frost peach questions

[eagle7779]

*** Hello all, I have two frost peach tree seedlings on M-9 dwarf rootstocks, I started them this past spring and they have grown very well.* I chose that particular variety of peach tree because they are supposed to be very hardy and resistant to most peach tree diseases. My question is that recently one of them has developed deep red spots on most of the leaves and the other had two or three leaves with the same spots (I plucked the leaves with those spots off the tree). My question is that looking at the california state university website under peach tree diseases seemed to reveal that those trees are infected with something called x-disease and that there is no cure for it and all you can do is to remove the tree and destroy it. I am wondering, is there any other condition that may create deep red spots on peach tree leaves, I hate the idea of destroying my only two trees.

Thank you
Craig

[Newt]

Hi Craig,

There are other diseases and viruses that imitate Peach X Disease, with peach leaf curl one of those.* The University of California Extension site is a large one and there are several different ones for different areas.* I looked around the UC Davis site and didn't find a description of the x-virus.* Here's the main page for peach disorders.
http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/selectnewpest.peach.html

Can you supply the link to the site you used?*

The only way to tell for certain would be to have the leaves tested, and even then there might not be a definative diagnosis.* Are you in California?

From this site under #2 for the X-disease group which shows 6 different strains:
http://web.uniud.it/phytoplasma//pap/seem2700.Html

"2. X-disease (X) group

X-disease of cherry, peach, and Japanese plum
Peach rosette (PR)
Peach yellows (PY)
Walnut witches'-broom
Pecan bunch
? Little peach
? Peach red suture

PD[Pear Decline] is widespread in North America, Europe, and probably other areas, whereas PYLR [Peach Yellow Leaf Curl] is only known from California. Although the geographic restriction of PYLR and the wide distribution of PD seem to indicate a different etiology, all attempts to distinguish the agents of the two diseases by molecular methods have failed."

Do you see shortening of leaf internodes and leaf curling as well as the spots?*

Take a look at this site under peach to see if anything else might fit.* Look especially under 'Bacterial Spot' as well as 'X-disease' and 'Yellows'.
http://www.caf.wvu.edu/kearneysville/wvufarm8b.html

Lmk what you discover and we can go from there.
Newt

[eagle7779]

Thankyou for the prompt reply, actually I am in Portland Oregon. I did a google search for peach tree diseases and the cal university was one of the first links that came up. Enclosed is a link to the x-disease description with color pictures included http://www.caf.wvu.edu/kearneysville.../ompxdis.html. That's what was so discouraging because the spots look very similar to what appeared on my trees. I saw in your reply that you asked about curling and shortening of leaf internodes. There is no curling of leaves but what is a leaf internode? The tree just has dark red spots all over the leaves and seems to still be growing. Ya know after taking a second look at the photo, the x disease picture on the link above seems to show the spots as being more of a brown color than what my tree is showing. I looked at the links you enclosed below the one from west virginia university links to the same directory I looked on to find the link I followed. anyway, for now, I am going to let them grow and see what happens. They definately have something but it may or may not be x-disease so we'll see.
Thank you
Craig

[Newt]

Craig, you are very welcome!* A leaf internode is where the leaf attaches to the branch or stem of a plant.



With the X-disease the leaves curl inward at the tips.* Peaches are prone to many different leaf spot diseases such as bacterial spot listed on that site I gave you. Do clean up any fallen leaves as soon as possible.

Good luck,
Newt

[eagle7779]

[align=left]Howdy, thanks for the info that you provided. I have two of the peach trees in question. One has the red spots all over about half of the tree the other one had developed spots on a couple of the leaves and I took them off although its probably too late anyway. I know they have something but after looking at them I don't think its x disease. I looked last night and noticed that the one that had only a few spots had several leaves that started curling inward at the tips so I guess it may now have peach leaf curl. Is there any cure for that?[/align]
[align=left]Good day[/align]
[align=left]Craig[/align]

[Newt]

Bordeaux mixture or copper sulfate spray are organic fungicides you can use for peach leaf curl.* Here's some info on peach leaf curl.
http://www.caf.wvu.edu/kearneysville.../omplfcrl.html

Here's more info.* I DO NOT recommend Ziram or Chlorothalonil here, but there are 2 other fungicides that are organic.
http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/r602100311.html

*Newt

[eagle7779]

[align=left]Thanks for the info, well I don't think I have that going on. Those leaves are pretty severely curled and decrepid looking. My tree just had a couple of leaves curled inward from the tip and no discoloration of the foliage, who knows maybe I am being too paranoid since I heard that growing peaches are very risky at best. I have a feeling things will be allright though. So we'll see what happens. I will be in touch if anything changes.[/align]
[align=left]Thanks for your info and help; I will keep the sprays in mind.[/align]
[align=left]Good day[/align]
[align=left]Craig[/align]

[Newt]

Craig, glad to know all this is helping.* Plants will often curl their leaves in times of stress.* It could be your trees are a bit stressed with either heat or drought or both.* You could contact your local extension service and ask about having some of the leaves diagnosed.*
http://extension.oregonstate.edu/

If they do diagnose either a bacterial or fungal problem, you can make your own sprays that are organic.* This site also has organic remedies for insects and critters and good ideas for companion planting.* Just look at the bar at the top and click.
http://www.ghorganics.com/page15.html

Peaches are one of the most difficult of fruits to grow so don't get too discouraged.

Newt

[eagle7779]

[align=left]Thanks for your advice and info, I really appreciate it. Orchard growing is a new thing to me and I just want everything to go right, you know how it is when you have a new toy so to speak. Anyway it appears that they are still growing it would be interesting to find out what the one tree with the red spots does really have, if it continues into next year, I may pull a couple of leaves for analysis. As far as the leaves curling, it may be stress but I don't know from what, we have had a relatively cool summer, the trees are in pots and I give them plenty of water so we'll see what happens. So where are you and this website based out of, I didn't notice a location for your base of operations? As time goes on, I will explore more of the website, it seems jam packed with valuable info and such; you guys have a great thing going here. [/align]

[Newt]

I didn't realize you want to grow an orchard.* Take a look here and see if any of this interests you.
http://attra.ncat.org/attra-pub/fruitover.html

If you do have the leaves tested I hope you return and let us know what you find out.

Thanks for the compliment about the site.* There is a wealth of info here so enjoy exploring.* The site is located out of Washington state.* I live in Maryland and I'm just an enthusiast that answers questions.* :)*

Newt