Even apple trees are not spared from diseases. However, if detected early and treated in a targeted manner, the fruit tree can almost always be saved. You will also find valuable tips here on how you can effectively prevent fruit tree diseases.
Why is the apple tree sick?
Fungi or bacteriacan also affect theapple tree. One of the most common diseases is apple scab, which affects both the foliage and the fruit harms. Furthermore, apple powdery mildew, Monilia fruit rot or the dreaded fire blight can affect the fruit tree.
How do I recognize apple scab?
Apple scab (Venturia inaequalis) already appears during flowering, because thenolive green dots can be found on the leaves These enlarge, dry brown and lead to the typical leaf deformation. Heavily infected trees shed their leaves and are almost bare by August.
Apple scab also covers the still-growing fruits, whose shells develop hard spots with sunken tissue. They remain edible, but can no longer be stored. Putrefactive bacteria penetrate the cracked skin and the apples spoil quickly.
How to treat the apple tree sick with scab?
To prevent the spores of the causative fungus from spreading,remove infected leaves immediately.
- To control apple scab, you can apply horsetail broth containing silica.
- Carefully thinned and regularly cut apple trees are less likely to be attacked.
- Treat the tree with a fungicide before flowering.
- Since you have to continue spraying every two weeks until the end of July, you should change the preparation several times to prevent resistance (seek advice from a specialist retailer).
- Well-lit and regularly cut apple trees are less likely to be attacked.
How does an apple tree disease caused by powdery mildew manifest itself?
You can recognize powdery mildew (Podosphaera leucotricha) by thewhite, powdery coating on the leaves and twigs. The foliage dries up from the edge and the shoots stand noticeably upwards (mildew candles). The fruits have a net-like russeting.
Mildew can appear again and again over the course of a year. The fungus that causes it does not depend on damp weather and also germinates in dry weather.
How do I treat the apple tree affected by powdery mildew?
Any branchesshowing signs ofmildewshouldbe cut out quickly. This Clippings must not be put in the compost but must be disposed of in household waste.
If the infestation is severe, spray the apple tree once a week with a mixture of 100 milliliters of raw milk and 800 milliliters of water. If this measure does not bring the desired result, we recommend using a plant protection product approved for home gardens.
How do I recognize Monilia fruit rot and how do I treat it?
The treedrops the applesand you find them,covered in yellowish-brown mold spots,on the ground. Apples that are still hanging have a small amount of damage to the peel, through which the spores of the Monilia fungus could penetrate. As a result, the pulp becomes soft, ring-shaped spore pads develop, and the apple dries up and becomes leathery.
Carefully remove all infected fruits and fruit mummies in household waste.
What helps if the apple tree is affected by fire blight?
Unfortunately thefruit treein this casecan no longer be saved. The causative bacteria penetrate the apple tree and clog the ducts. Leaves and shoots look as if they have been burnt due to the resulting brown-black discoloration. Even if you cut all affected branches back deep into the he althy wood, the pathogen will come back.
Important: The infestation of the apple tree with fire blight must be reported to the responsible plant protection office.
Tip
Leaf spot diseases are mostly harmless
Leaves that have spots or discoloration are quite common on apple trees. A fungus of the genus Phyllosticta is almost always the trigger. Since these pathogens do not cause much damage, they do not need to be combated specifically. Proper pruning, regular fertilization and the location prevent leaf spot diseases. Also collect the infected leaves and dispose of them in the household waste.