Hi there! I was browsing on the net and found a great website with a key to Apple, Cherry, Peach and Nectarine diseases: http://www.caf.wvu.edu/kearneysville/wvufarm6.html
By the discription that you gave of distorted leaves it seems that if you follow they key down you come to three possibilities:
9a. Leaves swollen and distorted along midrib early in the season, later turning red to purple, browning, and dropping from tree. Upper leaf surface becoming powdery-gray from fungal sporulation. Occasionally on fruit . PEACH LEAF CURL (Taphrina deformans)
9b. Leaves curled inward after several months. Water soaked spots turn red, necrotic and drop out giving leaves a tattered appearance. Localized areas or the entire canopy defoliates leaving foliage only at the tips. Choke cherry, the alternate host, may be seen near the orchard. Entire tree may show symptoms 2 to 3 years after the initial infection. X-DISEASE
9c. Leaves cupping upward, turning yellow, red, then dropping from localized areas of the canopy. PRUNUS STEM PITTING (Tomato Ring Spot Virus)
So of the above three which one does your nectarine match? Remember, you may need to wait longer into the season to see all of the symptoms as they may not all show at the same time.
Have a look at the website to see the key for yourself. If you click on the disease name in the key it will discribe it in detail and tell you how to manage it.
Good luck!
Posted: Friday 22nd of February 2008 11:31 AM Last reply: Friday 22nd of February 2008 11:31 AM
Does anyone know the reason my nectarine leaves are bubbly looking. The fruit is large for a 4 year old tree. But the leaves are irregular and appears to have bubbled areas. On the first leaves. The later leaves that appear over the growth in the summer are very regular and look normal. Could it be from the cold weather? Living in central california we have unusual weather in the Spring. In February the weather can be real warm, Enough to make the blossoms appear. (not bragging about our weather) Then around the first week in March it could get in the low 50's right before the leaves come out. Could it be the tree is only getting western sunlight? If you are having the same problem or know what is making the tree this way I would appreciate information. I do not spray my tree I only us Jobs spikes to fertilize it around this time of the year. Is it to early to fertilize? I am opening this up to any one who is able to help. Thanks
Posted: Thursday 21st of February 2008 07:38 PM Last reply: Saturday 1st of March 2025 05:57 AM