What Is Wrong With My Morning Glory Flowers?

Are there any irregularly shaped dull yellow areas along leaf margins which expand to leaf midrib and create a characteristic "V-shaped" lesion?

Are the seedlings dying and the stems are girdled or rotted at soil line?

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

Are the leaves bleached between the veins and faded, often turning silver or gray?

Are the leaves bleached between the veins and faded, often turn white with brown crispy edges?

Are the leaves curled and yellow?

Are the leaves skeletonized, metallic green-bronze beetles present?

Do the leaves have wandering, white or translucent tunnels in them?

Are the leaves discolored, fine webbing may be present?

These symptoms indicate a bacterial disease - Black rot. Prevent this disease by providing well-drained soil and by using a 2-year rotation. Plant resistant varieties. Control cruciferous weed species which may act as a reservoir for bacteria. Plant pathogen-free seed.

If your seedlings are falling over and the stems are girdled or rotted at the soil line, the most likely cause is a damping-off disease. Remove and destroy all infected plants. To prevent damping-off let the soil surface dry between waterings, thin seedlings to avoid overcrowding, and do not add nitrogen fertilizers until plants have developed leaves.

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.

These symptoms indicate high levels of ozone in the air. Spray plants with seaweed extract and fish emulsion to encourage new growth.

Morning glories are prone to sunscald. Usually happens when the plants have been recently moved. The bright light and heat from the sun break down the chlorophyll which leads to the death of the leaf. Some afternoon shade would be helpful, but keep the plants as healthy as possible.

Distorted, 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.

Skeletonized leaves are caused by Japanese beetles. 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.

These symptoms indicate leafminers. These tiny white, maggotlike larvae feed inside leaves. Prune off and destroy all infested leaves. Cover plants with row cover until flowers open to prevent adults from laying eggs on plants. Certain nematodes can attack leafminer larvae inside leaf tunnels.

Spider mites are known to cause problems for morning glories. Hose off plants when symptoms first appear. A strong stream knocks mites off plants and may give control. Introduce predatory mites. For severe infestations, spray plants with insecticidal soap or pyrethrin.

If the stems are with lesions, and the foliage is wilted the cause may be the stem canker. A fungal stem canker attack smoke bush on rare occasions. Stem lesions are first dark brown and later ash-gray. As these spots girdle the stem the part above wilts, collapses, breaks off, and dies. Remove and destroy infected plants or plant parts as soon as you notice them.