What should be our strategy against monilia?

One of the biggest challenges in small-garden pest management is the control of moniliaceae, a disease that can completely kill the inflorescences of cherry, cherry, apricot and plum trees in a matter of days. The fungal spores germinate immediately in a moist environment and attack the tree's circulatory system directly through the flowers. It is at this stage that the success of the season is decided: a combination of good hygiene measures and preventive biological control is the only way to keep our trees in good condition. Here are the three pillars that you can use to prevent infestation.

1. Garden clean-up: eliminate the source of the infection!

The fungus does not come from nowhere; it overwinters in the diseased parts of the tree.

• Removal of mummies: the dried fruits (mummies) left on the tree are real spore factories. Harvest them and the rotten fruit lying under the tree in winter or early spring.
• Pruning of diseased canes: if you see canker sores or shriveled, dead ends on the branches, cut them back to the healthy part.
• Important: the diseased trimmings and mummies do not put it in the compost! Burn it (if local regulations allow) or bury it deep, otherwise the spores will reinfest in spring.

2. Airy crown: let in the sun and the wind!

Fungi love the humidity and the dense, dark foliage.

• Thinning pruning: create an „airy” crown shape. If air is allowed to pass freely through the foliage, leaves and flowers will dry out quickly after rain or dew.
• More effective protection: in a thinner crown, the spray is also much better distributed, reaching the interior.

3. Conscious control: chemical and biological solutions- Trichoderma fungus

Control of monilia should not be started when you see the trouble coming, but as a preventive measure.

The classic fungicides are in flower is worth using, especially when the weather is cool and humid:

• In white bud condition,
• In full bloom,
• At petal fall.

4. Tricho Immune deployment - the natural remedy

Biological products are now the mainstay of the modern small garden. A Tricho Immun a beneficial fungi (Trichoderma), which helps to keep pathogens out.

So use it for maximum effect:

1.    Wash spraying: Mix it into the treatment at the time of early spring wash spraying (before bud break). This clears the trunk and branches of overwintering fungal growth.

2.    Wound management: Treat larger wounds after pruning Tricho Immun-with brushwork. This acts as a living shield to block the monilia's path to the woody parts.

3. Pre-flowering reinforcement: Applied just before the start of flowering, at bud break, it increases the natural resistance of the plant, and by multiplying on the flowers and young twigs, it protects the tree during the most critical period.

Home dose: 50 g Tricho Immun in 10 litres of water.

Be garden conscious and you'll have a successful harvest!

Prevention is the key to successful cultivation: by keeping the garden clean and pruning professionally, you can drastically reduce the infection pressure, and with modern biological or targeted pest management, you can stop the pathogen. Don't wait for the flowers to turn brown - lay the foundations for a healthy harvest early in the season! With the right care, your trees will reward you with healthy foliage and premium quality produce.

Finally, very telling is the Tricho Immun experiment, which was set up in Cherry (Slovenia):

For more interesting information about our Tricho Immune product, please visit on our website!

Written by Prof Dr Erzsébet Karaffa - University of Debrecen