How do you treat leaf curl on a plum tree?

If necessary, use dormant season chemical treatments of horticultural oil. Severe aphid infestations require growing season applications of a leaf curl plum aphid treatment such as neem oil, imidacloprid, pyrethrins, or non-toxic insecticidal soap.

Can a plum tree recover from leaf curl?

Once leaf distortion has occurred there is little can be done to deal with plum leaf curling aphid. On tall trees as treatment is only likely to be successful if the entire plant can be reached.

How do you get rid of leaf curl plum aphids?

If leaf curl plum aphids are a chronic problem, two treatments of horticultural oil just as buds are swelling can be effective. Hard blasts of water can remove the aphids from trees if this is done early in the growing season before they have been able to shelter inside curled leaves.

What causes my plum tree leaves to curl?

PLUM TREE LEAF CURL In the vast majority of cases it is aphids which cause the leaves to curl. Often these aphids are called leaf curl aphids. To check for aphids, uncurl the leaves and look for signs of aphids.

How do you get rid of leaf curl on fruit trees?

Just apply a fungicide containing copper hydroxide, right now. Be sure to do a thorough job of it – paying attention to the leaf bud scales and all the nooks and crannies in the bark and for severely affected trees a second application the following autumn as the leaves drop, will help too.

What causes leaf curl?

Peach leaf curl, also known as leaf curl, is a disease caused by the fungus Taphrina deformans. Peach leaf curl affects the blossoms, fruit, leaves, and shoots of peaches, ornamental flowering peaches, and nectarines, and is one of the most common disease problems for backyard gardeners growing these trees.

Does peach leaf curl affect plum trees?

Peaches (Prunus persica, hardy in USDA zones 5 through 9) are closely related to plums and suffer from a disease called peach leaf curl. Plums suffer from this disease too, though in plum trees the symptoms usually appear on the fruit and the disease is called plum pocket.

What causes my plant leaves to curl?

Curling leaves can be caused by many problems, including insect damage, disease, abiotic disorders, or even herbicides. There are several insect pests that cause leaves to curl when they suck plant juices of new or young leaves that are still growing. These include aphids, thrips, and whiteflies.

How do you treat leaf curl?

What does it mean when a plant’s leaves curl?

When leaves curl or ‘cup’ at the tips and the margins, the plant is trying to retain moisture. Any form of downwards curling usually indicates overwatering or overfeeding.

Why are the leaves on my fruit trees curling?

Leaf curl can be a chronic problem on fruit trees, but is not typically fatal. Under normal circumstances, only two major problems cause leaf curl in fruit trees: peach leaf curl fungus and aphids. Both are easily treatable if you are persistent.

How to get rid of plum leaf curl?

If leaf curl plum aphids are a chronic problem, two treatments of horticultural oil just as buds are swelling can be effective. Hard blasts of water can remove the aphids from trees if this is done early in the growing season before they have been able to shelter inside curled leaves.

Where does the leaf curl plum aphid live?

The leaf curl plum aphid is often found inside curled leaves. It is shiny and varies considerably in color from green to brownish green or brownish yellow. This aphid overwinters in the egg stage near the base of buds. In spring it rapidly builds populations on new foliage, causing affected spurs to develop tightly curled leaves.

When to apply zinc sulfate for leaf curl plums?

Zinc sulfate (36%) applied at 10-20 lb/acre can be applied in early to mid-October to help in this process. There are many natural enemies that feed on leaf curl plum aphid; however, fruit size may still be reduced and curled leaves will not uncurl after aphids are suppressed.

What kind of fungicide to use on plum trees?

One brand of Bordeaux mixture suggests mixing 12 tablespoons of the copper fungicide with 1 gallon of water to treat leaf curl and plum pockets. Since every brand of fungicide is different, check the label of the product you are using for exact instructions.