How best to treat leaf curl on established peach tree?

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Bhodichitta Pleasant Hill, CA Oct 21, 2014

I have a peach tree with significant leaf curl.

What is the best recommended way to treat this??

Post #9962649
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Diana_K Contra Costa County, CA(Zone 9b) Oct 22, 2014

http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn7426.html

Follow the label directions for what ever product you use.

Here is the old method. The concept is similar, but the products have changed.

Spray it in the fall, winter with dormant spray and spring with a milder spray.

Do 3 sprays through the fall and winter, 1 month apart. First spray when all the leaves are pretty much yellow, and perhaps 50% or more have fallen. (Mine are still all green, maybe Nov 15 or later? Fall has been mild, so far) Spray with (old product: lime sulfur which is no longer available for home use! Look for the products listed in that link-) and horticultural grade oil (Volck, or vegetable based oil) at dormant spray concentrations. This will smother overwintering insects, and discourage the fungus that causes Peach Leaf Curl. Spray thoroughly, allowing the spray to saturate the bark, and run into the soil to treat the larger roots, where insects might be overwintering.
On Feb 1, March 1 (as buds are swelling, opening) use a milder product that is also a combination of fungicide, summer weight oil and perhaps pesticide (if you are seeing aphids).

Start planning this now, and watch the weather. If they predict rain, it is OK to spray a bit early, and hit the old leaves with dormant strength spray (they are ready to fall off anyway). Or spray right after the rain quits. Read the label for how long it must be on the plant before it is OK for it to rain. But get those sprays done. Most products get washed off, don't do much when the weather is bad, so re-applying is the best way to be sure you are getting control of the fungus.

Look for the sprays at the recycling center off Imhoff Drive, Pacheco

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Alternate:
Plant a variety called 'Curl Free'
Tasty fruit
Free stone
99% Curl free, with no spray. I see just a little wrinkling on an odd leaf or two, no discoloration. My other peach was so bad with the PLC that I was happy when it died.

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There is one 'natural' or 'organic' method. Spray with a competing fungus and let them battle it out. May reduce the PLC somewhat.

Post #9963138
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Bhodichitta Pleasant Hill, CA Oct 24, 2014

Thank you very much for your help

Post #9963959
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