| I recently purchased two Eugenia Topiaries. They have developed a white residue on the leaves (it almost looks like they were sprayed with milk),which rubs off very easily, but always comes back. Now the leaves are developing rusty looking spots and these spots spread out and eventually kill the entire leaf. Now whole branches are dying. Do you know what disease my topiaries have, and if I can save them? It's breaking my heart to watch them slowly die! Thanks so much! Karla |
| Karla, I am sorry for this delayed reply to your gardening question. We are transitioning to a new Q&A system and your question was unfortunately lost in the transition. I have discovered it now and hope this reply is not too late to be of help. Your description of the white stuff on the foliage sounds like powdery mildew although Eugenia is not on my list of powdery mildew susceptible plants. It may be that the white material is the reside left when irrigation water dries on the foliage. This is not a concern although drip irrigation is a better way to water. The rusty spots are most likely a fungal disease. You could try a spray of chlorothalonil (Daconil) as a best guess approach or better yet take a sample from the plant to your local County Extension Office to see if they can identify the problem more specifically and recommend an appropriate control product. Thanks for the question. Please stop in again soon! |
