Diseases and pests of strawberries and methods of combating them

Strawberry is an extremely popular berry in our country.This is one of the reasons we are waiting for the summer to feast on this natural dessert. There are a lot of ways to use it: you can use it as a filling for sweet dishes, prepare yogurts, juices and jams, freeze for long-term storage, or simply use in its original form. However, there is always a risk of being left without a crop.

The reasons may be many. Temperature drops, high humidity or dryness, soil poverty. But the most terrible threat to strawberries are various diseases and pests. Many varieties are resistant to various ailments and increased immunity. But this advantage does not completely eliminate the risk of infection.

To understand what ailment torments growing strawberries, you need to be able to recognize its signs. Having identified the threat, you can figure out how to deal with it correctly. First you need to identify the main signs that indicate that your strawberry is unhealthy.

1. Wilting leaves - probably the culture is not enough moisture. Another such problem may be the infection with verticillary wilting or invasion of pests that feed on the roots (for example, bearheads).
2. Drying leaves - it is obvious that the culture was struck by a harmful fungus, for example, gray rot or powdery mildew.
3. Yellowing leaves - Strawberry is sick with chlorosis or it is plagued by strawberry mites. Often this happens when there is a shortage of nitrogen and magnesium in the soil.
4. Leaves curled - again this is one of the symptoms of powdery mildew. And the reason may be an attack of aphids or spider mites. The same thing happens if you exceed the volume of treatments with chemicals. Or the plant suffers from a lack of moisture.
5. Fruits rot - Moisture level is increased. Either the landing is too thick, so the lack of ventilation affects. However, the reason may be more terrible - root, black or gray rot.
6. The appearance of stains on the sheet plates - Another sign of fungal diseases. Although the problem may be a lack of nitrogen or acidity of the soil.
7. Flowering does not begin - there can be many reasons. Perhaps, the landing dates are violated or the hot weather is kept for a long time. If the bush has a large amount of greenery at the same time, it means that it is oversaturated with nitrogen. Or there are too many weeds near the strawberries that prevent it from developing properly.

However, there are many more problems and their causes. Let's take a closer look at the diseases and signs that threaten strawberries, and at the same time we will voice ways to deal with each of them.

Verticillary wilting is a fungal disease affecting the vessels of plants. The root system, its neck and sockets are hit. The bush begins to fade quickly. Recognize the disease by changing the color of the leaves. They acquire a red-yellow or dark brown shade. New healthy leaves do not grow. Dark spots and streaks appear on the antennae and petioles.

The fungus that spreads the disease has been living in the soil for several years. It is capable of infecting vegetables, other plants and even weeds. As a result of infection, more than half of the entire crop is killed. If the soil is sandy, the infected crop dies much faster. Just one week is enough.

To avoid infection of strawberries, you need to choose varieties that are immune to this disease. Treat the seeds before planting and observe crop rotation. It is not recommended to plant strawberries on sites where tomatoes, potatoes or peppers were previously grown.

Late blight is another fungal disease whose distributors multiply using zoospores.The most common infection. It affects many different plants, wild and cultivated. Often, spores enter the soil and infect the roots, but they can also act on the above-ground parts of plants. The infection is most active in the last months of the summer, especially if they are rainy.

Strawberry bushes, as a rule, are located at a small distance from each other, because of which the disease quickly wanders from one bush to another. In a short time, roots, leaves and stalks are infected. Harvest is rapidly dying. To determine the disease can be on brown spots of decay on the surface of the leaves. And if at the time of infection the fruit had time to form, they will have the hardest. Brown spots will appear on them, the flesh will become bitter and tough.

Fungal spores usually overwinter on last year’s plants. As a result of the impact of the disease, the crop may die entirely

Fusarium - a fungus that affects many plants, crops and even trees. Unlike late blight develops in hot and dry weather. This headache for gardeners, as they suffer from the disease mainly vegetables. But it does not bypass strawberries.

Recognize the disease can be on brown spots on the leaves of the culture and brown color of shoots and petioles. After a while, the leaves dry out and curl.

Infected plants should be sprayed with Benorad, Fundazol and Horus. If the disease prevails, you need to completely remove all the bushes and burn them, and treat the infected area with Nitrafen. It must be at least five years before strawberries can be planted in the same place.

For the prevention of fusarium fit biological fungicides. Spraying is recommended once every two weeks. The same preparations are used to treat seedlings before planting. The risk of disease will be much lower if you choose resistant varieties - Sonata, Alice, Christine, Omsk, Bohemia, Capri or Flamenco.

Gray rot - a disease that is able to compete in prevalence with late blight. The fungus infects the roots of plants, and then spreads through the rest of its parts. First, the leaves and fruits begin to die, then rotting begins, the plant fades and dies.

Spores of the disease are located in the soil, where they infect the roots or seeds. The affected strawberry bush becomes watery, and then begins to dry. At the same time, he himself becomes a source of infection. To determine the disease can be on brown spots on the fruit, which eventually turn into a gray plaque.

The disease spreads with increased humidity, especially if the planting is too thick. Spores are transmitted both through moisture and through the air. Sometimes they are carried around the site by various insects.

If you find signs of gray rot on some bushes, immediately get rid of these bushes. Treat the rest with fungicides (Switch or Alirin-B). And in order to reduce the risk of disease, plant strawberries in well ventilated areas, observing the optimal distances between bushes. Also, do not overfeed the culture with nitrogen, so that the green mass does not become too thick.

Spotting - a fungal disease that manifests itself in different forms, which can greatly harm the plant. The most common types of spotting: brown, white, brown.

It begins to develop in early spring, and in July it attacks at full strength. It can be determined by the spots growing on the leaves. They have a reddish color with brown blurred edges. The movement of the juice inside the plant is disturbed and it dies.The disease can affect not only the current, but also the next harvest.

Fungicides Sweet and Falcon will help to cope with the disease. For the prevention of spraying strawberry Bordeaux liquid, also do not forget to carry out autumn and spring pruning and removal of weeds.

Develops in the period of flowering or ripening. If run, can ruin the entire crop entirely. You can determine the disease by spots with a diameter of one centimeter. The color is light, the edges are brown or purple, and they are located on the top of the bush. Affected leaves, as a rule, fall away, and the bush itself lies on the ground.

This spot spreads at high humidity. For example, if it turned out to be too rainy, if there is a lot of dew on this site, or you water strawberries too often. Excess organic fertilizer also affects.

Fungicides Ridomil, Switch and Topaz are used for treatment. For prevention, strawberries are sprayed with preparations containing copper. In addition, it is necessary to feed the culture with potassium and phosphorus in a timely manner.

Also known as angular. This type of spotting got its second name for a peculiar form of manifestation. Leaves form spots of gray-brown color, which stretch along the central vein and have an angular shape.

The effect of the disease is also special. It not only destroys the leaves, but also reduces the resistance of the plant, because of which it is not able to endure the cold winter.

In the event of a disease, infected bushes should be immediately removed, and the rest treated with Fitosporin and transplanted to a new location. For five years it is better not to plant anything on the site that is not immune to spotting. And do not forget about spring prevention, namely, spraying the culture with fungicides and Bordeaux mixture.

A dangerous fungus that quickly spreads through the air. He is also able to “travel” with the help of water or be transported on foreign objects.

With the disease, the plant covers white bloom, which greatly slows down photosynthesis, which causes the bush to die. At first this bloom is barely noticeable, it appears on the bottom of the leaves. Then it spreads throughout the runaway. Plant growth ceases, the leaves dry out and curl.

If by this time the berries have ripened, they will have a perverted shape and nasty taste. Favorable condition for the development of the disease is high humidity. But the moisture in the soil for her is also an advantage.

More commonly known as root rot. Spores of this fungus are moved in the same way as in the case of powdery mildew. The risk of infection is highest if the plant is damaged.

Unfortunately, the disease is difficult to determine. Signs on the aerial parts appear only in late terms. First, the roots turn black and slimy, and then begin to dry. Then the infection moves to the top.

Since it is impossible to identify the disease in time, it is almost impossible to cure it. Infected bushes must be removed and the soil beneath them must be watered with Bordeaux mixture or copper preparation.

It is recommended to carry out active preventive work. Before planting strawberries, treat seedlings with a solution of Previkur or Fitosporina. Do not forget to follow the rules of care and try to avoid excessive watering.

The disease is actively developing with a lack of nutrients or the presence of damage. Spores of the fungus are spread by wind, moisture or insects.

The disease manifests itself in the form of reddish spots on the leaves. They gradually grow, merge with each other and form ulcers.A pink-yellow liquid is released from the cracked wounds. With extensive infection, the bush dries, becomes brittle and dies. Also, the disease can be recognized by brown indented spots on the berries.

To combat the disease using drugs "Fundazol" or "Skor". The least exposed to anthracnose varieties are Pegan, Idea, Daver and Pelican.

The name speaks for itself. Orange, red or brown spots appear on strawberry leaves. At the same time, the affected areas swell a little. Over time, the spots grow and merge with each other, covering the main part of the sheet. Over time, the leaves wither and fall. At the same time, the bush weakens, the process of chlorophyll production weakens.

The most susceptible to infection is the strawberry, which grows in the same place for more than five years. Also the shade covering bushes can be fault. Another reason - the weeds that carry the infection.

To avoid infection of leaf rust, should be planted strawberries away from fruit trees. And control the development of bushes, so that they do not grow beyond measure. Keep track of the level of nitrogen introduced during feeding. If affected leaves are noticed, remove them immediately.

Many strawberry varieties have high resistance and immunity against diseases. But not all of them are equally resistant to various pests. You have to fight them every season. We will tell you about the most terrible enemies of strawberries and how to defeat them.

Birds are ambiguous guests on your site. On the one hand, they reduce the number of malicious insects, and on the other, they are not averse to eating various fruits.

And if insects can be removed from their site, then it is impossible to get rid of the birds. Sparrows, crows, magpies, starlings and other feathered representatives will constantly feed on it. Birds pick the ripest and largest berries. And if you do not take action, their attacks will become regular. As a result, the entire crop of strawberries will be eaten.

Experienced gardeners have in stock several ways to deal with them.

1. Grid - it can be purchased at the store of household goods. Cover them for planting so that the birds do not get to the fruit.
2. Shiny items - Arrange them around the site at a height of one meter. For these purposes, suitable, for example, unnecessary digital discs or foil. Their brilliance will scare away the birds.
3. Ultrasonic Repeller - created to save your site from the raids of rodents and birds. Can be found in specialty stores.

One of the most terrible enemies of strawberries. They feed on both leaves and fruits. And at the same time spoil the bush with its vile slime. Distributed in areas with high humidity at high temperatures.

Depending on the variety can act both day and night. To display them will not be easy. This can help drugs Met and Thunderstorm. It is better to carry out preventive measures that significantly reduce the risk of attack of slugs.

First, beds with strawberries can be mulched film. The temperature regime under it will kill the slugs. Secondly, on the site is to dig the grooves and cover them with lime, ash or pepper. They will scare away the pests. Third, sprinkle superphosphate and potassium salt around strawberries, which are lethal to slugs.

Beetle, which is difficult to see because of its small size. The body of insects does not grow more than three millimeters. They are gray or black.

These insects spend the winter in dry, fallen leaves, and in the spring they go hunting. Despite its small dimensions, one such bug is capable of killing more than 40 bushes before the ripening of fruits begins. He lays eggs in the buds. When the larvae hatch, they begin to feed on strawberry flowers. Then the older beetles move to the leaves.

Only special preparations can cope with weevils. In the event of an attack, spray with Corsair, Aktellikom, Karbofos and Zolon.

Small but very voracious creatures. They feed on both the roots and the aboveground part of plants. In this case, all cultures are used, including strawberries. It is a real headache for gardeners. The larvae gnaw through the roots of plants, because of which various pathogens of infection can get into them.

For the winter, the larvae go deep into the ground, so the usual digging will not help you. Some gardeners use traditional methods. First, collect the larvae from the bushes by hand, and secondly, watering the beds with a solution of ammonia. Also helps tincture of onion peel. If these pests are divorced too much, you will have to use chemicals "Zemlin" or "Antihrushcha."

Tiny worms the size of one millimeter. They feed on green strawberries. But before embarking on food, the nematodes inject a liquid into the tissue that softens them.

Because of the tiny size, it’s almost impossible to see these worms. To determine their presence can be on the appearance of the bush. It grows slowly, the flowers bloom poorly, the leaves turn yellow, and the berries grow ugly.

Nematode can not only destroy the crop, but also harm your health. Berry from the affected bush can be poisoned. Symptoms such as nausea, weakness and muscle pain will appear.

Treat infected bushes useless, they should be immediately destroyed. And in order to avoid a threat, it is recommended to fertilize strawberries with manure. Thanks to him, the simplest fungi that kill the parasites develop in the soil. Also before planting it is worth treating the seedlings with warm water. And in the process of growth, it can be sprayed with chemicals like “Heterofos” or “Lindane”.

At first glance, harmless insects, but they can bring a lot of trouble to gardeners. Strawberries are the favorite dish of ants. They feed on berries, leaves and roots. A subspecies of turf ants at all settles down anthills directly in the rhizomes of plants.

To cope with them, you can spray the strawberries with chemicals. For example, Aktara, Fitoverm or Iskra. Another way is to place poisonous traps with baits on the beds.

Small insects whose livelihoods are closely related to the life of ants. So these two woes usually bring strawberries together. Aphids not only weakens the plant itself, but is also a carrier of various diseases.

To determine its presence can slow the blooming of flowers and fruit ripening, twisted sluggish leaves, as well as modified tops of the shoots.

Strawberry whitefly is small butterflies. You can confuse with moths. They are usually located on the lower part of the leaves and suck the juice from them. At the same time, the leaves themselves are covered with a whitish bloom and fungus, over time they lose their green color, turn black and die.

To combat the mass invasion of whiteflies, Konfidor and Aktar are used. You can use and folk remedies, namely shampoo or flea spray. There is another way. These flying insects for some reason attracts yellow color. Therefore, experienced gardeners often make distracting lures from yellow cardboard and smear them with glue or honey.

Brown beetle of small size, fully justifies its name. It feeds on strawberry leaves, being located at the bottom of them. Beetles lay eggs on stalks. The hatched larvae also feed on the leaves, and cause much more damage to the culture than the beetles themselves. As a result, the bush is weaker and ceases to bear fruit.

The risk of leaf beetles is reduced if you sprinkle the area with tobacco dust in early spring.But in this case you need to comply with the measure, the dust can affect the taste of berries. Also, the bushes can be sprayed with drugs "Karate" or "Karbofos." And do not forget about regular weeding. After all, weeds attract leaf beetles.

Strawberry mite is a very dangerous pest for strawberries. These insects are so small that it is impossible to see them. However, their presence is reported by small brown spots on the leaves, which eventually begin to turn yellow. Mites are unable to destroy the bushes, but the volume of the crop is markedly reduced.

If you notice these signs, crops should be immediately treated with Actellic, Fufanon or Kemifos. Reducing the risk of tick attack will help preventive spraying "karbofos." Still it is necessary to carry out heat treatment of saplings before planting. By the way, Torpedo, Zarya, Vityaz and Zenga-Zengana varieties are highly resistant to these insects.

A small pest settling on the lower part of the leaves. It is difficult to detect, but you can learn about its presence by thin light threads that entangle the bush. Threads are like spider webs, so the tick got its name. It feeds on strawberry juice, because of which its leaves and stems begin to dry.

The spider mite is not quite an insect, so the usual drugs are not afraid of him. Acaricides such as Neoron, Vertimec, Apollo, or Akarin should be used. And, by the way, each time they need to be changed, because the pest adapts very quickly. For the prevention of bushes can be processed onion tincture or decoction of cyclamen tubers. But folk remedies do not always help.

Resistant to the attack of spider mites are varieties Anastasia, Cinderella Kuban, Sunrise and First Grader.

But pests and diseases are not the only thing that worries summer residents and gardeners. Every year they face the same problem, namely weeds.

These harmful plants cause a lot of trouble. First, they prevent crops from growing properly. Secondly, weeds absorb nutrients and beneficial substances that are present in the soil. Because of what strawberries may lack them, and this will negatively affect the yield. Thirdly, weeds can be carriers of infections and attract insects, leading to new problems.

Of course, you can give up on this misfortune, in the hope that this time it will not cause significant damage. But if you are interested in a large quality harvest, you will have to make an effort. There are several ways to deal with this disease. Consider the most common.

• Traditional - It means perepashku plot, which will later be planted strawberries. This will help get rid of the roots of perennial weeds. But others will take their place. Weeding, as a rule, has to be done quite often. It is desirable after each watering. Agree, it takes a lot of time and effort.
• Chemical - rarely used in gardens. Still, herbicides are a poison that can be dangerous not only for weeds, but also for crops, animals and even people. In addition, not all plants are susceptible to chemicals.

• Mulching - the most effective way to date. It consists in covering the landings with special materials that do not allow the weeds to grow.
• Nonwoven dark materials are the cheapest. They pass air, moisture and sunlight, do not enter into any reaction with substances, and also fungi are not formed and multiply beneath them. With proper operation, the material does not come into contact with the ground, and therefore remains clean even during the rainy season. And also popular is polypropylene agrofibre.

Typically, these coatings are more than three years. So, you do not have to think about updating it before strawberry transplant to a new place.

Cover the area with the material needed in the fall or spring, before planting strawberries. First, dig and level the bed. Spread fiber on it and make holes in it, in which you will plant bushes. The edges of the shelter can not be left free so that it does not move. They need to be fixed with metal pins.

By the way, modern agrofibre, which can be purchased in specialized stores, is treated with substances that increase resistance to ultraviolet radiation.

As you can see, there are many threats to strawberries. And you never predict which one to face this year. Therefore, it is recommended to regularly carry out a set of preventive measures that will significantly reduce the possible risks.

• The first and most important rule - observe crop rotation. Strawberries should not be grown in the same place for more than four years. When it comes to remontant varieties - no more than two years.
• If diseases often occur in your area or insects are found, choose the most resistant strawberry varieties.
• In the spring, when the snow melts, clean and burn dry leaves. They are a breeding ground for infections and pests. The soil after this is recommended to spray Bordeaux liquid or solution of potassium permanganate.

• Do not forget to get rid of weeds and water strawberries under the root. Sprinkling method causes different rot. And keep the level of fertilizer applied.
• Experienced gardeners are advised to plant onions or garlic between the rows of strawberries. Their smell repels pests and protects the culture from rot.
• Sprinkle the beds with boric acid or baking soda. It will scare away ants.
• Watch closely for strawberries during fruiting. If you notice rotten berries, remove them immediately.
• To protect the strawberries from wasps, arrange between the rows of small containers with sweet syrup.
• When fruiting is over, remove the old leaves and spray the bushes with chemicals.

Before winter, the infected and dry parts of strawberries should be cut off and burned. Many do not pay attention to the last point, which leads to old problems in the next season. It is in the old foliage that microorganisms and small insects spend the winter.

And yet, even this amount of effort does not guarantee complete security for your garden strawberries. But now you know how to recognize the threat, and what methods to use against it. This will help to save a significant part of the harvest and enjoy all the pleasures of this magnificent berry.

For more information on how to save strawberries from pests, see the following video.