The first symptoms of apple scab (Venturia inaequalis) are dark green leaf spots in spring, which spread to the gray-brown fungus lawn. In summer, brown, sunken, unappetizing scabs spoil ripening apples. Don't let the most common apple tree disease spoil your appetite. These tips reveal how to fight scab without poison.
Apple scab affects leaves and fruit
Organic horsetail spray combats apple scab
Spraying horsetail broth creates a natural protective film containing silicic acid on leaves and fruits. In this way, scab spores cannot find a target on the plant tissue. In contrast to chemical fungicides or sulphur, you can specifically combat apple scab with the organic spray in harmony with nature. The following instructions explain how to make horsetail brew yourself and how to use it correctly:
recipe
- Collect 1 kg of field horsetail (Equisetum arvense), chop it up and put it in a vat
- Pour 10 liters of water over it, preferably collected rainwater
- Stir in 2 handfuls of stone flour
- Cover the container with a jute sack (€10.99) or a used curtain
- Place in a sunny, warm location
- Stir daily for 14 days
- Sieve the horsetail brew and dispose of the fermented remains in the compost
application
Please dilute the highly concentrated horsetail brew with water in a ratio of 1:5. Now the organic spray is ready to use. The highest risk of infection is in the period between leaf sprouting and the end of flowering. Spray the crown of the apple tree with the decoction once a week.
A second time window with an increased risk of infection opens six to eight weeks before harvest. Repeat the fight with horsetail decoction so that the larger summer spores of apple scab do not spread to the fruit skin.
Preventing apple scab - tips & tricks
Fighting apple scab in the home garden is not a sprint, but a marathon. By taking effective preventive measures every year, you increase the effect of horsetail brew in the long term. The following tips give tried-and-tested precautions against nasty apple scab in the hobby garden:
- Remove fallen leaves and autumn leaves promptly (most dangerous source of infection)
- Water apple trees regularly with nettle manure
- Prune fruit tree every year for a light-filled crown
- Create a large tree disc and mulch with compost or withered grass clippings
- Underplant apple trees with garlic and chives
Penetrating scabs have a bad hand if the garden is populated with compost worms and other species. Scientists discovered that the fungal spores in the intestinal tract are destroyed by earthworms.
tips
Make a note of apple scab-resistant varieties in the planting plan if you create your own apple orchard. Recommended premium varieties are Retina, Rubinola and Topas. Among the classics, Boskoop, Jonagold and Cox Orange are well prepared against scab in sunny, airy locations.