Each plant is a world. To understand and cultivate them, we need to know their needs and preferences. When vegetables are well cared for, it shows in their appearance and in the production of their flowers and fruits. In the case of blackberries, it is essential to provide them with certain requirements and know how to identify and treat the different mulberry diseases reap its fruits.
In this article, we’ll explain what mulberries are, what are the most common pests and diseases that affect them, and how to care for them. If you are considering growing these vegetables, feel free to keep reading.
Contents
What is a mulberry?
Before talking about mulberry diseases, let’s first clarify what this vegetable is. It is a deciduous tree native to North America, Asia and Africa. It belongs to the genus bitten Yes It is grown mainly for its fruits, blackberries, but also to decorate gardens and orchards.
the mulberry trees they grow quite fast and can reach a height of 15 meters. As for the leaves of this plant, they are simple and alternate and have serrated edges. Its flowers are usually grouped in spikes and are unisexual. As for the fruits of mulberry trees, these generally have a length that varies between two and three centimeters.
As expected, there are different species of bitten. The most popular are:
- morus nigra (black mulberry): Native to Southwest Asia. It is more delicate than other species, but also the most cultivated. Indeed, its fruits are sweeter and more aromatic than those of other blackberries and have more properties.
- morus alba (white mulberry): Native to East Asia. It is the most resistant variety both to varied climates and to pests. However, the fruits of this tree are usually not eaten, as they are very tasteless. It is mainly cultivated for its leaves, since they feed the silkworms.
- morus rubra (red mulberry): It comes from eastern North America. Like the previous species, this one also resists very well to different climates. The wood of this tree is commonly used to make furniture, while the fruits are highly valued in gastronomy.
Mulberry pests and diseases
Like all plants, the mulberry can also suffer from various pathologies. Among the most common pests are aphids and scale insects. Both are very annoying and can cause serious damage if we don’t act in time. There are many home remedies and insecticides that will help us fight these pests.
If you want to know more, you can read the articles on how to eliminate aphids with the fairy and how to eliminate mealybugs from plants. But what really interests us now is to know the most frequent diseases of the mulberry tree.
root rot
First, we have root rot. It is a fungal disease that attacks the roots directly. As is often the case with mushrooms, it usually appears when the humidity level is very high. So, Excess irrigation can be the trigger for the onset of this disease. As a result, the roots rot and lose the ability to transport both nutrients and water to the rest of the plant.
What can we do if our mulberry tree is affected? The only solution is to apply 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. Also of fungal origin, this pathology affects different areas of the plant. However, we can distinguish this disease by the appearance of burn-like spots on the bark. These spots are usually dark and appear on the hardest parts. Before it appears, the leaves of the mulberry tree wither.
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Cankers or cankers in gardening
To fight canker and save our mulberry tree, it is best to Trim the entire affected area. It is of the utmost importance that we use disinfected tools and then apply a healing paste to the cut areas. It is also necessary to use a fungicide to protect the rest of the plant.
Mycosphaerella
When we talk about Mycosphaerella, we refer to a genus of fungi that attack various plants, including mulberry. It causes a series of spots to appear on the leaves. They are small in size and their color varies from brown to white. Consequently, leaves cannot photosynthesize negatively affecting both the plant and its production.
As in the previous case, pruning the affected areas and applying fungicides is the best solution. In all mulberry diseases, the earlier we detect them and begin treatment, the better our chances of recovering the mulberry.
gummosis
Gummosis is also one of the most common diseases of mulberry. This pathology is manifested by the expulsion of sap from the trunk. This sap is amber in color and looks a lot like gum. The affected area cracks, so the vegetable eventually loses some of the bark.
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How to treat gummosis?
Treatment for gummosis involves scraping the affected area until healthy wood is reached. Here we have to apply a mixture of lime and sulfur to protect the plant from further damage and help it heal.
How to maintain a mulberry tree?
Obviously we must be aware that our plants do not suffer from pests, diseases or fungi. To try to prevent something from happening to them, the best we can do is give them all the care they need. This will reduce the risk of mulberry diseases appearing. Let’s see how to care for a mulberry tree:
- Location: The mulberry should be located in full sun. In addition, it is advisable to plant it at least five meters from any building or construction, to avoid problems. The soil should have good drainage.
- Temperature: Mulberries can withstand down to -18ºC. However, they are not able to survive in very hot, frost-free climates.
- Irrigation: While it’s true that mulberries don’t require a lot of water, it’s important to water them and keep the soil moist. It is best to water them every 4-5 days, and in the summer about 4-5 times a week.
- Subscriber: When they need food the most is in summer and spring. Mulberry trees should be fertilized regularly during these two seasons of the year. It is better to combine various ecological fertilizers monthly.
- Cut: As for the pruning of the mulberry tree, this must be done at the end of winter. It basically involves removing all those branches that are weak, dry or diseased.
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How and when to prune the Mulberry tree?
Knowing a little more about mulberry care and diseases, why not plant it in our orchard or garden? If you like this type of berry, I recommend you take a look at this article on how to grow berries in a garden.