In a favorable location, red currants are easy to care for and rarely get sick. However, in wet summers and with poor care, fungal infestation or other diseases are more common. This is how you can tell what the red currant is missing.

Discoloration on the leaves can be a sign of disease

Diseases more common in redcurrants

Even if the red currant is basically robust, a bad location and too much moisture make it difficult. In this case, fungal diseases are often observed. The most common diseases include:

  • leaf fall disease
  • dieback
  • nettle leafiness
  • mildew
  • column grate
  • Colletotrichum fruit rot

Small overview of diseases

illness symptoms leaves symptoms shoots trigger treatment particularities
leaf fall disease brown dots, roll up, fall off Shoots sometimes brown mushrooms Cut off shoots after a wet spring
dieback no leaf development does not sprout, shoots die off different causes Cut off shoots frequent parasite infestation
nettle leafiness leaf discoloration few flowers gall midges Cut off shoots cut back heavily in autumn
mildew whitish coating none mushrooms cut affected parts treat with diluted milk
column grate red-orange pustules none mushrooms Cut off shoots Cut down pine trees in the area
Colletotrichum fruit rot none turn brown and dry up mushrooms Cut, treat with nettle decoction Berries turn light and dry up

There isn't much you can do about pillar rust. The fungal spores overwinter in pine trees. To prevent redcurrant disease, all pine trees in the area would have to be felled.

Prevention is better than cure

So that the red currant does not get sick in the first place, make sure it is in a good location. The soil should be neither too wet nor too dry.

Prune the red currant twice a year, once right after harvest and a second time in the fall.

Light up the shrub well. This makes it harder for pathogens to spread.

Pests are also responsible for diseases

There are a number of pests that affect redcurrants. Therefore, examine the bushes at regular intervals. This effectively prevents a severe infestation.

tips

Never dispose of diseased plant parts such as leaves, fruit mummies or cut shoots in the compost. This spreads the diseases to other, healthy plants. Throw the leftovers in the household rubbish bin or burn them if this is permitted in your region.

Category:

Vegetable garden