What Is Wrong With My Yeddo Hawthorn?

Are there any reddish-brown streaks on the outer and inner bark, as well as gum or dark sap oozing from the diseased area?

Did the flowers and leaves suddenly blackened, and the tips of growing shoots bend over?

Are the older leaves turning yellow and wilting, an overall decline in plant vigor is apparent?

Do the leaves have spots or blotches?

Are there wet, sappy areas on the bark of the main trunk, which may crack?

Are the leaves curled and distorted, sticky to the touch?

Are the leaves covered with small bumps?

These symptoms indicate fungal disease Phytophthora Root and Crown Rot. Phytophthora pathogens are favored by wet conditions, and the risk of disease can be reduced with good water management. The disease tends to affect plants in poorly drained areas, where susceptible plants are surrounded by standing water or saturated soil for prolonged periods of time. Provide adequate drainage and know the water needs of individual plants.

These symptoms indicate a bacterial disease - Fire blight. Control fire blight during the growing season by pruning off branches a foot below infected sections. Between each cut, dip pruning shears into isopropyl alcohol or a 10 percent bleach solution to prevent spreading the disease as you prune.

These symptoms indicate fungal disease Verticillium wilt. Verticillium infects a wide range of plant species. Destroy all infected plants, as there is no cure. Prevent problems by presoaking seed in a 10 percent bleach solution.

Your plant is suffering from a fungal leaf spot. These can come from several fungus diseases, causing spots to occur on foliage. Spots may enlarge rapidly, especially in wet weather. Destroy infected leaves or plants. Spray plants with sulfur to prevent the disease from spreading, especially if the weather is wet. Spray between rains. Prevent problems by thinning plants to provide good air circulation.

Larvae of flathead borers tunnel beneath the bark, causing wet, sappy on the bark of the main trunk. Boring may kill limbs or entire trees. Prevention is the most effective management approach for flathead borers, which typically attack trees that have been previously injured or damaged. Providing proper care and protecting landscape plants from injury will make them less attractive to the borers. Avoid pruning spring-summer while adults are active. Properly dispose of infested wood material, as beetles may emerge from logs and attack nearby plants.

Distorted and sticky leaves and stems 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 only with severe infestations.

Leaves covered by small bumps are caused by scales. These tiny, shelled insects often feed on the undersides of the leaves, causing an unhealthy appearance with yellowish blotches on the upper leaf surfaces. Scrape off minor infestations with your fingernail. Prune out badly infested growth, or use a soft brush and soapy water to gently scrub the scales off the stems. Control scales by spraying insecticidal oil during the growing season.

Yellow, stunted plants and roots that have swollen galls indicate root-knot nematodes. Other symptoms are plants wilting during bright, hot days. Prevent root-knot nematodes by applying chitin or introducing parasitic nematodes to the soil before planting. Solarizing the soil also helps in preventing root-knot nematodes.