Can't identify Blackcurrant bush disease

dan thomas

I have white blobs on the stems and the leaves are curling and going brown before dying. see attached and issuing an SOS before they all die

 

 

 

 

BobTheGardener

It's difficult to see from the photo's but I suspect it is woolly scale insects (Pulvinaria vitis.)  The white waxy blobs are created by the female to protect her eggs.  Most insecticides are ineffective against the waxy coating and it's inadvisable to use those on edible fruit bushes anyway so my advice would be to rub them off with your fingers, squashing the female and her eggs in the process.  A small stiff brush may help.  You could also try a winter tree wash around Christmas time.

dan thomas

Thanks very much. I will try what you suggest. What is a winter tree wash by the way ?

Dovefromabove

Some info here http://www.greengardener.co.uk/product.asp?id_pc=13&id_product=195&cat=25

Other brands are available