Folk remedies for currant diseases

Thanks to its distinctive aroma, wonderful taste, and rich vitamin content, blackcurrants have been popular for centuries. Their varieties are numerous, as are, unfortunately, their ailments. So, below are the most common currant diseases and their treatment, along with folk remedies and special preparations.

Common currant diseases and folk remedies

Anthracnose of currant

The reason such a disease is a specific fungus. The first signs of the disease appear in midsummer. These are reddish and brown spots with raised bumps in the center, which become larger and affect the entire leaf area. The leaves then dry out and fall off. This disease develops during rain, and its spores remain on the damaged plant even in snow. Therefore, the bushes should be treated without delay.

Treatment of the disease

Bordeaux mixture should be applied at a ratio of 100 g per 10 liters of water, spraying at the slightest sign of disease and after the harvest. One of the most common folk remedies will also help: burning all fallen leaves and avoiding affected areas when planting new plants.

Powdery mildew

This is also a fungus, but of a different nature. The leaves of young bushes become covered with a white coating, which then "eats" the berries. The disease is not very common.

Treatment of the disease

Copper sulfate or iodine from a pharmacy can be used. To prevent the disease, use a special fertilizer for currant bushes. Read more. about proper care of currantsso that diseases do not develop.

Rust on currants

It attacks plants year-round. There are two types of rust: goblet rust, which resembles reddish, raised warts, and columnar rust, which produces small, orange-colored lesions.

Treatment of the disease

The disease is treated with phytospirin. A more powerful remedy, Bordeaux mixture, can also be used, applied four times, every ten days.

Blackcurrant reversion or terry

This currant disease (treated with folk remedies below) is caused by the ribes virus 1, and is transmitted by the bud mite. The leaves change shape, the number of veins decreases, the characteristic aroma disappears, and a purple tint develops. As a result, the original appearance of the bush mutates and the plant becomes infertile.

Treatment of the disease

The problem can be prevented by selecting healthy material and using potassium and phosphorus fertilizers.

Nectrium-induced shoot drying

The disease is common in both red and white varieties. It is caused by a marsupial fungus. The orange rash develops into brown bumps, which turn black as the spores mature. Young shoots begin to dry out and die. Without proper, timely treatment, the plant may die completely.

Treatment of the disease

At the first sign of symptoms, trim the bushes and treat the affected areas with Bordeaux mixture. Prevention includes removing weeds, wiping away dead leaves, and fertilizing the plants.

A few words about currant pests

The most common types of parasites include aphids and caterpillars.

Gall aphid

It sucks out the juices of the plant, and as a result, currant leaves are drying up, first swelling and acquiring a red or yellow tint.

Shoot aphid

It damages branches, making them crooked and inhibiting their development.

Treatment

Try to remove weeds and unwanted leaves, trim diseased shoots, and also place nearby plants that will attract the necessary insects to destroy aphids.

Firefly

A small gray butterfly also causes trouble for currant bushes. Its pupae easily survive the cold, and eggs are laid during the flowering period. The caterpillars of this butterfly also feed on currant bushes, but the bush cannot be cured at this stage.

This is interesting! Before flowering, it is recommended to cover the soil with roofing felt or linoleum; when the currants finish flowering, remove the covering.

So, to get a good harvest, it is necessary to identify currant diseases at an early stage and combat them; folk remedies are ideal in this case.