Question
Fruit Salad tree
I have been having a yearly problem with my Fruit Salad tree (peach, apricot,& santa rosa plum branches). The leaves on one branch ( i think the peach) keep curling up then dropping off. There seems to be fruit developing though. I live in Stockton, CA and this tree is about seven years old. I havent been fertizing it...just keeping it watered. I have included a recent photo of one branch leaf. Cant figure out what to do to stop the disease from coming back year after year. My yard person in coming over today to apply some tobaco spray....dont know if it will work. Any suggestions ?
Thank you,
Vic Bernsdorff
AnswerVic:
This looks like a fungus disease called peach leaf curl (great picture!!). It is caused by a fungus that can be an issue on peaches.. Usually a single spray of a fungicide called Bravo during the dormant season just BEFORE leaves start forming should do it. Right now it is probably too late to do much good. When you spray, be sure to cover the entire tree good. The fungus spores overwinter in bark cracks and on leaf buds and infection takes place as leaves come out. Usually not lethal, unless it occurs during several seasons. To be most effect, you may need to wait until the beginning of next spring. In the meantime, make sure your tree gets good waterings and fertilizer during the season.
Steve
