Plum is one of the most beloved garden trees. Only pear and apple tree are superior in popularity. It is unpretentious and relatively resistant to many infections, but sometimes the tree begins to hurt. Why do plum leaves turn yellow if there is still a lot of time before autumn colds, and what can cause this? Most likely, the roots of the tree were affected.
See the root
Firstly, this may be the result of improper landing. In areas with high groundwater levels, root flooding can occur. Their lateral branches die, and tree nutrition worsens. First of all, the leaves of the middle tier suffer, they begin to turn yellow and fall off. Plum can also respond to severe drying of the earth during the growing season.
Chlorosis can begin on carbonate soils near the tree. Plum leaves (photo) turn yellow, only a narrow strip along the veins remains green. Over time, most leaves begin to blacken and dry out. The use of drugs such as Chelate and Antichlorosin can save the plant.
Why do plum leaves turn yellow if cultivation technology is not disturbed? The reason may be a frostbite. If branches and stems are affected, they can be cut. The defeat of the root wood is not so noticeable. They die off gradually, stopping the supply of nutrients to the top of the crown. To restore the root system, the tree needs a long period. Just one freezing is enough for the consequences to affect the condition of the fruits and leaves for several years.
Yellowing plum leaves can respond to a developing fungal disease or to the invasion of pests.
Verticillosis
The causative agent of the disease is the soil fungus Verticillium arbo-atrum. It is common in all climatic zones, and affects stone fruits: plums, apricots, cherry plum. It penetrates the tree through the wounds in the roots and quickly spreads up. He clogs with his mycelium the channels through which water and nutrients enter. That's why plum leaves turn yellow and curl, starting from the bottom to the top. Sometimes plums die immediately, sometimes for a long time they are in a deplorable state. If the disease started recently, you can start spraying with "Previkur", "Vitaros" or "Topsin-M". To prevent the fungus from spreading through the garden, you should not plant susceptible to verticillosis crops between plums: tobacco, strawberries, and all nightshade crops. Sick trees are best destroyed and the soil is decontaminated.
Moniliosis
A very dangerous disease caused by the fungus Monilia. Its spores penetrate the pistils of flowering plums and germinate, causing the drying of flowers and young leaves, and then the death of the branches. The parasite also affects the fruit, germinating in them with gray-black spots. It multiplies rapidly in conditions of coolness and high humidity.
To cure the tree, it is necessary to cut shrunken branches, collect and burn fallen leaves and fruits. Before flowering and after it is necessary to spray with the preparations "Hom" or "Chorus".
Coccomycosis
Until 1962, the fungus Coccomyces hiemlis Higg was considered a quarantine object. Coccomycosis is another reason why plum leaves turn yellow. After the fungus penetrates, very small spots appear on them. Merging gradually, they spread to most of the leaf. On the underside you can see the pink and white spores of the fungus. Sometimes leaves do not fall, but turn brown and dry out. Fruits cease to develop , the tree is greatly weakened, winter hardiness decreases.
To combat the disease, three sprayings are made with copper chloride or Bordeaux liquid: during the formation of buds, immediately after flowering and after harvesting.
Plum Aphid
It is a sucking parasite of pale green color. First, aphid colonies are localized on young shoots, but can quickly spread throughout the tree. Due to its activity, the leaves curl on the plum, their edges turn yellow, droop and fall. A sticky aphid discharge on the underside of leaves can be chosen by a sooty mushroom, which can destroy shoots.
To control the insect, completely remove the shoots. In spring, the tree is treated with Inta-Vir, the bushes and skeletal branches are covered with whitewash twice a year.