Content
When the leaves of an apple tree turn red, this is a serious problem, which often causes deterioration in the quality of the fruit, a decrease in yield, and sometimes the death of the entire tree. Correct identification of the cause of the pathology and its timely elimination will help save the situation.
The appearance of red leaves on an apple tree is a serious cause for concern.
Why do the leaves of the apple tree turn red?
A change in the color and shape of leaves on an apple tree, in particular their redness, indicates a pathology in the development of the fruit tree. There may be several reasons for this condition.
Nutritional deficiencies
For normal development and fruiting, the apple tree needs nitrogen, potassium, phosphorus, magnesium and manganese. A decrease in the content of at least one of these elements in the soil can cause reddening and curling of the leaves.
Potassium deficiency
The deficiency of this element is indicated by the appearance of a red border along the edge of the leaf blade. Subsequently, such a strip gradually increases in size, the leaf completely turns red and curls up. Ignoring the problem can lead to premature leaf fall and drying of the apical shoots.
Lack of potassium affects the condition of apple tree leaves
Apple tree lacks phosphorus
Phosphorus starvation causes inhibition of the flowering and fruiting processes of apple trees. On trees that do not receive this element in sufficient quantities, the buds wake up late and the growth of new shoots slows down. The period of flowering and fruiting also begins later, and a fairly large number of ovaries fall off at the formation stage. In addition, late ripening of apples often leads to a decrease in the frost resistance of the crop, which can be dangerous in cold winters.
A characteristic sign of phosphorus deficiency is a bronze coating, gradually turning into red, on the leaves of the apple tree.
With a lack of phosphorus, the color of the entire leaf surface changes
Magnesium deficiency
The apple tree also reacts to a deficiency of this element by the appearance of red spots. The leaves on the lower branches change color first, and then the pathology spreads throughout the entire crown.
If the reserves of this element in the soil are not replenished, a lack of magnesium can cause premature leaf loss. The immunity of apple trees that do not receive adequate nutrition is reduced, as a result of which they are defenseless against winter cold and often freeze out.
After a while all the leaves turn red
Insufficient manganese
Manganese deficiency in the soil can be identified by the formation of white, light green or red spots on the leaves. This spoils not only the appearance of the apple tree, but also the taste of the fruit, which becomes less sweet. The leaves at the tops of the shoots change color first, and later the disease spreads throughout the entire crown.
Mechanical damage
If the apple tree is covered with red spots, you should inspect the trunk for mechanical damage. A very common cause of discoloration of leaves is open wounds, this is especially true in the presence of foreign bodies in them - glass, metal, pieces of wire, etc. Such pathologies provoke redness and curling of the leaf plates in the part of the crown to which the damaged shoot leads.
If foreign objects are found, they are removed from the tree, and the wounds are treated with an antiseptic and lubricated with garden varnish.
If a broken branch is connected to the trunk using bark, it must be removed
Improper watering
Deformation of the leaves and the appearance of red spots on them can be a consequence of severe drought. This often happens in the middle of summer when there is no rain. This problem can be solved by organizing proper watering.
Incompatibility of rootstock and scion
There are cases when the rootstock and scion do not grow together correctly, forming a thickening noticeable to the naked eye at the junction. This can also cause red spots to appear on the leaves. Unfortunately, such incompatibility cannot be corrected, so the tree will have to be removed from the site.
Diseases and pests
Fungal diseases are often the trigger for changes in leaf color. Apple trees are not spared by pests either.
Black cancer
Red spots on the leaves of the apple tree, which are visible in the photo, may indicate the development of a dangerous disease called black cancer. Small at the beginning of the development of the disease, after some time such spots increase, filling the entire surface of the leaf plate.
Another symptom of the disease is the appearance of purple-black spots on the bark of trees. It is impossible to cure this disease, so the affected apple tree will have to be removed.
Red spots on the leaves have an almost regular round shape
Rust
The spots with this disease are brown with a red tint. Like other fungal infections, the appearance of rust cannot be ignored.
Copper sulfate will help deal with rust.
Powdery mildew
This disease is manifested by the appearance of a white and later red-brown coating on the leaves. The danger of powdery mildew is that it affects not only the leaves, but also other parts of the apple tree - buds, flowers, shoots.
Powdery mildew can cause crop loss
Scab
This is a fungal disease, the main sign of its development is the appearance of brown spots on the surface of the leaves. In the process of treating scab, fungicides Topaz, Topsin, Fitosporin, and a 3% solution of Bordeaux mixture are used.
With scab, red spots appear not only on the leaves, but also on the fruits
Red gall aphid
The most insidious and dangerous pest that can cause significant harm to an apple tree is the red gall aphid.Small gray bugs, barely visible to the naked eye, begin their destructive activities at the very beginning of spring.
The larvae that hatch from the eggs, which this pest lays in the bark of the tree, immediately begin to feed on the sap of the tree, after which they move to the leaves and continue their destructive activity there. As a result, the leaves of the apple tree turn red, curl inward and fall off.
Considering the fact that each female gall aphid lays eggs at least four times per season, ignoring its presence on an apple tree can cause total premature leaf fall, and sometimes the death of the tree.
The presence of gall aphids can be determined by the red, raised spots on the leaves of the apple tree, which often have an elongated shape.
By the way, gall aphids attack not only the leaves, but also the fruits of the tree. Its presence can be identified by small red spots on apples.
Aphids live on the inside of leaves
Moles
Sometimes the cause of the appearance of red spots on the leaves of an apple tree in spring, summer or autumn is a mole, which can damage the root system in the process of building underground passages. Deprived of the opportunity to receive adequate nutrition, the tree stops developing, the leaves turn red and curl.
Ultrasonic repellers are used to combat moles.
What to do if red spots appear on the leaves of the apple tree
The appearance of red spots on the leaves of an apple tree indicates a serious disruption in the development process that requires immediate intervention. To save a tree, you need to determine the cause of the pathology and eliminate it.
Fertilizer application
If the reason for the appearance of red leaves on the apple tree is a lack of nutrition, adding fertilizers to the soil will help solve the problem.
To compensate for the lack of phosphorus, experts recommend feeding apple trees with superphosphates, bone meal or ammophos. Fertilizers can be applied to the soil during the fruiting period or in the fall in preparation for winter.
To increase the potassium content, potassium sulfate is used, and spraying the trees with an aqueous solution of magnesium sulfate and magnesium sulfate will help satisfy the apple tree's need for magnesium.
It is recommended to do foliar feeding at least three times a season.
Warning! Fertilizers must be applied strictly in the doses indicated in the instructions. Excessive content of certain microelements in the soil will not benefit apple trees.
Fertilizers are applied to the tree trunk area
Pest Control
If pests are the cause of the red leaves, you need to take immediate action.
Treating the crown and trunk of the tree with insecticidal preparations such as Aktara, Aktellik, Nitrofen, and Iskra will help you cope with red gall aphids. The waiting period for chemicals is 60 days, so they can only be used before the budding period begins.
If there is a large number of gall aphids on an apple tree during flowering or fruiting, it is better to use biological preparations for treatment, the waiting period of which is about a week. The list includes Fitoverm and Bitoxibacillin.
To get rid of rodents, use special traps or fill the hole with water.
Aphids should be destroyed at the first sign of their appearance.
Treatment of diseases
If the leaves on the apple tree turn red and curl due to a fungal disease, you need to urgently begin treatment.In most cases, fungicides Fitosporin, Topaz, Topsin, etc. are used to combat fungal infections.
During the spraying process, you can use other means:
- containing copper - copper sulfate, Blue Bordeaux, Abiga peak, Kuproksat, Champion;
- sulfur-containing – colloidal sulfur solution, Famulus;
- based on Trichoderma – Trichodermin, Phytodoctor.
Chemical manufacturers offer gardeners a huge range of fungicides
Preventive measures
Any pathologies during the development of fruit crops, including the appearance of red spots on the leaves, are easier to prevent than to treat.
To prevent diseases and pests, it is recommended:
- Organize proper watering: the apple tree needs abundant soil moisture in early spring and autumn after harvest. If precipitation is normal, it is not necessary to water the tree throughout the season; if there is no rain, the soil in the tree trunk circle is moistened every month. One apple tree requires from two to ten buckets of water (depending on age).
- Feed trees in a timely manner. In the spring, nitrogen fertilizers are applied to the soil, and during the fruiting period and in the fall, potassium-phosphorus fertilizers are applied.
- Treat apple trees with insecticides in early spring, at the stage of the first leaves appearing and in the fall after harvesting. To prevent resistance, it is advisable to alternate drugs.
- Regularly treat the crown and trunk with fungicidal preparations, in particular, a 3% solution of Bordeaux mixture to prevent fungal infection.
- Regularly prune and rejuvenate apple trees. All dry, diseased and crown-thickening shoots must be removed.
- In spring and autumn, whiten the trunks with an aqueous solution of quicklime. This will help destroy pests that are going to overwinter in the tree bark.
- In the fall, clear the area in the root zone of plant debris and dig up the soil. In this way, it is possible to destroy a significant number of insects that are going to overwinter in fallen leaves or the top layer of soil.
- Install trapping belts on the trunks and use other traps that prevent pests from moving onto the leaves.
- Regularly inspect apple trees for diseases and immediately take measures to get rid of them.
In addition, experienced gardeners recommend:
- while spraying the crown, also treat the tree trunk circles;
- Disinfect cutting garden tools before use;
- carefully remove the fruits, trying to prevent them from being damaged;
- Do not leave rotten apples on the branches.
Compliance with these rules will help to significantly reduce the likelihood of red spots appearing on the leaves and fruits of the apple tree. To treat apple trees, you can buy a ready-made composition or make it yourself.
Conclusion
There are many reasons why apple tree leaves turn red and curl. Timely diagnosis of diseases and proper elimination of provoking factors will help eliminate pathological manifestations and preserve the harvest.
