If the apple tree leaves its leaves drooping, this is a sad sight that causes concern among some garden owners. In many cases this is unfounded and a little care will quickly restore a he althy appearance. However, there could also be a disease in the tree.
Why does the apple tree let its leaves droop?
The apple tree may only havestress due to droughtor extreme heat. However, diseases such ascollar rot, tip blight or fire blight,can also be responsible for the drooping leaves. In all cases, the cause is a lack of moisture supply to the foliage.
Why does drought cause limp leaves?
If the apple tree is under drought stress,triesitto reduce the transpiration areaandleaves the leaves hangingIt loses vitality, can no longer bind as much carbon dioxide and filters the air more poorly. In addition, only trees that have enough water available produce beautiful fruits.
That's why it's important to water the apple tree sufficiently during long dry periods. A commercially available irrigation bag (€15.00 on Amazon) is ideal for this, as it releases a large amount of water directly into the root area, continuously over several hours.
How does collar rot manifest itself and how is it treated?
If the apple tree wilts and begins to die, thePhytophthora pathogen that destroys the pathwaysmay be the cause. Oftenat the same time waterlogging in the root area weakens the tree. This allows the fungal spores to actively swim to the fine roots, penetrate them and grow into the trunk as mycelium.
Apple trees that grow in heavy soils mostly suffer from collar rot. Therefore, improve the soil with compost when planting. You should also keep the grass growth on the root disc low.
What is lace drought and how do I combat it?
TheMonilia Lace Droughtmanifests itself insagging foliage that then turns brown. The fungus that causes it grows inside the branches of the Shoot tips spread further and lead to the death of entire branch areas.
- Cut the affected branches twenty to thirty centimeters deep into the he althy wood.
- Remove all fruit mummies.
- Sprays are only necessary in exceptional cases.
Copper agents have proven themselves as biological fungicides. Apply as soon as the first flowers open, during full bloom and after flowering.
Does the apple tree lose its leaves when there is fire blight?
Fire blight is avery dangerous, notifiable diseaseof the apple tree that occurs in theearly stageinitiallyhanging, wilting leavescaused. As a result, the entire shoots turn brown-black, so that they appear burned.
Unfortunately, it is rarely possible to help a tree suffering from this disease-like disease. Cut all infected branches back deep into he althy wood and burn them. Thoroughly disinfect the tools used afterwards.
Tip
Keep apple trees he althy
To avoid diseases, you should preferably plant resistant apple varieties. Check your tree regularly for changes so that you can take immediate countermeasures if there are any abnormalities. It is also important to water the fruit tree sufficiently and ensure a good supply of nutrients.