Consultation of herbalist Josef Gallo: A sick raspberry and an unknown guest

A sick raspberry and an unknown guest

Could you advise me what the problem is with the raspberries? And what is the plant in the next picture sent? (J. Janoušek)

Raspberries are infected with a virus caterpillar mosaic – Nepovirus Arabs. It also attacks strawberries, blackberries, grapevines, currants, cherries, etc. Viral diseases cannot be cured and unfortunately other cultivated plants can also be attacked.

It is in the photo black eggplant (black nightshade) – a relatively common plant in our country, found especially in warmer areas in gardens, landfills, ruminants and similar places. The entire plant is considered poisonous because it contains, like other eggplant plants (e.g. potatoes or tomatoes), toxic solanine. The most of it is contained in completely unripe eggplant berries, similar to unripe green tomatoes. There is less of this substance in ripening fruits, leaves and stems, and least of all in ripe fruits. In some countries, black eggplant is considered a vegetable.

Discreet nutmeg eaters

I have been subscribing to your magazine for many years and always find a lot of interesting advice and ideas in it. And so I am asking for advice. What is eating my nutmeg leaf? Thank you and I wish you many happy readers. (email inquiry)

Moth caterpillars are very often harmful to geraniums (most often Autograph gamma, Phlogophora meticulosa, Teacher spp. etc.). Most of the time, we only encounter their meals, because the caterpillars stay hidden during the day. Karate with Zeon technology 5 CS, PROTECT DUO-PESTS AND MITES, SUBSTRAL CAREO Ultra – Spray against pests!, Corrosive pests STOP, etc. are allowed for treatment.

Perforated apricot leaves

I am asking for advice on what disease or pest our apricot is suffering from. She is barely 5 years old. This year the leaves have curled and are holey. I am asking for advice on how to treat her. (Langhamer)

The leaves of your apricot may be attacked by a disease – drought mottling of stone fruit leaves (Stigmina carpophila), which can occur on all stonecrops in areas with high rainfall. The disease mainly causes leaf holes on the leaves. Heavily infected leaves fall off. In addition to leaves, the pathogen can also attack other plant parts – shoots, buds, or even fruits. Preventive protection is the removal of fallen leaves on which the fungus overwinters. Carry out chemical treatment 2 to 3 weeks after flowering with permitted products Luna privilege, Zato 50 WG, etc. In rainy weather, it is advisable to repeat the treatment after 7 to 14 days.

Can sumac and chamomile be composted?

I am a long-time subscriber to Recipe and I would like to ask two questions.

What kind of compost would be created if chamomile were composted? This year, there is enough of it in our neighborhood, around the potato field of our agricultural cooperative after the headwaters, that I could fill several compost bins with it. What can it be used for, if it will be normal, or will it turn sour? I succeed in composting by putting the green matter in the composter and after a while, when it dries up, I throw it out in a heap and I do it this way throughout the season. I have three of these and I change them a few more times, so I use them gradually. Only the third year established this year.

And the second question: A neighbor planted four sumacs in his garden years ago. They were beautiful, but we didn’t know it was an expansive monster. Finally he ripped them all out and now it started. New saplings sprout from every broken root and every root. It has already grown to our property. As it sends out new and new rhizomes, I keep mowing it with a lawnmower and add the green matter to the compost with the other grass. I learned this year that it is a poisonous tree. I’ve been noticing for some time now that the cucumbers are not doing particularly well in the greenhouse where I put this particular compost. Tomatoes go here without a problem. Could this not be the cause of sumac toxicity? Every year I remove all the soil from the greenhouse and add new topsoil with my compost. Or if there is a problem, will the compost remain toxic for years to come? (Pařil Milan)

When you throw the composted material from the composter into a pile outside, occasionally add a layer of mature compost. This inoculates the green matter with appropriate microorganisms and speeds up and improves the quality of the composting process. Compost from chamomile will then be of the same quality as from any other plant, just watch out for ripe seeds.

Buckthorn sumac contains juice with resinous oil and tannins, which are poorly decomposable substances and, after decomposition, increase the acidity of the compost. Fallen walnut and oak leaves also contain similar substances. Here it is recommended to add some limestone when composting. However, toxic substances break down during decomposition and are not dangerous.

Rusty peonies

Hello, I grow woody peonies and for the last few years my leaves have been rusting and drying up. I would be very happy if you could advise me whether you would recommend treating the plant with some kind of preparation, or would you rather dig up the whole plant? (Václav Hnát)

Your peony can be attacked by a disease – rust Cronartium flaccidpossibly also peony leaf spotting Cladosporium peony. At the time of the appearance of the first symptoms on the leaves treat peonies with Folicur AL, Ortiva, Horizon 250 EW, etc. During wet rainy weather, it is advisable to repeat the treatment after 7 to 14 days.

Hibiscus thrips

I have a hibiscus infested with something. Please, if it would be possible to advise. (Martinkova)

Your hibiscus has probably been attacked by garden thrips. Permitted preparations affect thrips – Decis mega, Karate with Zeon technology 5 CS, Mospilan 20 SP, Raptol, SpinTor, SUBSTRAL CAREO Ultra, etc.

Handsome weed

Please identify the plant that grew spontaneously in our garden. (J. Picha)

It is on the sent photo edible make-up (Phytolacca acinosa) interesting in appearance and fruits. These are considered edible, and after special treatment, the leaves too. Even so, it can cause stomach upset in someone after ingestion, as small amounts of poisonous substances circulate in all parts of the plant. In addition, the fruits are tasty for birds, which spread the seeds around, so a pretty, interesting perennial can easily become a dreaded weed.

Freckled apples

Please specify the “disease” – apple defect. Even some part of the bug is like “glass”. I am asking for the identification of the disease and thus the question of how to ensure better quality apples. I already have a full pantry of snacks, otherwise the brown dots will get inside the apple and rot. (Shírová Jitka)

Perhaps every grower has already met with abiotic, physiological mottling (freckles) of apples. Even before ripening, or only during storage, grey-green, slightly sunken spots appear on the skin, which often grow. After slicing the apple, you will find that the pulp is covered with brown spots 3 to 5 mm in size under the skin. More large fruits suffer from the disorder with a small set. It is not a disease, but a physiological disorder caused by a (relative) lack of acceptable calcium in the soil, or its unavailability, especially in the dry and warm summer months. The occurrence of the disorder is significantly influenced by the course of the weather and the level of nutrition. The basic cause is considered to be low calcium content in the fruits. Differences in the susceptibility of varieties are significant. Of the older varieties, they are very sensitive, e.g. Angold, Coxova reneta, Dukat, from the newer varieties they are Bohemia, Rubín, Šampion, Topaz, Vanda, etc.

Preventive measures: The occurrence of this disorder can be reduced by optimizing growth and the ratio between growth and fertility (large fruits suffer more), harvesting at optimal harvest maturity, proper storage and harmonious nutrition, as well as selecting suitable, less susceptible varieties. Regular watering of plantings during the dry season will help. Balanced nutrition is important, especially not to over-fertilize with nitrogen, phosphorus and magnesium and ensure enough calcium. A maintenance and rejuvenation cut is suitable.

For sensitive varieties of apple trees, you cannot do without repeated application of foliar fertilizers with an increased calcium content to the leaves and fruits, e.g. Calcinit, Campofort Ultra Ca, Folit Ca, Harmonie Liquid Calcium, Lamag CALCIUM, Wuxal Calcium, etc. Alternatively, calcium chloride or saltpeter in a 0.5–1% concentration. These fertilizers should also be added to spraying against diseases and pests during the period of maximum fruit growth – from mid-July to the end of August. Repeat the treatment 3 to 5 times at intervals of 10 to 14 days. Start with lower concentrations, then gradually increase them until the pre-harvest period. The last two treatments before harvest are particularly important.

Spotted baby

Please advise. Libeček will grow beautifully in the spring and in a month it will start to wither and stain, is there any way to help it? (Star Jana)

Your pet is infected with a disease mottling of the leaves (Cercospora apii). You can treat it with the approved product Champion 50 WG, Tomato and cucumber diseases STOP, Ortiva, Score 250 EC, etc., when the first spots appear on the leaves. Observe the harvest protection period.

Heat can be damaging

I would like to ask for advice on how to help the cherry tree planted last year, which, judging by its condition, is certainly sick. It is not growing and its leaves look unhealthy. (Jana Šimková, t. no. Šumava)

Brown spots can be caused by dry, hot weather. The grubs on the leaves are from mealybug caterpillars.

About the author

JOSEF GALL has been involved in plant medicine, as well as plant cultivation, since 1970, when he graduated from the University of Agriculture in Brno. He worked at the Central Agricultural Inspection and Testing Institute in the plant protection department, and is still an active member of the Czech Plant Medicine Society.