One of the most serious diseases that can affect apple trees is scab. In nature, there are 17 genes that provide apple trees with immunity to scab, and by combining these genes, breeders have learned to develop varieties resistant to this disease.
How to Treat the Orchard
Treating the orchard in the fall will help prevent the overwintering of spores and cleanse the trees of microorganisms, which will positively affect their condition and help them better withstand the winter. First, it is necessary to clear the orchard of fallen leaves and dry branches, as this is where the spores overwinter. Leaves, branches, and infected fruits are best burned, as without thorough cleaning, all further actions will be ineffective.
“I prepare a strong solution of urea, 1 kg per 10 liters, and spray the trees after leaf fall,” advises gardener Svetlana Samoylova. “Then you can whitewash or wrap them in non-woven bandages for protection against frost cracks.”
The Right Time to Treat the Orchard
The most important thing is to find a time when there is no rain. This is not so easy to do in the fall. You need at least a day of dry weather.
“A day without precipitation is quite enough for the preparation to be absorbed. Ideally, repeat the spraying at the end of March-April before the buds swell,” emphasizes Samoylova.
Spring treatment should be carried out around the end of March - early April, when the tree has not yet awakened. The ideal temperature for spore development ranges from 18 to 23 degrees, and it is during this period that infections most often occur. Therefore, if the time is missed in the spring, in the fall, instead of fruits, you may only see black lumps.
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