Leaves turn red and curl on an apple tree: how to process and what to do
The most common plant in summer cottages is an apple tree. Everyone expects a bountiful harvest from her. But it happens that red leaves begin to appear on the tree, which curl. This causes justified concern for gardeners. The affected foliage affects the growth of the plant and prevents it from developing properly. At the first sign, you need to understand the reasons. Then understand how to process the leaves on the apple tree when they turn red and curl.
Disease symptoms and visual signs
If the leaves are curled, then you should pay close attention to the tree. By this, it informs that the work of the organs has been disturbed. Lesions are examined to determine the cause. If at the same time the leaves dry and turn red - this is a sure sign that:
- Pests appeared on the plant;
- culture got sick.
It can also be caused by improper care.
Common causes of illness
At the first sign, you should figure out why the leaves are curling. A common cause of deformation is recurrent frosts. If the leaves bubble when curled, then they have come under the influence of cold. The plant will deal with this problem on its own.
Nutritional deficiency
Mineral deficiency may be the cause. Once you figure out which nutrient is missing, it's easy to fix the problem with nutrition.
Potassium deficiency
If there is not enough potassium, the leaves change color to brown. This phenomenon is often observed in plants planted in sandy soil.Also, a lack of potassium affects the premature loss of foliage in the autumn and provokes the drying of the tops of the tree. Solve this problem easily by feeding with potash fertilizers.
Phosphorus deficiency
Affects the reproductive process of the tree - flowering and fruiting. In a plant with a deficiency of phosphorus in the spring, buds do not appear for a long time and new shoots do not grow. The culture does not bloom for a long time, and there is a weak increase on the branches. The fruits fall prematurely. Foliage turns red and curls.
Magnesium deficiency
The plant turns red from below. The foliage changes color and is shed early. Magnesium deficiency will cause the plant to not prepare for frost. In cold winters, there is a greater chance of tree loss.
Mechanical deformation of the bark
On the branches, the foliage turns red from mechanical damage. It is necessary to inspect the stem well. If glass, wire or film is stuck in the bark, then the residues should be removed. Wounds are treated with an antiseptic, and then smeared with garden pitch.
Incompatibility of rootstock and scion
Incompatibility is an incorrect fusion of scion and rootstock, which is characterized by thickening at the grafting site and leaf disease. Incompatibility can appear at any age. This is the most hopeless case, since the tree will have to be dug up and destroyed. It cannot be treated.
Red-gall aphid
Red gall aphid is a common cause of curling and reddening of foliage. The pest feeds on the juice of the culture, which depletes it. As a result, the leaves take the shape of a boat and fall off. Soon the tree becomes completely bare.
Detect parasites easily. A sure sign is a red, embossed formation on a leaflet, resembling an oblong roller. The affected leaf curls and leans down.
In a season, an insect gives 4 generations. Pests constantly live on the tree.The eggs are laid under the bark. In spring, they transform into larvae that move to the underside of the leaf. Aphids affect not only green foliage, but also fruits. Red spots are easy to spot on fruit.
Replenishing nutrients
Determining the cause of twisting and changing the color of the foliage, fertilizing is carried out:
- To replenish phosphorus, use bone meal, ammophoska or superphosphate. Top dressing is applied in the autumn period under the root of the plant.
- Magnesium sulfate and magnesium sulfate will help increase the magnesium content. The crop is sprayed with preparations 3 times per season.
You can't overdo it when replenishing the deficiency of elements. An excess of minerals will negatively affect the yield and he alth of the foliage.
How to treat a damaged tree
In August, the deformation of the foliage may be associated with the July drought, as a result of which the root system was damaged. This problem is easily solved by regular watering. If diseases and insects are not detected, watering is sufficient, and the foliage continues to turn red and curl, then moles may be the cause. They damage the root system of the tree, so you need to get rid of the pest as soon as possible.
The fight against the disease will be effective if it is started in time. Processing begins in early spring, while the kidneys are in a dormant state. Spray the plant with a chemical preparation and install a trapping belt that prevents insects from settling on the crop.
You need to know what to do if the tree is infested with aphids. Treated with:
- "Nitrofen";
- Aktellik;
- "Iskra";
- Aktara.
Affected tree is treated at least twice a season. Cannot be processed when fruits are formed and at the time of flowering.
How to treat red dots
Red dots indicate an infectious disease. Spots treated with fungicides:
- Bordeaux blend;
- Hom;
- "Kuproksat";
- Cumulus;
- Strobe;
- Quick.
The last treatment is carried out 45 days before the fruit ripens.
How to treat plaque
At the beginning of the growing season, the plant is treated with a copper preparation. Then it is recommended to use the Horus fungicide. It systemically penetrates and spreads through the foliage. Has a healing and protective effect for 2 weeks.
Treat swelling on the leaves
Convex red spots on the leaves indicate a lack of mineral fertilizers. Feed the plant and get rid of aphids.
Preventive seasonal treatments
For prevention, the plant is treated with insecticides until the buds swell and during the appearance of the first leaves. Then repeat the process after flowering. The drugs are alternated so as not to be addictive. In the summer, processing is carried out as necessary. In autumn, they are sprayed with preparations before the trunks turn white. 45 days before the technical maturity of the fruit, all treatments are stopped.
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