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View Full Version : Black spots, help!!!


enigma99a
11-29-2008, 11:16 PM
I've noticed that my varieties are getting very small black spots, which make the leaves look speckled. I am guessing it's some kind of fungus because of the cool & damp foggy nights we've been having.

Highs have been about mid 60s and lows in 40s. Record low so far this season is 39.

Ideas? What should I do..

bepah
11-29-2008, 11:33 PM
If you're watering, stop.

I am watching the older leaves on my plants slowly brownup....I would guess its just the cooler weather.

Mulch the ground. I top dress with compost in December.

Good luck.

dablo93
11-30-2008, 06:07 AM
its normal, dont worry, i have the same, but the plants won't die of it, the temperatuers are just too low. when the temperatures get higher the plant will produce good spot-less leaves but the spots on the old leavs won't dissapear.
a small itinerans outside has so much black spots that there is no green leaves left almos;) they dont die of it.

bigdog
11-30-2008, 01:36 PM
It is a leaf spot fungus, probably Cercospora. You can spray with a fungicide. I use a copper fungicide spray to treat it if the fungus has really spread a lot. Removing old infested leaves and then treating the plant with fungicide should get rid of it. The fungus will lie around in organic matter, so make sure you clean all organic matter around it and dispose of it. However, if it's not too unsightly, don't fret it. It won't kill your plants.

Frank

Chironex
11-30-2008, 07:11 PM
Is bordeaux mix of any use for banana fungi and mildew, molds, etc? I used it successfully on grape vines, but wonder about its toxicity to the banana plants specifically.

enigma99a
12-01-2008, 04:24 AM
It is a leaf spot fungus, probably Cercospora. You can spray with a fungicide. I use a copper fungicide spray to treat it if the fungus has really spread a lot. Removing old infested leaves and then treating the plant with fungicide should get rid of it. The fungus will lie around in organic matter, so make sure you clean all organic matter around it and dispose of it. However, if it's not too unsightly, don't fret it. It won't kill your plants.

Frank


Thanks so much! At least it won't kill the plant. I will probably just leave it alone unless borax works

Chironex
12-01-2008, 12:32 PM
Thanks so much! At least it won't kill the plant. I will probably just leave it alone unless borax works

Not sure about this, but just to be on the safe side, I want to point out that my post said Bordeaux (like the region in France) mix, not borax - the "20 Mule team" stuff. Perhaps it is not what you were referring to, but again, I just wanted to be sure that my post wasn't inadvertently misinterpreted.

Carry on.

microfarmer
12-01-2008, 02:59 PM
Thanks so much! At least it won't kill the plant. I will probably just leave it alone unless borax works

Use Borax for the ants... Bordeaux would be for the fungus (that is if it's effective). When it gets this time of year, I basically write off any leaves left, as the winter will trash them from here on out, til spring. I have the same thing happen to my plants each year. I use this as my cue to protect them. I've got my ground covered with black plastic, and will have covers for the more tender ones this weekend. Mine are still growing slowly, but showing signs of stress and cold, too.

You didn't state if you are growing tender plants or cold tolerant varieties. If you're growing tender varieties, you'll need some sort of good protection for the winter. If you have CA Gold, Dwarf Orinoco, Manzano, or Ice Cream, they should be ok (along with others from the Cold Hardy List). Last year, the only 3 that were stem hardy in my Carmichael backyard were Ice Cream, Dw. Orinoco, and CA Gold.

Good luck!

enigma99a
12-01-2008, 06:51 PM
Not sure about this, but just to be on the safe side, I want to point out that my post said Bordeaux (like the region in France) mix, not borax - the "20 Mule team" stuff. Perhaps it is not what you were referring to, but again, I just wanted to be sure that my post wasn't inadvertently misinterpreted.

Carry on.

Ah, thanks.. my bad :) I'm just going to let nature take its course then. At least it won't kill the leaves

enigma99a
12-02-2008, 05:14 AM
Here is a photo of the spots :(
http://img296.imageshack.us/img296/460/img0349xs4.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Other Images taken on December 1st

http://img361.imageshack.us/img361/9876/img0364smalluv1.jpg (http://imageshack.us)


http://img389.imageshack.us/img389/5172/img0371smallvr2.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

sandy0225
12-02-2008, 07:25 AM
That is so normal! it happens every year here right when it's about time to take in the dc's and tender bananas for the fall. They are just telling you they're not too happy with you leaving them outside in the cold! (Kind of like the cat jumping on the door!)LOL!!!