Mulberry diseases: what is it, pests and diseases, care
Every plant is a world. To understand and nurture them, we need to know their needs and preferences. Good vegetable care is reflected in their appearance and the production of flowers and fruits. In the case of blackberries, it is crucial to provide them with specific requirements and ability to recognize and treat various mulberry diseases to gather its fruits.
In this article, we will explain what mulberry trees are, the most common pests and diseases that attack them, and how to care for them. If you are considering growing these vegetables, don’t hesitate to read on.
What is a mulberry?
Before we talk about mulberry diseases, let’s first explain what this vegetable is. It is a deciduous tree found in North America, Asia and Africa. It is part of the genus More y It is cultivated mainly for its fruit, blackberries, but also for decorating gardens and orchards.
Our mulberry they grow quite quickly and can reach a height of up to 15 meters. As for the leaves of this plant, they are straight and alternate and have serrated edges. The flowers are usually grouped in spines and are unisexual. As for mulberry fruits, they usually have a length ranging from two to three centimeters.
As expected, there are different species More. The most popular are:
- black mulberry (black mulberry): It comes from southwest Asia. It is more tender than other species, but also the most cultivated. This is because its fruit is sweeter and more aromatic than other mulberries and has more properties.
- White mulberry (White mulberry): It comes from East Asia. It is the most resistant variety to both diverse climates and pests. However, the fruit of this tree is not usually eaten because it is very tasteless. It is grown mainly for its leaves, as they provide food for silkworms.
- Red elm (red mulberry): It comes from the eastern part of North America. Like the previous species, this one is also very resistant to various climatic conditions. The wood of this tree is widely used to produce furniture, and the fruit is very popular in gastronomy.
Pests and diseases of mulberry
Like all plants, mulberry can also suffer from various pathologies. The most common pests include aphids and mealybugs. Both are very irritating and can cause earnest damage if we don’t take action in time. There are many home remedies and insecticides that will support us fight these pests.
If you want to learn more, you can read articles on how to eliminate aphids with a fairy and how to remove mealybugs from plants. But what really interests us now is knowing the most common mulberry diseases.
root rot
First of all, we have root rot. It is a fungal disease that directly attacks the roots. As is often the case with fungus, it usually appears when moisture levels are very high. This is why, Excessive irrigation may cause this disease to occur. As a result, the roots rot and lose their ability to transport both nutrients and water to the rest of the plant.
What can we do if our blackberry tree is affected? The only solution is to operate fungicides. However, if the disease is very advanced, we will not be able to save the plant.
Chancre
Another of the most common mulberry diseases is canker or canker. This pathology, also of fungal origin, affects various areas of the plant. However, we can distinguish this disease by: the appearance of spots resembling burns on the bark. These spots are usually gloomy and appear on the hardest parts. Before emerging, mulberry leaves wither.
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Crayfish or Chancros in gardening
To fight cancer and save our blackberries, it’s best to do this Trim the entire affected area. It is extremely crucial that we operate disinfected tools and then apply the medicated paste to the injured areas. We also need to apply a fungicide to protect the rest of the plant.
Mycospherella
When we talk about Mycospherellawe refer to a genus of fungi that attack various plants, including blackberries. It causes a number of spots to appear on the leaves. They are compact in size and their color varies from brown to white. Consequently, leaves cannot perform photosynthesis negatively affecting both the plant and its production.
As in the previous case, the best solution is to prune the affected areas and apply fungicides. In all mulberry diseases, the sooner we detect them and start treatment, the greater our chance of curing the mulberry tree.
Gum
Gumosis is also one of the most common mulberry diseases. This pathology is manifested by the excretion of sap through the trunk. This juice is amber in color and looks very similar to gum. The affected area cracks, causing the vegetable to lose part of its bark.
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How to treat gum disease?
Treatment for gum disease involves scraping the affected area until well wood is reached. We have to submit an application there a mixture of lime and sulfur to protect the plant from further damage and support it heal.
How to care for a blackberry tree?
Of course, we must be aware that our plants are not affected by pests, diseases or fungi. The best we can do is prevent something from happening to them provide them with all the care they need. This will reduce the risk of mulberry diseases. Let’s see how to care for a blackberry tree:
- Location: The blackberry should be in full sun. Additionally, it is recommended to plant it at least five meters away from any building or structure to avoid problems. The soil must have good drainage.
- Temperature: Mulberry trees can withstand temperatures down to -18°C. However, they are unable to survive in very scorching climates without frost.
- Irrigation: While it is true that blackberries do not require a lot of water, it is crucial to water them and keep the soil soggy. It is best to water them every 4-5 days, and in summer about 4-5 times a week.
- Subscriber: When they need food the most is summer and spring. During these two seasons, we must fertilize mulberry trees regularly. It is best to combine different organic fertilizers every month.
- Pruning: When it comes to pruning your blackberry, it should be done at the end of winter. Basically, the idea is to remove any branches that are faint, dehydrated or diseased.
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How and when to prune a mulberry tree?
Knowing a little more about mulberry care and diseases, why not plant it in our orchard or garden? If you like these types of berries, I recommend checking out this article on growing blueberries in the garden.