Growing carrots - the process is simple, but requires knowledge of some nuances: timely planting, high-quality thinning, moderate watering, knowledge of why it is necessary to feed the plant - only by combining these factors the gardener will receive a bountiful and high-quality harvest. However, if the leaves of a carrot begin to curl, the future harvest is at risk - not everyone knows why carrots curl. Let's figure it out.
Causes of curling carrot leaves
In normal condition, carrot tops are bright green. The rosette has axillary buds; carrot leaves grow on a long petiole.
If a carrot leaf curls, the gardener begins to worry and look for the cause in the development of all kinds of diseases. This is wrong: curliness is the result of exposure to pests.
The presence of the following insects can negatively affect the appearance of leaves, the appearance of curling and the development of root crops:
- Carrot aphid. Another name that this pest goes by is psyllid. This is a very small insect that winters near garden areas. With the onset of warmth, the psyllid flies to the carrot beds in order to begin reproduction. Having been soaked in pine needles throughout the winter, the insect needs useful substances. Having laid eggs on the inner surface of carrot leaves, the insect begins to suck all the juices from the root crop. When affected by this carrot leaf color pest remains the same. It is very difficult to notice the parasite in a timely manner.
- Carrot aphid. After the appearance of unwanted “neighbors,” the carrot leaves curl, and in the meantime the aphids feed on the juices of the root crop. The insect is especially active during hot, dry periods. If the summer is hot, the gardener should show maximum attention and carefully inspect the leaves of the vegetable for the presence of pests. The appearance of aphids on a plant can be facilitated by ants, which spread them throughout the garden. The carrots grow small, tough and tasteless, and the leaves continue to curl.
- Carrot fly. On early shoots, this insect lays its eggs. The most dangerous time is the phase of two true leaves. The larvae penetrate into the root crop and destroy it. The second generation of carrot fly, born in August–September, can cause damage to carrots. The leaves become curled and the root crop suffers.
The period of greatest activity of psyllids and other insects lasts from the second half of June to the end of July. At this time, you need to carefully monitor the seedlings, and if danger appears, immediately take measures to combat the pest.
In addition, there are other reasons why leaves become curly - this is a lack of microelements in the soil. The problem can be solved quite simply: the plant can easily obtain the missing potassium and magnesium in the form of fertilizer, which you can prepare yourself.
In some cases, gardeners panic completely in vain. Carrots can be curly due to the variety: worries about “curls” on the leaves are unnecessary, but it is still necessary to eliminate the possibility of pests. Curly carrots are prone to pests.
Pest elimination method
When the question arises about what to do and why carrots curl, many are at a loss. Summer residents are very afraid of the appearance of pests on carrots, since the crop can be considered lost. However, if the infection began recently, the vegetable is still worth fighting for.
To prevent carrots from curling, you can use one of the following methods:
- Use of chemicals.
- Treatment with folk remedies.
- Use of agricultural techniques.
Among insecticidal agents, you can choose many different options. We spray the plantings with special substances. Thus, the drug “Zeta” copes well with psyllids. To prepare the working composition, you need to dilute 1 tablet of the product in 10 liters of water. Plants can be treated once or twice a season.
A universal remedy that helps control aphids or any other pests is Aktara.Having destroyed insects using this drug, you don’t have to worry: if it was a carrot aphid, then the parasite produces only one generation over the summer. If we are talking about a carrot fly, then in the second half of summer you should watch the carrots: when the first signs of the reappearance of the pest appear, treat the curled leaves again.
It is important that you can spray carrots with these preparations once or twice. They can be used no more than twice in one season. It will be unnecessary to use insecticides if there are less than 30 days left before harvesting.
If the carrots have grown and can already be eaten, but the leaves are curled, then treatment with insecticides is contraindicated. In this case, folk remedies should be used. Infusions of celandine, garlic, horse sorrel, and yarrow are poorly tolerated by pests. Some summer residents even use laundry soap for this purpose, diluting 300 grams of shavings in a bucket of water. Spray the garden bed with this product several times.
Wood ash can be used to control aphids. Its combination with tobacco dust is an even better option. Dusting with this composition will help the gardener get rid of the pest and save the garden bed. The treated sheet will stop curling.
Some agrotechnical methods will also help to cope with the problems of insect exposure. So, you cannot plant carrots in a place that was once infested with a pest that affects it. Pine trees next to the garden pose a direct danger to carrots: it is on them that harmful insects overwinter. You should not plant spruce on your own plot or next to it, so that the carrots do not twist.
It’s good for carrots if the place for organizing the bed is chosen next to garlic or onions. The pungent smell of these plants will repel the carrot fly and save the future harvest: the leaf curls less and the plant does not suffer.
Consequences of leaf curl in carrots
The appearance of pests on carrot leaves will not pass without leaving a trace. If the gardener is inactive, then most of the crop may die. In addition to fruits, labor will also perish, and this is the saddest thing. When the first signs of crop growth disturbance appear, the battle for the harvest should begin, especially if the leaves have already curled.
If you miss the appearance of pests and do not water the carrots with protective agents, the root vegetables will become tough. Their taste will change, the carrots will lose their sweetness and will become more like fodder. Leaves may change color to yellow or reddish. If there is no action, most of the crop will have to be burned.
