Fungal
Peach Leaf Curl
A fungal disease that infects peach and nectarine leaves at bud break, causing dramatic red-blistered curling of leaves which drop early, weakening the tree.
Symptoms to Look For
- Leaves emerging distorted, thickened, and puckered with red or yellow blistering
- Infected leaves gradually turning grey-white as spores form on the surface
- Early leaf drop followed by a second flush of (usually healthy) growth
Affected Plants
PeachNectarineAlmond
Organic Solutions
Copper spray at bud swell
Apply copper fungicide spray at bud burst (when buds are just starting to swell but not yet open) - this is the single most effective intervention.
Rain shelter
Erect a temporary clear polythene shelter over fan-trained trees from January through to May to prevent the rain splash that carries spores to buds.
Prevention
- Treat every year at bud swell even if the previous year was clean - spores survive on bark and buds
- Feed trees well with balanced nutrition to support a strong second growth flush after the infected leaves drop
Garden, by Willowbottom recommends only organic, wildlife-friendly solutions. No synthetic pesticides, no harmful chemicals - ever.