Check those leaves
10 August 2012
Due to the recent warm, wet weather, there has been a surge in fungal and bacterial diseases, threatening crops of fruit and vegetables and potentially causing further problems in 2013.
Fungi such as black spot on roses or currant leaf spot and bacteria that cause canker on cherry and plum trees, have been allowed to spread due to the weather conditions. Any brief spells of dry weather are an ideal time to clear up infected material and spray appropriate fungicides.
'It has been difficult getting out to the garden over the past few months because of the rain,' says Guy Barter, RHS Chief Horticultural Advisor. 'But when the sun comes out and it is dry we can catch up. One of the important things to do is to remove as much dead and infected material as possible. Once you have reduced the amount of infected material any spraying with an appropriate fungicide will be especially effective.'
Gardeners should use chemical sprays in the early morning or late evening so that the fungicides do not dry out too quickly and leave an unsightly dusty mark on the leaves. Unfortunately not all plant disease can be cured by sprays so it is important to removed any dead or infected material.