Proven powder for mildew on currants

Mealy dew (in other words, ash or ashes) is a fungal disease that is caused by microscopic fungi that live in the soil — the order of powdery or erysiphora. From this fungus suffers and currants. Mealy dew affects part of the plant that is above the ground - the leaves, petioles, buds, seedlings and shoots of this year, as well as the growing point. Let's take a closer look at this disease and measures to combat it.

What is dangerous and where does it come from

This disease begins to spread in early June, the active phase occurs in July - August. The causative agent is a fungus Sphaerotheca morus-uvae Berk, et Curt.

There are no varieties of currants that are completely resistant to this disease. Formed fungus on the leaves, petioles, young shoots, berries and peduncles of plants. First of all, powdery mildew affects the leaves and shoots that are closer to the ground, and then the whole plant is infected with it. This currant disease should be carefully considered in the photo in order to be able to distinguish it from others.

On closer examination, you will notice the sores, which are in the places of attachment of the mycelium. As a result, the plant weakens and becomes unattractive, as the fungus prevents it from feeding, and photosynthesis deteriorates in the affected leaves.

At the same time, cracks appear on the diseased fruits, which can then become infected with pathogens of rots.

Fungi become active under the following conditions.:

• with heavy rains;
• at air temperature + 15-27 ºC against a background of 60-80% air humidity;
• with multiple fluctuations in temperature;
• after a serious anti-aging pruning;
• with an excess of nitrogen in the soil;
• if the bushes were too densely planted;
• with the wrong watering mode. For example, with too frequent wetting of the ground or with rare irrigation.

Signs of defeat

Here are the main signs by which you can recognize that the currant bush is infected with powdery mildew:

• A whitish-gray bloom forms on the leaves and shoots, which will turn brown in the future.
• The growth point is affected, the plant ceases to develop and collapses.
• The leaves curl, decrease in size, and also lose their green color.
• The berries, which had time to form, were covered with bloom, and not formed - they fell off.
• The bush stops growing, dries out, its resistance to frost decreases. Therefore, if the currant does not die from the disease, then it simply will not survive the winter.

How to warn

To prevent the appearance of a fungus, it is necessary to trim currant bushes in the fall, remove leaves and branches from the ground in which the pathogen overwinters, and then they must be burned.

In early spring you need to handle the bushes and soil with a solution of vitriol. Also, periodically inspect the bushes to quickly identify the disease, because the sooner you notice it, the more chances you have to cure the plant.With this approach, you can notice the development of other diseases of currants.

How to fight

It is worth noting that powdery mildew appears on white and red currants less often than on black. Measures to combat the disease are very different. You can treat an infected plant both with the help of fungicidal preparations (when using, follow the manufacturer's instructions) and with the help of effective folk remedies.

Effective drugs

Many gardeners are puzzled over how to get rid of powdery mildew on a plant. If you decide to destroy the fungus "chemistry", then you need to choose the most gentle option for your plant.

Even the most effective drugs will not give the desired result if the currant bush has been improperly processed.

The best products for powdery mildew on currants:

• 3% solution of "Nitrafen". Processing plants with this drug in early spring or early autumn.
• Before the appearance of buds in the early spring, irrigate the bushes and the ground beneath them with a solution of copper sulfate (80 g per 10 liters of water).
• 1% solution of colloidal sulfur, 0.1-0.2% "Karatan", lime-sulfur decoction, fortress 1 according to Baume. The first treatment before flowering, the second must be done before the formation of the ovary, and the third - after a week and a half.

Folk remedies

If a white bloom appears on the currant branches, and you do not know what to do, do not panic, the bush can still be saved. The most effective home remedies for this disease:

• 100 g of soda ash mixed with 100 g of soap solution (50% soap and 50% water), process on a sheet;
• Infusion of onion peel, suitable for treatment in the initial stage of the disease. Also suitable as a warning measure;
• 25 g of copper sulphate + 25 g of soap, 1-3% aqueous solution.

Gardeners are required to know how to act when infecting currants with powdery mildew. Remember that chemistry can process a plant only in the most extreme cases.Thanks to this, you will avoid the harmful effects of pesticides on the plants themselves and on the person who eats their fruits.