I have this common quince bonsai tree that grows well in this part of the country, very hardy and stands a way lower temp than we have here. It was stored inside this last winter where temps stayed around freezing. Of course, when the weather starts to warm up things get to growing in the shed. I did spray for fungus in the shed as I have maples and other deciduous in there. I thought I was doing a good job, but maybe not. Beginning early spring the quince showed signs of a fungus (I assumed) problem. I have sprayed it regularly, and it has gotten much better but I still have a number of leaves like these with the brown tips. I have been removing them, but there always seems to be more on the way. The tree seems healthy and there is new growth all over. Any ideas or suggestions?
FUNGUS OR ??
- Thread starter August44
- Start date
leatherback
The Treedeemer
Leaves drying in from the edges can also be a sign of underwatering or over fertilizing.
I wanted to update this thread. I have removed affected leaves on the quince and kept up fungal spray with Mancozeb. More of my deciduous are getting it now. My Dwarf Contorted Cherry little trees have it, my Cotoneaster has it, and several other have the same problem...edges around the tip start to turn black and eventually the who leaf turns black. I slip potted several to check for over watering and they were fine. Everything is under 50% shade cloth. I finally called Bonide and talked to a tech there. He asked around a came back and said it sounded like a disease called Phytophthora and recommended to use their product call "Infuse" which is a systemic disease control liquid. The description of the disease I read on Google said it was a root disease that could cause major problems. I have not heard of that disease nor have I used Infuse either. I have some infuse coming from Amazon ASAP. Anyone with experience with either? Help appreciated
leatherback
The Treedeemer
Instead of asking a tech guy at a commercial company, I would consider looking at your care regime, particularly if you have multiple trees with this issue.
Certaily phytophtora is not something you just get in your pots if you have proper care, let alone something that just jumps from one tree to another.
And not something you can just diagnose over the phone.
Certaily phytophtora is not something you just get in your pots if you have proper care, let alone something that just jumps from one tree to another.
And not something you can just diagnose over the phone.
Wires_Guy_wires
Imperial Masterpiece
I've said it before, dear August, I think you assign too many things to fungi and bacteria.
It's near to impossible that you're one person dealing with quite literally every issue nature can throw at plants. Statistically that is just super unlikely.
The easiest answer is usually the most likely: underwatering, too much salts in the soil, sunburn from fast movement from shade to sun, mechanical damage like rubbing to other parts when exposed to wind.. The list of alternatives is quite long, before we should start thinking of infections. Let alone problematic infections.
Plants with phytophtera are usually difficult to save and look the part. It's one of the worst diseases plants can get, so of course anyone selling you a product will tell you that's what it is, and they'll try and sell you the cure.
The wikipedia page is quite clear on the disease: there is no definite cure for it.
Please have a look at potential other causes before applying any -icides. Maybe there's just a heap of sodium in your water and all of those suspected fungal blotches are just sodium damage. It would explain a lot of the damage you've reported in the past years. Just an example, of course. But wouldn't it be nice to solve it all at once?
It's near to impossible that you're one person dealing with quite literally every issue nature can throw at plants. Statistically that is just super unlikely.
The easiest answer is usually the most likely: underwatering, too much salts in the soil, sunburn from fast movement from shade to sun, mechanical damage like rubbing to other parts when exposed to wind.. The list of alternatives is quite long, before we should start thinking of infections. Let alone problematic infections.
Plants with phytophtera are usually difficult to save and look the part. It's one of the worst diseases plants can get, so of course anyone selling you a product will tell you that's what it is, and they'll try and sell you the cure.
The wikipedia page is quite clear on the disease: there is no definite cure for it.
Please have a look at potential other causes before applying any -icides. Maybe there's just a heap of sodium in your water and all of those suspected fungal blotches are just sodium damage. It would explain a lot of the damage you've reported in the past years. Just an example, of course. But wouldn't it be nice to solve it all at once?
I am not a plant scientist or anything close. I am trying to find out what the problem is, whether I am at fault or not, and get it solved. I appreciate your input, but I was asking for help and knowledge, not a lecture about how incorrectly I might be in taking care of my trees and how wrong I am to even think of asking someone who makes disease control sprays what the problem might be. I have explained what I am doing, and that the problem was getting better on the original plant, but other trees were becoming infected. All trees seem healthy and are pushing new growth. If I was having "care" problems, I don't think they would be pushing new growth. I am also aware from reading that phytophthora is a very dangerous and deadly disease. Why you say I can't have that in my pots if I had proper care is beyond me. The better input would be to tell me what proper care you are talking about to avoid the problem in the first place. Remember that the problem only exists on deciduous trees, and only certain ones. My conifers are not affected at all. . I'm not mad at you leather but think you could come up with something better than you did. To me you're just throwing crap at the wall trying to make me look stupid and you smart. Other than making me wonder about your knowledge of plant problems, you did nothing to help me. Same goes for you Wires except your drama and exaggeration are a bit off the charts.
leatherback
The Treedeemer
In my first post I already told you what else it could be. Considering you do not provide us with any information it is a bit hard to be more concrete.
If my input is just throwing crap at the wall trying to make me look stupid and you smart to you then I salute you and wish you a good day.
If my input is just throwing crap at the wall trying to make me look stupid and you smart to you then I salute you and wish you a good day.
ponderingsage
Yamadori
August,
I had the same thing happen after poor watering one day. It seems to be on the mend.
I had the same thing happen after poor watering one day. It seems to be on the mend.
Reread what I said above leather. You have some things backwards. I would not call you stupid.
Paul thanks for the reply. When you say poor watering, what do you mean by that? To much or to little? One would not think that this time of year with a healthy growing plant that you could water it to much with good draining soil. Maybe shows my ignorance.
Betula1
Yamadori
For what its worth I agree with the advice offered by Wireguys and Leatherback.
Most likely your problems are as a result of physiological issues rather than a plant disease, ie dessication and or chemical scorching.
Furthermore,the browning symptoms on your leaf tips do not resemble the pattern of typical symptoms of Phytophthora spp such as Phytophthora ramorum ( one of the most damaging disease species)
There are over 200 species of Phytophthora . Some affect roots and stems and some only affect leaves and stems, and many of them are limited in their host range so are unlikely to jump between your pots to infect different plant genera unless your water source is heavily contaminated with disease inoculum. Infuse is not known to reliably control Phytophthora.
If youre still not convinced why not ask your local USDA for some unbiased advice. https://www.aphis.usda.gov/contact/plant-health
Wires_Guy_wires
Imperial Masterpiece
I see, I'll stay out of your way from now on.
Hello Betula and thanks for your input. When you say "desiccation" and "chemical scorching", are you refering to lack of water and scorching from fertilizer?
Empty Mountain
Yamadori
I'm wondering why you decided to overwinter the quince inside when it is very cold hardy?
Along with the Mancozeb what other treatments/sprays have you been using on the trees?
Along with the Mancozeb what other treatments/sprays have you been using on the trees?
ponderingsage
Yamadori
It was under-watering a quince that is still in a big nursery can with a
Peat/bark heavy mix… I think l was not letting the water get all the way onto the core/bottom.
Good luck with it its gonna be a scorcher this week.
Betula1
Yamadori
Yes
Well I check water every day with fingers and water only if not damp 1-2" down. I am using Osmocote Plus, 15/9/12 sprinkled lightly 2 months ago. I don't get it but will keep on looking for a solution. Some deciduous like maples are not affected, and that has surprised me. I buy starter plants on line in the spring once in awhile, but will stop doing that I think. There seems to always be a new bug around that I normally don't have in the spring.. I will contact USDA and see what they say. Thanks again!
BonsaiManic
Shohin
Interesting thread...
Good question. Just trying to be protective. Won't happen again. Actually, that's where is problem started. Learn more every day.
I have also used Copper Sulfate for a change in Fungus meds and bug sprays when needed.
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You might not understand or agree with this, but it's all about attitude when I'm on the listening end. I like nice, well- meaning people, someone who is really trying to help and has something to say that is not degrading or exaggerated. I'm pretty sensitive and at 80, that probably won't change.
BonsaiManic
Shohin
Fair enough. It seemed straightforward and directly to the point to me, but everyone has their own perception. Tone and intent is difficult to tell in written format on an online forum.
It's possible that it was my own perception that was off. I do have a tendency to give people the benefit of the doubt more often than they probably deserve.
Good luck with your quince. Let us know if/how you identify/resolve the issue.
It's possible that it was my own perception that was off. I do have a tendency to give people the benefit of the doubt more often than they probably deserve.
Good luck with your quince. Let us know if/how you identify/resolve the issue.
