For branches more than 2 inches thick, always cut back to the crotch or trunk. CREPE MYRTLE. This is a harmless fungus that feeds on bacteria and other organisms that are found in mulch. I assumed it was a fungus and sprayed with Neem oil (which I think of more for insects than fungus, but it said it was a fungicide). Crepe myrtles come in all different colors and heights, so find the one that's right for you. Infested trees may wilt and die. 4 Common Problems. About a month ago I noticed my tree had what looked like black soot and salt over all the leaves. Less than ¼ inch long and cylindrical in shape, it is dark brown, reddish brown, or black and may have pitted wing covers. Control: On small plants, wipe or wash off the molds with a small sponge and water. The undigested sugars pass through the insects and are deposited on the leaf or stem where the insects are feeding. STICKY SITUATION: Some sap-sucking insects do not fully digest plant sap. If your crepe myrtle was planted in a shady area as opposed to a sunny area, it can be especially susceptible to contracting this disease. Choose from red, white, purple, or pink. Initially, the infection begins as sporadic, circular, and powdery white spots. Almost all selections with names of Native American tribes, such as ‘Hopi,' ‘Miami,' and ‘Zuni,' are mildew resistant. Last weekend (after a long dry spell), I noticed this whitish stuff on a couple of the shoots, near the ground. Sooty molds are also called black molds. And powdery mildew says, "Yum!" Spray your crepe myrtle according to label directions with insecticidal soap, horticultural oil, neem oil, or Natria Multi-Insect Control. Control: Once beetles are in the tree, no chemical will help. Prevention: Keep trees vigorous with adequate watering and fertilization. Infected parts of the plant are usually distorted and stunted. Ants also transfer honeydew-excreting insects from plant to plant. Variable in size (some forms are dwarf shrubs, others large shrubs or small trees) and habit (spreading or upright). If your crepe myrtle is affected by white scale, it may develop black sooty mold (In fact, the sooty, black substance may be the first sign of white scale on crepe myrtles.). Published January 28, 2010 By CHRIS BREWER. When it gets to this point it will look like someone sifted baby powder on this plant, hence the name of this disease. Want to see more Southern Living videos? My mom has a crepe myrtle that was purchased (young) and planted probably 5 years. L. fauriei. Females remain with their young until they mature and exit the tree. Except on dwarf types, remove side branches on trunks up to the 4- to 5-foot level. What do we do? Major activity occurs in March. 1. Control: Reduce nitrogen fertilizer. Long, cool autumns yield the best leaf display; sudden frosts following warm, humid fall weather often freeze leaves while they're still green, ruining the show. It contains patches of powdery white or gray growths that tend to cover the leaves and sometimes the branches as well. The tree is covered with this fungus. Remove and burn the infested tree. Sooty mold is a fungus that covers the leaves and looks like you just sprayed your crepe myrtle with asphalt. It likes full sun. It's much easier to detect the beetle's presence than the insect itself. Is there plenty of sunlight? 2), infected shoots may dry up and shrivel, severely affected buds will drop off (Fig. Get rid of the bugs and black mold will go with them. emYuck! If yours isn't resistant, spray the foliage according to label directions in early summer with neem oil, horticultural oil, Natria Disease Control, Daconil, or Immunox. It entered this country in 1974 near Charleston, South Carolina. If you prefer to use a nonchemical fungicide, choose one that contains neem oil, sulfur or potassium bicarbonate. The leaves on a Crepe Myrtle turning black. Small white flowers are borne in 2- to 4-inch long clusters in early summer; often blooms again in late summer. Spray trunks with chlorpyrifos (Dursban) or endosulfan (Thiodan) late in the day, so the chemical can dry overnight and avoid breakdown due to sunlight and heat. Rubbing removes the mold. Symptoms: Sooty mold usually appears as a dark, brown-black powdery fungus growth covering leaf surfaces and twigs. A black spotlike mold covers the leaves. "But wait!" Leaf spot disease is most prominent in the mid-to late summer season, but will turn brown and fall off as the fall season approaches. During the growing season, clip off spent flowers to promote a second, lighter bloom. These bugs will eat the tree. Spray plants with malathion, horticultural oil, azadirachtin (Neem), or acephate (Orthene) to control insects that secrete honeydew. Like all trees, Crape Myrtles can develop fungus or mildew on their leaves. My father also LOVES mulch, so there is mulch around the crepe myrtle. To reveal attractive trunks, also remove branches growing inward toward center of plant. - Dolores L. This is not a fungus. However, the Crape Myrtle does boast a higher resistance to pests and diseases than other flowering tree varieties, and when they are affected, the issues are easy to mediate quickly. Infected blossoms may not set fruit; fruit may develop a rough skin or be covered with the powdery fungus. Crepe myrtles are not usually browsed by deer. Cercospora is a leaf spot fungus that used to be fairly uncommon, but isn't anymore. New growth may be stunted, curled, and distorted. Learn how to season this Southern kitchen staple in five easy steps. Dark green leaves are 1-2 ½ inches long and somewhat narrower, usually tinted red when new; they often turn brilliant orange or red in fall. ‘Tis the season to ditch your all-white palette in favor of something a little bolder and brighter. We are always here to help, Monday-Friday, with any plant or insect questions you may have, and getting an accurate diagnosis can help you save money and time (avoiding application of unnecessary products).ckc. The fungus spends the winter in buds and develops quickly on shoots from infected buds. Japanese beetles are another of the crepe myrtle pests that should be mentioned. Give it time. Crepe Myrtles are a staple in the southern garden for their colorful long blooming flowers in the heat of summer and their basically easy/no care. Queen's crepe myrtle, L. speciosa, grows only in the Tropical South. Light green leaves to 4 inches long and 2 inches wide turn yellow in fall. I would like to know if I need to cut the faded flowers or green seed pods off of my crape myrtle once the flowers have dried up. This excretion is called … As many as 50 beetles may infest a single tree. The white stuff essentially "rinsed off". How can it get mildew?" Pruning. As suggested I sprayed all the leaves (it's only 5'tall) with dish soap and cooking oil. The more sun, the more flowers you'll get. I had it last year, but it's worse this time. There's plenty to love about them: They grow almost anywhere, are easy to maintain, and are available in all shapes, sizes, and shades. Insufficient sunlight and poor air circulation favor its development. For prevention, thoroughly spray trunks of susceptible plants nearby with diazinon, endosulfan (Thiodan), or chlorpyrifos (Dursban). These can be left alone or scooped into a garbage bag and put out for trash pick-up. That's exactly what you get when you commit crepe murder. Instead, it grows on sticky honeydew secreted by sucking insects like aphids, scales, and white flies that do feed on the leaves. Grumpy has a theory that the nearly universal planting of crepe myrtles in the South has made it easy for this fungus to spread. Solution: Look for aphids, scales or leafhoppers higher in the plant. Powdery mildew most often occurs in damp, shady locations, where the crepe myrtle doesn’t receive adequate air circulation. Too much moisture right as the base of the trunk can lead to crown rot diseases.https://extension.umd.edu/hgic/faqs-mulchhttps://extension.umd.edu/hgic/excessive-mulch-trees-and-shrubsAlso, we do not recommend spraying any fungicides until a problem is accurately diagnosed. Improving air circulation within your crepe myrtle and applying chemical controls can eliminate mildew problems and restore the plant's beauty. What to do? But I wanted to submit the photo to try to determine what it is, and what I should be doing about it. Fungal growth takes place from spring through early fall. (Note to reader: This is seldom a good idea.) This particular powdery mildew infects only crape myrtle. Comment added March 26, 2020 Reply. "I bought a crepe myrtle that was mildew-resistant. L. indica. How big will it grow? 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