Peach leaf curl (Taphrina deformans) is an infrequent but occasionally severe disease of peach and nectarine. The disease does not attack other fruit trees such as apples and cherries. A similar disease does attack plums. The pathogen infects peach buds from bud swell to bud opening under wet conditions and air temperatures in the 50° to 70° Fahrenheit range. Infections can take place in the spring from bud swell to bud opening. By the time symptoms are seen, the treatment window has passed. If your trees have this disease, you need to treat in the fall or early spring before budbreak. Fungicides labeled for peach leaf curl are Ferbam, Bordeaux mixture, and chlorothalonil. This publication has more information on peach leaf curl.
For a schedule of sprays necessary for the control of both insects and diseases on home fruit, refer to "Disease and Insect Control Programs for Homegrown Fruit in Kentucky Including Organic Alternatives, 2008" (www.ca.uky.edu/agc/pubs/id/id21/id21.pdf).
When using pesticides, be sure to read and follow all label instructions and precautions.
