Chemical control
There are few fungicides that can be used specifically against the pear grate. They must be used early to prevent the spores from spreading further. An injection is only successful if it is carried out when typical symptoms first appear. Subsequent applications are useless because the fungus persists in the wood and is not damaged. Scab agents can also be used to fight the disease.
also read
- These diseases occur on the juniper
- What to do if the juniper turns brown
- How to cut an old juniper
Alternative methods
Since the rust fungi are very host-specific, an infection between juniper and pear tree is not always inevitable. Before proceeding to the drastic deforestation measure, you should find out whether the rust fungus can actually infect a fruit tree in the area. If this is not the case, a generous removal of the branches is usually sufficient. However, this measure does not ensure that the fungus has been completely removed. It often sits very deep in the wood.
prevention
In order to prevent the fungal spores from spreading, the life cycle must be interrupted. This is only possible if the two host plants do not grow in close proximity to each other. The spurs can easily overcome distances of 500 meters. To be on the safe side, no juniper should be planted within a kilometer of a pear tree.
Alternatively, you can choose robust varieties. The rust fungus colonizes the wood of Pfitzer's juniper, Chinese juniper and the Sade tree. The fungus can survive for years in the wood of these species and every spring develop new fruiting bodies that form masses of spores.
These species are not affected:
- Common Juniper (Juniperus communis)
- Creeping juniper (Juniperus horizontalis)
- Shed juniper (Juniperus squamata)
Plant strengthening
Regular use of horsetail and nettle extracts have proven effective in preventing infestation. The solution is sprayed all over the plant weekly. The contained silica strengthens the plants and makes them more robust against infestation by pear grate.
