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Peach
Feb 29, 2012 7:33:19 GMT
Post by steve on Feb 29, 2012 7:33:19 GMT
I have to disagree with part of that WF, mine has had leaf curl each year and has also had a good heavy crop each year of perfect fully formed peaches
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Peach
Feb 29, 2012 7:57:17 GMT
Post by Lou78W on Feb 29, 2012 7:57:17 GMT
That sounds encouraging ;D
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Peach
Feb 29, 2012 8:26:27 GMT
Post by wildlifefriendly on Feb 29, 2012 8:26:27 GMT
So you don't spray yours Steve? I wonder if it is regional, my Mum and Dad had one which never produced fruit because of leaf curl.
I'm feeling more confident of growing mine now, because of my parents tree, I thought all peach trees grown outside in this country were prone to it.
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Peach
Feb 29, 2012 8:47:23 GMT
Post by Rosie on Feb 29, 2012 8:47:23 GMT
I have seen on gardening shows that if the peach tree is against a wall, a sheet of polythene on a frame is stood in front of it to stop the spores getting to the tree when it rains. I'm not sure how you would work it if the tree is free standing. Mine were totally clean with being in the tunnel . If you make sure the blossom is pollinated i don't see why you shouldn't get a few this season ;D
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Peach
Feb 29, 2012 10:58:06 GMT
Post by wildlifefriendly on Feb 29, 2012 10:58:06 GMT
The fungus lives in the tree, it is dormant over winter and then springs to life in the spring.
Here is a very succinct article I found.
PEACH LEAF CURL Daniel R. Cooley Department of Microbiology University of Massachusetts Amherst, MA 01003
Introduction. Probably the most irritating thing about seeing the characteristic warty red leaves of peach leaf curl is realizing that it's already too late to do anything about the disease. The second most irritating thing is realizing that a single fungicide treatment would, in all likelihood, have prevented the outbreak. And to really frustrate growers, the disease often fails to appear for years, even without fungicide treatments, only to suddenly appear in epidemic proportions during a particularly wet, cool spring.
Disease Cycle. The fungus that causes peach leaf curl (Taphrina deformans) survives as spores in microscopic crevices on the tree. Spores from old infections lodge in loose bud scales and other tiny fissures, waiting for the next spring. Then, spores that are washed into buds or onto the first new leaves will cause infections if leaves stay wet and temperatures are between 50º and 70º F. Wet, cool springs keep peach growth slow, so new buds and leaves remain susceptible for a long time, and heavy leaf-curl will develop in untreated peaches. A warm spring, even if it is wet, won't produce nearly as much disease.
Once the fungus is in the leaf tissue, fungicides won't effect it. Infected leaves characteristically have reddened warts or curling. Leaves may also appear yellow, orange or purple. Infections of the new twig tissue cause swelling. In rare instances, fruit may be infected, and develop raised, wart-like growths.
As the leaf infections age, they turn gray and appear powdery. The fungus produces spores, which break through the leaf surface, causing the powdery appearance. These spores don't cause new infections, but rest in protected areas on the peach tree until the next. Infected leaves generally drop in early summer. Treatment. Leaf curl is relatively easy to prevent, even though the timing of the treatment is a little inconvenient. A fungicide spray applied in the autumn after at least 90% leaf-fall, or in the spring just prior to bud-swell, will generally stop leaf curl. If an orchard has been heavily diseased, making both fungicide applications may be necessary to deal with the large amount of inoculum. The fungicide applications should not be concentrated to more than 2X, to insure that the coverage is thorough. Fungicides need to penetrate the microscopic crevices that are protecting the fungal spores.
The most effective fungicides are chlorothalonil (Bravo) or copper compounds (Kocide, COCS, etc.). Ziram, lime sulfur or Bordeaux are useful but somewhat less effective. Check the label for rates and other use recommendations.
For the growing season when a leaf curl epidemic hits, the only treatment is to minimize stress on the infected trees. After infected leaves drop, peaches will generally produce new leaves. This new growth stresses the tree. In severe cases canker infections develop more easily and trees may fail to develop adequate winter hardiness. Severe leaf curl can ruin one season's crop, and may set the stage for more long-term problems related to stress. Minimize the stress by supplying some extra fertilizer, particularly nitrogen, irrigating, and removing the fruit load.
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Peach
Feb 29, 2012 12:46:56 GMT
Post by steve on Feb 29, 2012 12:46:56 GMT
No never treated it but may have to as it gets bigger ;D
Bought it about 5 years ago, it was supposed to be a nectarine but eventually had furry peaches, on close inspection the graft had failed and the stock had grown through it, and luckily the stock (no idea of variety) has been the most prolific I have seen, it might just be manageable to remove infected leaves again this year as its not too big yet
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Peach
Feb 29, 2012 16:33:32 GMT
Post by wildlifefriendly on Feb 29, 2012 16:33:32 GMT
My tree says it is grown on a natural root stock "Prunus Persica", perhaps this is what your tree is I found this info, it seems the tree can produce nectarines or peaches, it is all to do with a gene. The nectarine characteristic is controlled by a single recessive gene. In order for a tree to be a nectarine type, it has to receive the nectarine gene "g" from both parents. The cross between two nectarines will always result in nectarine offspring. Most peaches are homozygous for "G", the peach characteristic. Two peach varieties that have a single nectarine gene are Autumnglo and Encore.
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Peach
Mar 5, 2012 12:53:57 GMT
Post by Rosie on Mar 5, 2012 12:53:57 GMT
I'm a bit of a "peach virgin" too........Mine is in a pot at home, beside the greenhouse.....reasonably sheltered.....perhaps I should move it to the polytunnel at the lottie? I think thats safest Lou, you can see the buds fattening up on mine now ;D
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Peach
Mar 5, 2012 16:30:20 GMT
Post by Lou78W on Mar 5, 2012 16:30:20 GMT
I'll do that soon....its time I got in there for a bit of sowing of seed and preparing the beds for the toms etc.,...etc
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