What Is Wrong With The Leaves Of My Panicum?

Are there any small, yellow-brown spots with a yellow or green halo which first appear on the oldest leaves?

Do the leaves have any small circular or irregularly shaped dry spots that are gray to straw in color?

Are the leaves pale on their upper side and are there any dusty blisters on the undersides?

Are the leaves yellowing, wilting and, dying?

Are there any small, angular, gray-brown spots with defined darker red-brown margins on leaves?

Are the leaves curled and distorted?

Do the leaves and flowers have holes?

Are the leaves distorted, yellowed, and stippled?

Are the buds, flowers, and seed pods malformed and prematurely fallen off?

Alternaria leaf blight is caused by a fungus that spreads primarily by planting an infected seed. Plant only pathogen-free seed from a reputable nursery. Apply copper-based foliar fungicide if the disease emerges. Rotate crops to non-umbelliferous varieties for 2-4 years.

These symptoms indicate a fungal disease - Anthracnose. Keep plants dry when watering to prevent spread. Spray plants with copper when the first fruit develops if you have had problems in the past.

Likely cause for these symptoms is a fungal disease - Rust. Provide good air circulation around plants by thining them. Avoid making leaves wet when watering. All infected leaves should be removed. Spray leaves with sulfur early in the season to prevent rust or to treat mild infections.

Yellow leaves that wilt and die usually indicate Root rot. Several pathogens cause root rots of seedlings as well as mature plants. Poorly drained, overly wet soil promotes rot so choose well-drained sites and add organic matter to improve drainage. Remove and destroy infected plants. Solarize the soil before replanting.

These symptoms indicate fungal disease - Septoria leaf spot. Remove and destroy infected plant debris. Don't handle or brush against plants when they are wet. Rotate plantings. Remove weeds growing nearby.

Distorted and curled leaves are caused by aphids. These tiny insects cluster under leaves and on growing tips where they feed on plant sap. Leaves, stems, and buds get distorted and later leaves and flowers drop from the plant. You can control them by washing them off the plant with water spray. Insecticidal soap should be used with severe infestations.

Holes in leaves and flowers are caused by Japanese beetles, pests that can seriously damage foliage. Adults of these insects devour leaves, stalks, and flowers of nearly 300 plant species. Their larvae feed on the roots of the plants. Handpick adult beetles into a can of soapy water but make sure to wear gloves as Japanese beetles are blister beetles. Apply parasitic nematodes to the soil to limit beetle grub populations. Use pyrethrin powder or neem oil as a last resort.

Leaves stippled with yellow are caused by mites. These tiny, spider-like pests feed by sucking sap from the underside of the plants leaves causing yellow flecking on the upper leaf surfaces. You can control spider mites by spraying plants thoroughly with water 2-3 times a day for several days. For severe infestations, spray plants with insecticidal soap.

These symptoms usually indicate Stink bugs. Adults are flat, shield-shaped, green, blue, or red insects that emit a sharp odor when crushed. Handpick these pests to control mild infestations. Spray plants with pyrethrin if the injury is serious.

Thrips are tiny needle-thin insects that are black or straw-colored. They suck the juices of plants and attack flower petals, leaves, and stems. The plant will have a stippling, discolored flecking or silvering of the leaf surface. Thrips can spread many diseases from plant to plant. Control thrips by introducing lady beetles or lacewings, their natural predators. Insecticidal soap helps in severe infestations.