Copper Mixture
Guernsey Donkey2
Posts: 6,713
in Plants
My previous thread on Almond/Peach Leaf curl has now thrown up another question. Has anyone used Copper Mixture, as my local GC has advised me that this is probably the only treatment available (apart from chopping the tree down of course)) for this problem. At one time they would have advised Bordeaux Mixture but this is no longer available. I don't like using anything that is detrimental to either the food chain or the wildlife (from the aphid to the owl).
Each leaf (about one quarter of them at present) has curled, with an earwig found within them.
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The RHS recommends a barrier method as there are no chemical controls available to amateur gardeners. Too late for this year but worth thinking about and preparing over winter so you're ready next spring when the fungal spores land via raindrops and do all their damage.
https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?pid=232
"We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing." - George Bernard Shaw
There are a few copper mix fungicides for sale on fleabay
Hi obelixx, yes I looked at that site yesterday thanks to the recommendation on here. However I thought I would give our local garden guru a call and he recommended this Copper Mixture, or as he rightly said the leaves are going to fall soon anyway whether I spray or not. Without treatment, he imagined that the tree would eventually weaken and die. Thanks raisingirl - I will take a look.
It's so late in the season now and natural leaf fall will happen soon anyway I don't think spraying will make much difference.
Make sure you rake up every single fallen leaf and burn them so no spores subsist till next spring and then use the protection measures advised by the RHS. Make sure the plant gets a good feed of decent garden compost and well rotted manure next spring to help feed it and make it stronger.
"We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing." - George Bernard Shaw
Actually the advice is usually to use the fungicide on the tree not the leaves, once in the autumn and a couple of times in late winter, as the new leaves are forming.
I've a vague idea that I read somewhere some idea that oil of oregano is supposed to be a cure. Can't think why it would be though
Last edited: 01 September 2016 17:52:41
Thank you for all your sound advice obelixx and raisingirl. If I give this almond tree special treatment as you suggest obelixx - will the other trees sulk? Seriously though, we went to the GC this afternoon to look at the Copper Mix which they had. We will give rake up all the leaves and dispose of them and follow the spray programme you have suggested.