Raspberry leaves turn red in June: why is this happening and what to do about it

Changing the color of raspberry leaves is a problem that sooner or later faced every gardener. In June, green leaves are covered with reddish, brown or reddish-purple spots, small dots or bubbles. There are several reasons for this phenomenon: phosphorus deficiency in the soil, the development of fungal diseases and the spread of insects. In the article, we will tell you why raspberry leaves turn red in June, what to do with infected bushes and how to prevent the problem.

Why do raspberry leaves turn red

The reasons for the reddening of raspberry leaves in early summer are associated with a deficiency of minerals in the soil, the spread of fungal infections and insect pests. The first symptoms appear in June - against the background of bright green foliage, red or violet-red leaves with dark and dry spots are visible.

Lack of trace elements

Phosphorus is the main element necessary for raspberries for full growth and development... Its deficiency causes a delay in flowering and fruiting of the shrub. Gardeners notice the first symptoms of phosphorus deficiency in the spring, during the period of budding. Plants that are deficient in this element set buds later than expected. The second sign of a lack of phosphorus is the fall of flowers and the simultaneous reddening of the leaves. Gradually, all foliage begins to dry and deform.

Diseases

Fungal infections are one of the most common causes of redness in foliage. Against the background of high humidity and thickening of the plantings, raspberry diseases such as:

1. Anthracnose. Reddish specks appear on the leaves, gradually increasing in diameter.
2. Septoria. The fungal disease first affects the lower leaves, which are covered with red spots, and gradually spreads to the entire bush. Affected foliage begins to dry and fly around. Brown spots with a dark border appear on the leaves, spots at the base appear on the shoots.
3. Verticillosis. A dangerous fungal disease that causes a decrease in yield by 2-3 times. The first signs of infection are dry leaves with dark red spots and cracked stems.

Pests

Insect pests are another reason for the reddening of raspberry leaves and the death of the entire bush. The raspberries are most often attacked by the following pests:

1. Gallica. The pest resembles a small yellow mosquito, feeds on plant sap, arrives at the site in June. Small red spots appear on the leaves. Without the timely intervention of the gardener, gall midge is able to destroy up to 80% of the shoots.
   

   Gallica
2. Nutcracker. Small bugs are voracious and feed on plant juices. Reddish bursting bubbles appear on the surface of the leaf plate, as a result of which the leaves dry and crack.
3. Aphid. A dangerous pest that attacks almost all garden and horticultural crops. It feeds on plant juices, first damages young shoots and inflorescences, then spreads to foliage. Colonies of green or black aphids settle on the back of leaves and feel most comfortable in conditions of hanging humidity.

Causes of reddening of leaves in June

Redness of raspberry leaves develops not only due to improper leaving site, thickening of plantings, but also due to adverse weather conditions. Frequent and excessively abundant precipitation leads to the leaching of nutrients from the upper layers of the soil, as a result of which the root system does not receive the rate of potassium, phosphorus and nitrogen.

Stagnation of moisture in the root area is a dangerous condition that causes deterioration of aeration, partial or complete death of the plant. The downside of rainy weather is a long dry period that disrupts the supply of nutrients to the root system.

What to do if raspberry leaves turn red

Depending on the cause of the reddening of the leaves, gardeners choose a method to solve the problem. The bushes are fed with nutrients, they destroy pests with the help of insecticides, fungicides help to cope with fungal spores.

Preparations, depending on the cause of the redness

If the reddening of the leaves is associated with a phosphorus deficiency, the raspberries are fed with phosphorus-containing fertilizers:

• double superphosphate (60 g per 1 sq. m);
• bone and phosphate rock (50-70 g per 1 sq. m);
• Bona Forte (2 tbsp. L. 10 l / 1 sq. M during the season);
• Agricola (25 g per 10 liters, consumption - 1.5-2 liters per bush when spraying every 14 days);
• "Zdraven" (15 g per 10 l / 1 sq. M before flowering);
• "Gumi-Omi" (6 tablespoons per 10 liters, for one bush - 5 liters every 14 days).

For the destruction of insects used:

• Inta-Vir (twice a week, processing frequency - 2-3 times);
• Fitoverm (three times a month);
• "Aktara" (a single treatment is enough);
• "Karbofos" (75 g per 10 liters of warm water, treatment frequency - three times a week);
• "Karate" (4 ml per 10 liters of water, double treatment in a week).

A folk remedy based on tobacco shag (100 g per 1 liter of warm water) is highly effective. The mixture is infused for 24 hours, then boiled for 30 minutes, filtered through cheesecloth and 40-50 g of shavings of laundry soap are added. The bushes are sprayed 3-4 times every 10 days. Instead of makhorka, wood ash is often used (200 g per 10 liters). Processing frequency same.

For the treatment of fungal diseases use:

• Bordeaux liquid (3% solution before flowering, 1% - during flowering and after harvest);
• "Zircon" (1 ml per 10 liters of water once during the budding period);
• "Fitosporin-M" (2 tsp for 10 liters of water 35 ° C, treatment frequency - once every 10 days until the end of the season);
• "Acrobat MC" (20 g per 5 liters of water, treatment frequency - once every two weeks, the last one - 30 days before harvest).

Garlic infusion is highly effective against fungal infections. For cooking, you need 300 g of chopped cloves of garlic, 10 liters of warm water. The tool is insisted for 24 hours in a dark place, before use add 30-40 g of shavings of laundry soap for better adhesion to the leaves. Processing is carried out 3-5 times in 12-15 days.

Agrotechnical techniques

Correct agricultural technology helps to protect the raspberry from diseases and pests:

• planting bushes at a distance of 60 m and maintaining a row spacing of 1.5 m;
• spring trimming of the central conductor to a height of 1.5 m;
• introduction of mineral top dressing (in the fall - 2 buckets of peat with 100 g of urea for each bush, in the spring - 0.5 kg of manure with 5 g of urea);
• loosening the soil after watering, harvesting weeds;
• moderate watering in spring and summer, subject to a shortage of seasonal rains;
• spring preventive treatment with "Fitosporin" against bacteria and fungi.

How to prevent the problem

Raspberry bushes get sick much less often, if you protect the horse system from damage, regularly apply organic and mineral fertilizers 4-5 times a season.

Experienced gardeners recommend replanting raspberries every 5-7 years, periodically carrying out sanitary pruning, mulching the trunk circle with hay, straw, peat, dry leaves and regularly renewing the mulch layer.

Experienced gardening tips

Gardeners' recommendations will help keep the berry bushes healthy and prevent foliage from reddening:

1. Inspect the bushes once a week for early signs of fungal or insect infestation. In the early stages, dealing with the problem is much easier and cheaper.
2. Do not ignore agricultural practices - weeding, loosening, moderate watering and treatment with fungicides, if you want to save the raspberry plant, and collect a rich harvest every season.
3. When using chemicals, do not forget about safety rules - wear protective gloves, goggles and a respirator. Prepare the working solution strictly according to the instructions, without exceeding the dosage and frequency of processing.
4. Plant mustard, marigold, odorous dill, calendula next to raspberries to repel pests.
5. After harvesting, feed the bushes with urea, bone meal, wood ashto increase the defenses of the plant before wintering.

Conclusion

Red leaves on raspberries are the most common problem. Experts are sure that this is primarily due to the deficiency of mineral components in the soil, especially phosphorus. To replenish micronutrient reserves bushes feed double superphosphate, bone and phosphorite flour, complex fertilizers (Bona Forte, Agricola, Zdraven, Gumi-Omi).

The reasons for the redness of the leaves lie in the addition of fungal infections and the spread of insects. For the destruction of fungal spores, fungicides are used (Bordeaux liquid, "Fitosporin-M", "Acrobat", "Zircon"), insects - insecticides ("Inta-Vir", "Fitoverm", "Aktara", "Karbofos", "Karate" ).

Agrotechnical techniques are highly effective: moderate watering, loosening, weeding, pruning, transplanting every 5-7 years, top dressing, preventive treatment with fungicides.