Leaf spots on tomatoes, strawberries, and apple trees

In August, many gardeners encounter spots on the leaves of a wide variety of crops. Fungal infections can easily leave you without a harvest and undo the work of an entire summer. We asked an agronomist what to do about tomato leaf mold in a greenhouse, how to save apple trees, and how to treat strawberry bushes.

Tomato leaf mold (cladosporiosis)

In greenhouses, tomatoes most often suffer from cladosporiosis — brown leaf spot. This fungal disease occurs due to poor ventilation, overcrowded plants, and high humidity.

«The greenhouse must be open, and excess green mass must be pruned. Then there will be no fungal diseases. It spreads from the bottom up. On the upper side of the leaves you can see yellowish spots that later turn brown. On the underside, in place of the spots, there will be a velvety coating,» explained Lyudmila Shubina, an agronomist and candidate of agricultural sciences.

All affected leaves must be cut off and burned or thrown in the trash. They must not be put in compost or left on the plot. During the fruiting season, bushes can only be treated with biological fungicides containing bacteria. It is important to achieve wetting of the leaves on both sides.

«If you have nothing on hand, you can dilute 15–20 drops in a liter of milk. Then add this to a bucket with 9 liters of water. Spray generously. It may help if the disease has only just begun,» the agronomist emphasized.

Leaf spots on strawberries

Spots on strawberry leaves can appear due to fungal diseases. In such a state, bushes should not be left for the winter. If purple spots appear, it is white spot; brown or dark brown spots are brown spot.

«You need to carefully cut off all damaged leaves and remove them from the plot. They must not be thrown into the compost pit. Strawberries are not fruiting now, so you can use chemical preparations as well,» the specialist noted.

In August, for treatment, take a 1% Bordeaux mixture solution; a more concentrated one can be used on dormant plants in spring. In the evening, in calm weather, spray the bushes generously. When working with copper sulfate, strictly use protection — gloves, glasses, a mask. The preparation must not come into contact with the skin.

A week after treatment, it is worth feeding strawberries with phosphorus-potassium fertilizers, since the bushes are weakened after the fungal infection.

Spots on apple trees

Spots on apple leaves and fruit can appear in August due to scab or Phyllosticta leaf spot. These are fungal diseases that spread quickly through plants. The peak occurs in late August and early September. Apple trees should be treated against fungal diseases twice per season — in spring before bud break and in autumn after fruiting.

Scab looks like olive-brown velvety spots. The disease reduces the plant«s winter hardiness and can destroy up to 70% of the entire harvest.

«There are varieties resistant to scab. Breeders are working on this, so it is worth checking and choosing more resistant ones. If the year is wet, the fruits become covered in this kind of rust,» the agronomist explained.

The disease can be fought with preventive measures. Same as with phyllostictosis — brown leaf spot. On the leaves you can notice dark yellow or brown spots that grow over time and merge. Eventually the affected tissue thins, and fungal spores become visible — small black dots.

Chemical preparations cannot be used now, since the trees have not yet given up their harvest. Such treatments are dangerous for humans, but biological products can be used. They contain bacteria that destroy fungi. For example, Fitosporin, Alirin, and Sporobacterin. Spray in the evening, very generously over the entire crown of the tree. Try to achieve maximum wetting of the leaves and fruits on all sides. At least two treatments with an interval of one week will be required.

What else to read about garden and vegetable plot

Caring for strawberries in August: when to plant new bushes and prune leaves — rules and best varieties.

You will lose all your tomatoes: three main mistakes in growing tomatoes that will definitely deprive you of your harvest — video.

It«s important to feed on time: when to dig up carrots and beets — timing and care rules.