The best measures to combat powdery mildew on gooseberries and currants
 Mealy dew on gooseberry

Any disease reduces the yield of gooseberries by almost half, and sometimes the infection causes the death of the plant. The earlier treatment is started, the less harm will be. It is even better to carry out preventive measures in a timely manner and to provide appropriate conditions for the cultivation of fruit bushes. One of the most dangerous diseases is powdery mildew, the control measures with which we will consider in the article.

Signs of powdery mildew on gooseberries and currants

One of the most dangerous diseases is powdery mildew. Affected area covers leaves of bushes, tops of shoots, buds and berries. It is possible to save currants and gooseberries when diagnosing the problem early and choosing the right method of treatment.

White bloom in the form of a spider web appears on the underside of foliage. Over time, the focus expands, spreading to the stalks, shoots and apical greens. The layer of whitish spots is compacted, it is not possible to remove it mechanically.

 Powdery Dew on Gooseberry Berries
Powdery Dew on Gooseberry Berries

The leaf of the affected shrub soon spins, becomes similar to the boat, loses its color. Berries do not ripen, first shrivel, and then just crumble. The patient's shoot is deformed, there is a slowdown in development, shortening of internodes. The plant without treatment gradually weakens and often does not tolerate wintering.

It is impossible to eat the affected berries of a currant or a gooseberry.

Sources of infection of bushes and berries with powdery mildew

The insidiousness of powdery mildew is in the way of dispute transfer. They can get on fruit bushes. using wind or insects. Warm weather and humidity contribute to the development of fungus. Favorable time for intensive reproduction of microorganisms is considered early summer.

A glut of soil with nitrogenous fertilizers can also provoke the development of powdery mildew. Therefore, before applying various nutrient mixtures it is necessary to strictly adhere to the dosage when preparing the working solution or introducing granules into the soil.

The danger of infection increases with excessive pruning of shrubs. The main mistake is allowed when removing extra shoots, when the place of the cut made above the set level remains unprocessed. Various microorganisms penetrate there, among which may be fungal spores.

Red and white currant varieties less likely to be affected powdery mildew, than bushes with black berries.

Methods and measures to combat with drugs and folk remedies

Methods of dealing with powdery mildew, there are many. Along with folk remedies are widely used biological agents and fungicides.

 If signs of disease are found, affected shoots should be removed immediately.
If signs of disease are found, affected shoots should be removed immediately.

If signs of disease are found remove affected shoots from the bush. This should be done carefully so that the spores do not settle on the surface of the soil. In the ground, they can easily survive the severe frosts and become more active at the beginning of the summer season. Cut branches better burn.

Before the beginning of the flowering period and after harvesting Shrubs are treated with special preparations:

  • Topsin M (10 g. Per bucket of water);
  • Topaz (8-15 ml per 10 l of water);
  • Saprol (up to 20 ml per bucket of water);
  • Strobe (2 g. Per 10 liters of water).

More gentle treatment provides for the use of the following tools:

  • soda solution (50 g. soda ash, 20 g. grated household soap, 10 l of water);
  • slurry diluted with water (proportions 1: 3);
  • solution based on 1% potassium salt (per 10 liters of water 100 g. salt);
  • a mixture of whey (3 l), water (7 l), a teaspoon of copper sulfate;
  • solution of potassium permanganate (1.5 gr.10 liters of water).
Non-chemical procedure is performed even in the period of ripening berries.

Rules for processing currants and gooseberries:

  • spray the bushes need from all sides (not limited to the affected area);
  • working solution should fall on the upper and lower sides of the leaves;
  • the procedure should be carried out in dry weather in the evening;
  • regular spraying - splash 1 time in 4-7 days (until the white bloom completely disappears).

It is recommended to use for work spray gun or brush with soft long bristles.

What to treat for the prevention of disease

 Treating bushes is only effective on small beds.
Treating bushes is only effective on small beds.

There are many ways to fight the disease and most of them are effective when using on small beds. If berry bushes are grown in large quantities, then it is quite difficult to overcome the intensively growing fungus. Therefore, regular preventive measures are considered to be the best defense against powdery mildew.

  • Pruning shrubs at the end of each season.
  • Treatment of gooseberry and currant in early spring with a solution of copper sulfate. The procedure is combined with soil disinfection.
  • Timely watering and fertilizing helps to strengthen the immune system. Healthy plants better resist diseases and pests.
  • For each period of the season, it is necessary to apply appropriate fertilizers: in the spring - nitrogen fertilizers, during the growing season - phosphorus-potassium; in the fall - organic.
  • Periodically (1 time in 7-10 years) is necessary change landing place shrubs. Long-term growth in one area greatly depletes the soil, top dressing does not have a regenerating effect.
  • When buying seedlings give preference to varieties resistant to powdery mildew.
You should regularly inspect disembarkation in order to identify problems at an early stage.

Disease-resistant gooseberry and currant varieties

Novice gardeners are advised to purchase resistant varieties of berry bushes for planting, characterized by resistance to powdery mildew and time-tested, then the disease will not have to be fought.

Riddle

 Variety of black currant Mystery
Variety of black currant Mystery

Variety of black currant with an average but stable yield 3 kg from a bush. The plant is frost-resistant, large-fruited with a straight forming crown. The weight of one berry reaches 1.2-2.2 grams.The peculiarity is the need to remove peripheral branches, the timely introduction of fertilizing.

Opening day

High slightly sprawling plant, begins to bear fruit in July. The weight of the currant is dark ink about 2 grams.

Berry is incredibly aromatic with a sweet and sour taste. The culture has a strong immunity, which makes it possible to give a stable harvest even under adverse weather conditions. Removed from the bush 3-3.8 kg fruits.

Dutch red

 Currant Dutch red
Currant Dutch red

An old, time-tested variety, yielding high yields (over 4.5 kg from the bush). The average weight of a red berry is 0.7-1 grams. There are both sourness and sweetness in taste. When taken off, the juice does not stand out, which indicates good preservation and transportability.

Among the main advantages of currants: resistance to low temperatures, diseases and attacks of pests.

Cue

The gooseberry bush is formed from upright branches of medium height. The formation of thorns is average, the mass of berries is 4.2-4.5 g., The taste is sweet with a hint of sourness.

The skin is not too dense, has good elasticity, which allows you to transport the crop without loss of presentation.

Consul

The medium-creepy bush differs in parameters (height up to 1.8 m) and a small number of thorns. Round berries have a reddish tint of the skin, the mass of an average fruit is 6.4 grams. Taste is gentle with sweet-sour tones. At least one is removed from the bush 5.5-6 kg harvest.

The plant easily tolerates heat and waterlogging. Good immunity is manifested in resistance to fungal diseases and pests.

 Gooseberry Consul
Gooseberry Consul

What to process and spray in the fall to protect against powdery mildew

Every autumn, gardeners pay attention to the careful processing of shrubs in order to obtain a good harvest in the new season. For treatments use different tools and methods, each of which has its own advantages.

Autumn spraying is part of preventive measures aimed at increasing the resistance of crops to fungal diseases and pests.

inkstone

The tool is used as disinfector for fruit trees and berry bushes. In addition to disinfection, the product enriches plants with such an important substance as iron.

For spraying currants and gooseberries prepare a solution of the following concentration: 250 gr. iron vitriol on 10 liters of water.Spraying perform after the fall of the foliage, trying to cover the entire surface of the stems and branches. It is also necessary to capture the soil around the shrubs.

Copper sulfate

The product belongs to fungicides, is applied for disinfection of soil and plants. Copper sulfate is considered a highly effective means of preventing the development of fungal diseases.

The working solution is prepared from 50-75 grams. drug and 10 liters of water. It is possible to sprinkle with the means after the foliage has fallen off, which allows for more thorough spraying of the stems and branches.

 Copper sulfate
Copper sulfate

Urea treatment

Fertilizer in the form of granules used as a nutrient for plants due to its nitrogen content. Urea solution is used to process in spring and autumn.

For the preparation of funds in the bucket of water dissolve 500-700 gr. Liquid sprayed shrubs, trying to grab all the leaves, twigs and stems. In the garden, the solution performs the function of disinfector, burning out harmful microorganisms, larvae and insects.

Nuances of autumn garden processing

Autumn processing of shrubs lays the success of easy wintering and good fruiting in the next season.

Mandatory autumn activities include:

  • pruning of branches (old, reached 5 years of age, weak and sick);
  • drawing on places of cut garden vara;
  • thorough cleaning of soil from plant debris (larvae and insects hibernate in them, as well as fungal spores);
  • soil treatment with colloidal sulfur or karbofos;
  • soil fertilizer with organic or complex mineral compounds.

After the snow falls podgresti soil to the roots of bushesTo protect the plants from the bitter cold. A shrub wrapped up under a snowcover overwinter without much loss, the cold season, and in the spring will yield many new basal shoots.

To get rid of and cure the American powdery mildew, it is important to follow the measures of care, to treat the soil and plants as a prophylaxis in time, then the risk of infection is significantly reduced, and there is no need to treat it.