Every summer resident is waiting with hope for midsummer to collect sweet currants for jam, compotes and fresh desserts. But in May, a white powdery coating may appear on the leaves and young shoots, which quickly spreads and weakens the plant. If you do not start processing on time, the bush loses strength, the berries become smaller, and the yield drops significantly.
The first signs of the disease often appear in warm, humid weather, when fungal spores are actively spread by wind and rain. At the same time, not only black currants are under threat, but also gooseberries, honeysuckle and other berry crops. Many gardeners prefer safe folk remedies and begin the fight from the first symptoms. For example, you can prepare a working solution from whey. Dilute one liter of whey in ten liters of water, add a tablespoon of iodine and mix thoroughly. Spray the bushes in the early morning or evening, thoroughly wetting the undersides of the leaves.
A common method of prevention is to create a protective barrier around the root zone. Spread a thin layer of wood ash or pine needle mulch with a radius of thirty to forty centimeters from the base of the bush. This layer changes the acidity of the surface layer of soil and creates an unfavorable environment for the development of spores, preventing them from rising to shoots.
You can effectively cope with the disease with the help of modern drugs that block the development of the fungus at any stage. For example, “Topaz”, “Skor”, “Rayok”, “Forecast”, “Pure Flower”, “Tiovit Jet”. Treatment is carried out in dry, windless weather, observing the interval between spraying and dosage instructions.
