Mulberry diseases: What is it, pests and diseases, care

Each plant is a world. To understand and cultivate them, we must 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 knowing how to identify and treat the various mulberry diseases to reap its fruits.

In this article we will explain what mulberry trees are, what are the most frequent pests and diseases that affect them and how to care for them. If you are thinking of growing these vegetables, do not hesitate to continue reading.

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 is part of the genus Morus y It is cultivated mainly for its fruits, blackberries, but also to decorate gardens and orchards.

Our mulberry they grow quite quickly and can reach a height of up to 15 meters. As for the leaves of this plant, they are simple and alternate and have serrated edges. Its flowers are generally grouped in spikes and are unisexual. Regarding the fruits of the mulberry trees, these usually have a length that ranges between two and three centimeters.

As expected, there are different species of Morus. The most popular are the following:

black mulberry (black mulberry): Native to southwestern Asia. It is more delicate than the other species, but also the most cultivated. This is because its fruits are sweeter and more aromatic than those of other mulberries, and have more properties.
White mulberry (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 not usually consumed, as they are very tasteless. It is mainly cultivated for its leaves, since they feed silkworms.
Red elm (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 very popular 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 mealybugs. Both are very annoying and can cause serious damage if we do not 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 about how to eliminate the aphid with fairy y how to remove mealybugs from plants. But what really interests us now is knowing the most frequent mulberry diseases.

root rot

First of all we have root rot. It is a fungal disease that directly attacks the roots. As is often the case when it comes to fungi, it usually appears when humidity levels are very high. Therefore, An excess of irrigation can be the trigger for the appearance of this disease. Consequently, 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 blackberry 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 spots similar to burns on the bark. These spots are usually dark and appear on the hardest parts. Before its appearance, the leaves of the mulberry tree wither.

Cankers or Chancros in gardening

To combat canker and save our blackberry tree, it is best to Prune 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. We must also use a fungicide to protect the rest of the plant.

Mycosphaerella

When we talk about Mycosphaerellawe refer to a genus of fungi that attacks various plants, including the blackberry tree. It causes the appearance of a series of spots 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 affected areas and applying fungicides is the best solution. In all mulberry diseases, the sooner we detect them and start treatment, the better chance we have of recovering the mulberry tree.

Gum

Gummosis is also one of the most common mulberry diseases. This pathology is manifested by the expulsion of sap through the trunk. This sap is amber in color and looks a lot like gum. The affected area cracks, so the vegetable ends up losing part of the bark.

How to treat gummosis?

The treatment of gummosis consists of scraping the affected area until reaching healthy wood. There we must apply a mixture of lime and sulfur to protect the plant from further damage and help it heal.

How to take care of a blackberry 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 provide them with all the care they need. This will reduce the risk of mulberry diseases arising. Let us see how to take care of a blackberry tree:

Location: The blackberry tree 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 must have good drainage.
Temperature: Mulberry trees can resist up to -18ºC. However, they are not able to survive in very hot climates, without frost.
Irrigation: Although it is true that blackberry trees do not require a lot of water, it is important to water them and keep the soil moist. It is best to water them every 4-5 days, and in summer about 4 or 5 times a week.
Subscriber: When they most need some food, it is in summer and spring. We must fertilize the mulberry trees regularly in these two seasons of the year. It is best to combine various ecological fertilizers monthly.
Pruning: As for the pruning of the blackberry tree, this should be done at the end of winter. It is basically about removing all those branches that are weak, dry or sick.

How and when to prune Mulberry?

Knowing a little more about the care and diseases of the mulberry tree, why not plant it in our orchard or garden? If you like this type of berries, I recommend that you take a look at this article on how to grow berries in a garden.

Mulberry diseases: What is it, pests and diseases, care

What is a mulberry?