- Small mushroom with big damage
- Identify powdery mildew as a disease on apple trees
- Get to grips with the powdery mildew fungus
- tips and tricks
Powdery mildew is one of the most well-known diseases on apple trees in this country. If signs of this disease can be found on an apple tree, quick action is required.
Small mushroom with big damage
The powdery mildew fungus, also known under the scientific name Podosphaera leucotricha, is rightly feared by hobby gardeners. This is primarily due to the massive speed with which the fungus can spread on a tree or in the neighborhood after the initial infection. If the fungal networks spread extensively on the leaves and shoot tips of the apple tree, the harvest or even the entire tree may fail altogether.
Identify powdery mildew as a disease on apple trees
Powdery mildew can be recognized by the following symptoms on the tree and on the fruit of the apple tree:
- by mealy coating on the branches
- by white, floury spots on the leaves
- with net-like cracks in the shade of the fruit
On closer inspection, the first signs of a primary infection with powdery mildew can already be seen with winter pruning. The fungus that hibernates on the buds and shoot tips leaves the scales of the buds slightly spread out. Infested areas should always be cut out as soon as possible down to the wood and slightly removed from the tree. However, the cut material can be composted in your own garden without any problems. In the spring there are signs of powdery mildew with a mealy coating on buds, young shoots and on the leaves. If left untreated, these spots will spread rapidly and gradually infect the entire tree.
Get to grips with the powdery mildew fungus
The treatment of powdery mildew on apple trees is basically possible with fungicides, but due to the high effort and the impairment of fruit and garden with the fungicides, this is only a last resort to save the trees in the event of a severe infestation. Prevention is much more important in private gardens and containment by a targeted cut. That's why you should regularly take a close look at your apple trees from the winter pruning onwards and cut out any infestation at an early stage.
tips and tricks
If the primary infection is cut out generously at an early stage, the secondary infection can spread far less severely during summer wind and rain phases.