Previously I shared a very informative article on peach tree leaves to curl. If you are looking for a solution for peach leave curl, you might be looking for a spray. In this article, I will discuss the best bouquet for peach leaf curl and three homemade sprays for peach leaf curl that are very effective if applied correctly.
Here, I will list the three most common and effective homemade solutions for this particular disease step by step while discussing their benefits and drawbacks. But you must ensure your plant needs treatment for peach leaf curl. If you still don’t know the cause/culprit or wonder, “Why Are My Peach Tree Leaves Curling” check this guide first. However, if you’re sure your tree is affected by peach leaf curl, read this article thoroughly.
If you are looking for a commercial solution or a homemade spray, this article covers everything in detail. Let’s first begin with the best homemade spray for peach leaf curl.
3 best homemade sprays for peach leaf curl
If you want to treat peach leaf curl disease on your trees using a homemade spray, you can consider using one baking soda spray, milk spray, and neem oil spray because all are effective options. Note that these mixtures may not be as potent as commercial sprays and may take longer to show results.
Baking Soda Spray
I hope you already know that Baking soda is a natural fungicide that can help you control the spread of peach leaf curl. To make a baking soda spray below is the correct information.
Ingredients
- One tablespoon of baking soda
- One tablespoon of vegetable oil
- 1 gallon of water
Steps
- First, mix one tablespoon of baking soda and one tablespoon of vegetable oil in 1 gallon of water.
- Then, make sure to shake well and combine all the ingredients efficiently.
- Afterward, you can pour the mixture into a spray bottle or garden sprayer (Whatever you have).
- Finally, you can start spraying the prepared mixture on the peach tree. I highly advise you to cover all the affected areas.
- To make it more effective and act past, repeat the process every 10 to 14 days until all your peach leaf curl symptoms disappear.
Since baking soda is a natural and non-toxic fungicide that can help control the spread of peach leaf curl, you should also have no problem using it. In addition, you can find baking soda accessible and affordable ingredients available in almost all stores.
This method is also highly safe for your pet’s family and the environment. However, it would be best to be cautious about applying the baking soda directly when the temperature is above 85 degrees Fahrenheit.
Also, it would be best never to use baking soda in indirect sunlight to avoid burning the leaves. In addition, I advise you to wear protective clothing like goggles and gloves when you are handling & applying the mixture.
Even though baking soda is generally safe for most plants & trees, it might harm specific specimens. Therefore I recommend you also test a small area of your garden to ensure no plant nearby your peaches is sensitive to the solution.
Milk Spray
Alternative to baking soda, you can also use milk spray. Do you know that milk spray can also be an effective &natural way to control peach leaf curl on your trees? This solution is also straightforward to make and use, promoting the overall health of your peach tree. Below I am giving you proper instructions to prepare this mixture and what things you need to keep your mind while using this.
Ingredients
- Milk
- Water
- Dish soap
Instructions
- Firstly I recommend you put together all the three ingredients mentioned above.
- After gathering all the ingredients, you need to Mix 1 part milk with two parts of water in a spray bottle or garden sprayer.
- Afterward, add a few drops of dish soap to the mixture and shake well.
- After preparing the mixture, spray it on the affected tree, covering all the affected areas (Use the same approach as you would have with a commercial solution when spreading it on the affected area).
- Finally, you should repeat the process every 7 to 10 days until the symptoms disappear.
Not only is milk a natural fungicide that can help you control peach leaf curl, but also, this is an inexpensive & natural alternative to chemical pesticides. Milk spray will also help you promote the growth of beneficial microorganisms essential for your peach tree.
However, make sure not to use any chemicals when applying this solution. Also, avoid spraying this mixture on trees with milk allergies. As said earlier, please avoid using this mixture on sunny days as it can cause sunburn. Avoid overusing this mixture, too, as it may lead to imbalances in soil pH.
Neem Oil Spray
Another great natural solution for controlling peach leaf curl is said to be Neem Oil spray. It is not only a practical solution but also an eco-friendly & safe to use the solution if applied correctly on peach trees.
However, avoid overusing it and take proper precautions during the blooming season. It would be best never to use it in high concentration as it may harm your tree more than reasonably.
Ingredients
- Two tablespoons of neem oil
- 1 gallon of water
- A few drops of dish soap
Steps
- First, mix two tablespoons of neem oil with 1 gallon of water in a container.
- Then add a few drops of dish soap to the mixture.
- Thirdly, Shake well back&forth to combine all the ingredients thoroughly.
- Finally, you can spray the mixture on the affected areas of the peach tree.
- Again, Repeat the process every 7 to 10 days until all of your peach tree leaf curl symptoms disappear.
I hope you know Neem oil’s insecticidal and fungicidal properties that can help you control peach leaf curl. However, You should understand that Neem oil can harm pollinators like bees. But you don’t need to worry about this if you have a variety of self-pollinating peaches. If you didn’t know this, you might wonder, “do peach trees self-pollinate.” If so, check this article out.
Therefore, I highly recommend avoiding spraying it during the blooming season or when bees are active. You should also protective clothing while preparing & applying the spray to prevent skin irritation or allergic reactions.
You also should know that name oil tends to have a strong odor that can be unpleasant to some people.
Even though most of these homemade sprays are very effective, they will not be as potent as commercial options. Plus, homemade solution wiler to show results compared to retail space for peach leaf curl.
Therefore, I first recommend you test the spray on a specific small area of your peach tree and check if it is causing any damage or discoloration. Suppose you are not very sure or confident about using homemade solutions.
In that case, I recommend you to check out these other three best sprays for peach leaf curls that are commercially available and recommended by experts.
You can also consult with a professional who can help you in diagnosing the problem while suggesting the appropriate solution depending upon your tree condition and requirement
the best spray for peach leaf curl that many recommend
If you’re dealing with peach leaf curl disease on your trees And unable to use one of the homemade solutions mentioned, you can take the help of the commercially available options.
Several options are available, but here I will say some of the most influential and commonly used sprays for peach leaf curl: copper spray, dormant spray, and lime sulfur spray.
copper spray for peach leaf curl
Many people have used Copper spray as a standard and effective treatment for peach leaf curl. If you are wondering how it works in treating peach leaves curl, It acts as a barrier to Taphrina deformans fungus and prevents it from infecting the tree’s young leaves ( especially in the spring).
However, you can apply copper spray anytime in the fall, winter, or early spring before the buds swell. According to research by the University of California, Davis, copper spray can be up to 80% effective in controlling peach leaf curl.
However, when applying it, you must ensure that copper can be toxic to some plants. This is why it is always best and recommended to follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully and avoid using copper sprays on sensitive or stressed trees.
dormant spray for peach leaf curl
Another effective treatment for peach leaf curl that people widely use is a dormant spray for peach leaf curl. Dormant sprays are typically applied during late fall or winter while your peach tree is still fixed.
Dormant sprays effectively kill overwintering pests as they contain fungicides, insecticides, and horticultural oils. According to research by the University of California, San Diego, dormant sprays can be up to 90% effective in controlling peach leaf curl. However, choose the right spray for your specific pest and disease problems. If you don’t know what insects attacks peaches, read this, where we’ve shared and & everything in-depth with solution & preventions.
lime sulfur spray for peach leaf curl
Last but not least, You can also use the Lime sulfur spray as an alternative to control peach leaf curl. This spray also kills fungal spores and inhibits the growth of new spores when applied in the late winter or early spring ( just before the peach tree buds begin to swell); as per the research of the ATTRA, lime sulfur spray can be up to 90% effective in controlling peach leaf curl.
However, as you know, lime sulfur can be toxic to some plants; avoid using it on sensitive or stressed trees. Again, wear protective gear when handling this type of solution when treatING your peach tree leaf curl.
when to spray peach trees for leaf curl
The best time to spray your peach trees for leaf curl is in the fall after the leaves have dropped or in late winter before the buds swell. The expert often recommends spraying during the dormant season because it helps prevent the fungal spores from germinating and infecting the new growth.
What to choose?
I gave three commercial and three homemade solutions to treat each leave curve in this article. In general, however, you will find two sprays frequently used for peach leaf curl: copper-based ( effective at killing the fungal spores) and lime sulfur-based (works by burning off the infected tissue). Depending upon specific conditions, horticulturists and expert USD recommend one or both solutions during the dormant season.
Suppose you are going with the copper-based spray. In that case, I highly advise you to use it at least twice during the dormant season, with the first application immediately after the leaves have dropped and the second application before the buds swell.
For lime sulfur-based sprays, On the other hand, you need to apply it once on your tree during late winter before the buds start to swell. I hope you already know that spraying alone is not enough to help you alone in controlling control peach leaf curl.
Make sure you are also practicing proper sanitation practices, which include removing &destroying any infected leaves and debris, pruning out any infected branches off your tree, and keeping the area around your trees clean and free of weeds & debris.
Conclusion
I tried my best to list all the effective sprays you can use to treat peach tree leaf curls if you are dealing with it. Even though copper spray, dormant spray, and lime Surfer spray are all effective options, you can still try homemade solutions.
Make sure to use the correct type of spray for your specific disease and pest problem. Also, follow the instruction manual carefully to avoid harming your peach trees. Never mind if you don’t know what spray you should use.
Consult a professional arborist or horticulturist who can help diagnose the problem and recommend appropriate solutions. If you find this article helpful, then consider sharing it.
Your share will help many people learn about the benefits of using the homemade spray for peach leaf curl, which is the best spray for peach leaf curl. Do check our other helpful guide on peach tree Care Management and maintenance. See you in the next post. Till then, take care and goodbye.
