We only like its spherical, yellow fruits. On the other hand, small creatures - known to gardeners as pests - nibble on the whole tree. Which species are common that we discover in the Mirabelle plum and, above all, have to fight?
Lice of all kinds love mirabelle plums
pouch gall mite
An infestation with the bag gall mite can be easily recognized by the damage pattern. The leaves of the Mirabelle tree are affected. Since the tree spends the winter leafless, the symptoms do not appear until spring:
- greenish growths in spring
- on leaf undersides and leaf edges
- they are referred to as galls
- by summer they turn reddish
To a certain extent, the tree owner can face the pest idly and calmly. However, if it shows up for several years in a row, urgent control is advisable. Corresponding plant protection products based on rapeseed oil are commercially available.
aphids
Several species of lice have their sights set on the mirabelle plum tree. Anyone who does not associate this pest with the plum tree will probably only become aware of it when the leaves are clearly marked by the infestation. They bend or curl up.
An older tree that receives good care and has already been able to develop good resistance will usually survive the lice invasion without serious disadvantages. Therefore, the garden owner does not necessarily have to do anything about it.
But lice are also carriers of diseases, such as the dangerous Sharka disease, for which there is no cure. If you want to minimize this danger, take action against lice. A small infestation can be fought well with natural enemies, for example with the hoverfly. Before you resort to chemicals in the event of a severe infestation, spray the tree with ecologically harmless nettle juice.
frost moth
It is not the winter moth itself that harms the plum tree, but its offspring. The voracious green caterpillars have their sights set on young leaves and shoot tips in spring. The feeding sites are numerous and large so that they cannot be overlooked. If the caterpillars are active in large numbers, even defoliation cannot be ruled out.
You can preventively protect the mirabelle tree in autumn, so you don't have to resort to pesticides in summer. For this purpose, a glue ring is attached to the trunk, which prevents the flightless winter moth females from climbing. They cannot get into the treetop to mate there. Consequently, no caterpillars can hatch.
tips
Check the glue ring regularly to make sure it is not dried out or dirty. If necessary, replace it promptly.