What do you suggest to eliminate Peach Leaf Curl?

May 26, 2022 Ask the Expert, Fruit Trees and Small Fruits, Managing Insect, Diseases, and Animal Pests

Question:

I observed Peach Leaf Curl on Nectar, White Lady, Peregrin, and Indian Free peach trees. I have had this disease for the last several years. Last December, I sprayed these trees with a solution of Liqui-Cop at a rate of 6 tsp/gal of water. I needed to wait this late to get the 90% defoliation required per the label instructions. I repeated this spray on March 27th. What do you suggest to eliminate this problem?

Answer:

Katherine Garland, Horticulturist

I’m sorry to hear you’ve been dealing with repeated infections of peach leaf curl. Well-timed fungicide applications are going to be your best option moving forward. Be sure to check the label to make sure peaches are listed on the label and carefully follow the label instructions. Here’s an excerpt from our bulletin on the disease that outlines management options.

Peach leaf curl is readily controlled. There are no known sanitation or cultural practices that have been proven to be effective, and there are little to no peach or nectarine cultivars that are immune to the disease. Frost, Indian free, Muir, and Q-1-8 are some currently discovered resistant varieties. However, effective control can be achieved with one or at most two fungicide treatments. Spray either in the fall just before defoliation normally occurs or in the spring just before the buds begin to swell or at both times if the problem is severe. Some fungicides which are effective include: chlorothalonil, Bordeaux mixture, lime sulfur, and fixed coppers.

You should check your local town ordinance for any pesticide restrictions before application.