain would be well suited.
- Prune your peach tree regularly and ensure a light crown.
Preventive sprays
In addition, you can spray with a herbal tonic in February/March at the latest - especially if there was an infestation in the previous year, as the fungus overwinters on the tree - and thus significantly reduce the risk of infection. Spraying takes place as soon as it is warmer than 10 °C for several days in a row, which can happen as early as December. Inject the biological plant strengthener Neudo-Vital fruit-fungal protection (€21.00 at Amazon) when the buds begin to swell. The treatment should be carried out three to four times, approximately three weeks apart. The entire crown should be treated.
Duaxo Universal Fungus-Free is the only approved chemical agent
Duaxo Universal Fungus-free is the only plant protection product approved for home gardens. This should also be sprayed before the buds open, if possible three times in a row with an interval of 10 days each. However, the following precautionary measures must be followed:
- Wear protective clothing (old clothing, rubber boots, gloves) when spraying.
- Put on safety glasses.
- Do not work against the wind. Do not spray at all in strong winds.
- Do not smoke, eat or drink while injecting.
- Never blow out clogged spray nozzles with your mouth.
- Wash thoroughly after work.
- Do not dispose of spray residues via the sewage system.
Biological control agents
Since the sprays mentioned have only been approved since 2009, resourceful gardeners have discovered a number of biological options against the curl disease. Help against this fungal infection includes:
- an underplanting with garlic, horseradish or nasturtium
- spraying the tree with nettle, horsetail or garlic broth
Tips & Tricks
Remove infected leaves and twigs immediately and dispose of them with household waste. Don't throw them in the compost! This measure can contain the spread of the fungus.
