Controlling Peach Leaf Curl on Victoria Plum Trees

Identification

Curling, singed-looking leaves with a greyish damp powder on a three-year-old Victoria plum indicate peach leaf curl caused by Taphrina fungi. The disease also affects plums (plum pocket). While not usually lethal, severe repeated infections weaken the tree.

Critical Timing for Control

Fungicide application must occur as a dormant spray—after leaf fall in autumn or before bud swell in late winter. Effective products include ferbam, chlorothalonil (Daconil), Bordeaux mixture, or liquid lime sulfur. Once leaves expand, control is impossible for that season.

Supportive Care if Missed

If the dormant spray window passed, maintain vigor: thin fruit heavily to reduce stress, fertilize in spring, and water consistently. Avoid late-season fertilization to prevent winter injury.