If the leaves on the apricot tree curl up, there is a good reason behind it. Read about common causes of curled apricot tree leaves here. What needs to be done now summarizes concrete tips for effective countermeasures.
Why do the leaves on the apricot tree curl up and what to do?
Rolled leaves on the apricot tree are often caused by phytoplasmosis ESFY (chlorotic leaf rolling). Other causes include curl disease, drought stress and fruit tree spider mites. Countermeasures include combating plum leaf suckers, regular watering and the use of natural pest control products.
Why do the leaves on the apricot tree curl up?
The common cause of curled leaves on the apricot tree is the viral infection phytoplasmosis ESFY (European Stonefruit Yellowing), also known aschlorotic leaf rolling Characteristic symptoms are leaves curled from the edge, sudden wilting and Rubber flow. The following overview summarizes further triggers for curled apricot tree leaves:
- Curling disease: deformed, whitish-red discolored leaves caused by the harmful fungus 'Taphrina deformans', blistered thickenings, velvety leaf coating.
- Drought stress: curled leaf edges, wilted leaves
- Fruit tree spider mites: initially leaf mottling and yellowing, later the leaves curl up, dry out and fall off.
What to do if the leaves on the apricot tree curl up?
The best remedy for chlorotic leaf rolling on the apricot tree is to combat theplum leaf sucker (Cacopsylla pruni) as a vector of the dreaded viral disease using adhesive and pheromone traps. You can do this to combat other causes of curled apricot tree leaves:
- Fight curl disease: cut off affected and dead plant parts, thin out the tree crown annually as a preventive measure and fertilize organically with compost in spring.
- Resolve drought stress: water thoroughly, immerse the apricot tree in the pot in water, from then on water when the soil is noticeably dry.
- Fighting fruit tree spider mites: Spray the tree crown repeatedly with soap-spirit solution or garlic decoction or Bio-Naturen-Pestfrei Forte.
Tip
Shotgun disease punctures apricot tree leaves
Shotgun disease has its sights set on your apricot tree. The fungal pathogens cleverly hibernate in the bark, in cuts and on fruit mummies. The disease spreads in the rainy spring at temperatures as low as 14° Celsius. Typical symptoms are reddish-brown leaf spots that die off and produce the damage that gives it its name. In the worst case scenario, this year's apricot harvest will fail. Radical pruning of infected shoots and spraying with horsetail broth keep the infestation under control.
