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All the leaves are brown.....

18 years ago

Well, almost all...the ones that are, say, the bottom third of the plant closest to the ground. They are not only brown, but also brittle. Some of the better looking leaves are still green, but have brown areas on them that are as dry as a piece of paper!!

At first I thought it was a reaction to a heat wave we had (it got into the 90's), but they still look funky. I removed many of the browned leaves, hoping to improve them. In particular, my "Garden Wonder" is terribly afflicted -- it only bloomed twice and now the buds get all black and never open up!!

Aaaarrrrgggghhhh. What is it?

Please any suggestions are welcome. (I have had spider mites in the past, but this somehow looks like a different type of damage)

Judy

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Comments (6)

richg62inNY
18 years ago
Hi JUJU,
It sure doesn't sound like heat damage to me either (lest the top third be burned) The black unopened buds are telling me Fungi of some sort (although most fungus remains are wet and rotten) but, I'm not 100% sure on that I'm going to have to delve into my gardening library and see what I can find. If I come up with anything I will be sure to post or e-mail. best of Luck richginNY
juju222
Original Author
18 years ago
Thanks for delving, Richg! I hope you can find something. Meanwhile, I may examine a specimen leaf closeup with a magnifying glass, just to rule out mites for sure!

Juju
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Poochella
18 years ago
I delved into Google, but didn't turn up anything relevant. If you find anything let us know, because I have one plant where a couple leaves are paper thin and browned as well. Have not seen anything like typical viral symptoms on the leaves and it's not even close to budding, so can't tell you if I have browned buds or not.

I know I had peonies infected with botrytis that acted this way, on the buds at least.
juju222
Original Author
18 years ago
It's mites alright! Dang!

I got some close-up photos and emailed them to a mite-ologist (hehe) and he confirmed. Told me to spray in late evening with insecticidal soap...

Oh, man, I found out just in time - they look like they are going to croak!
Poochella
18 years ago
MITES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I didn't want it to be mites. I pulled my browning/papery leaves off and will give that plant a spritz tonight, just in case I have the same problem. Can't hurt anything. The leaf problem darn well better not move to any other plants.

Thanks for the info.
juju222
Original Author
18 years ago
Uh oh, Poochella...spray spray spray! Those dang mites are also on my brugmansias and even a few of my plumeria!!!! aarrrggghhh. Hate those puppies!

Hope you get to yours soon enough!

Judy

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