Puckered & Discolored Leaves from Peach Leaf Curl

Puckered, distorted leaves of green and yellow to pink, orange and purple are easy to spot and indicate peach leaf curl is present. 

This fungal disease occurs wherever peaches are grown and starts infecting the leaves and stems as the buds begin to swell.

Peach leaf curl is most common when the springs are cool and wet. You’ll see less damage when temperatures are 45 degrees or colder and during warm springs when the buds quickly expand into full size leaves.

Healthy trees that are properly maintained can survive this disease. Keep trees healthy by thinning the fruit, watering as needed and avoiding late season fertilization.

Struggling trees or those repeatedly affected by this disease can be treated with a fungicide labeled for fruit trees. Treat in fall after leaf drop or spring before the buds begin to swell.

A bit more information: The distorted leaves are a result of the cells along the edges of the leaves multiplying quickly and randomly.

Tags

fungus problems-pests-weeds peach

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