What is wrong with my snowberries?

Do the leaves have sunken spots?

Are the leaves blotched?

Are the leaves covered with white powder?

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

Are there any velvety, olive-green spots formed on all plant parts?

Are the leaves, stems, and buds distorted and sticky?

Are there any caterpillars feeding on your plant?

Most likely cause for these symptoms is 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.

Your plants might be suffering from fungal leaf spots. 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. Prevent problems by thinning plants to provide good air circulation.

White, powdery patches on the leaves are caused by a fungal disease Powdery mildew. Powdery mildew usually appears in damp places. Encourage good air circulation around the affected plants by thining them and any surrounding plants. Water plants from below to keep foliage dry. Any affected leaves should be cut off and removed. Any commercial fungicidal spray will protect your plant from further infections.

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.

Scab causes velvety, olive-green spots to form on all plant parts. Leaves and fruit fall prematurely. Avoid using sprinkler irrigation. Apply a fungicide in the spring and at regular intervals until the weather dries.

Distorted stems, buds, and leaves are caused by aphids. These tiny insects can vary in color, green, pink, black, gray to completely white. They 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.

The caterpillars of Snowberry clearwing moth feed upon snowberries, and are called hornworms because each has a horn on the tail like other sphinx moth caterpillars. The caterpillars vary from dark green with lighter green on the back to brown or purplish, with spiracles very prominent. Spray with Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki when the caterpillars are young. Malathion or spinosad can control larger larvae. The first-generation larvae are found in May or early in June, while the second generation is active in July.

San Jose Scale often attacks snowberries. Clusters of these sucking insects cling to the bark and appear as small gray bumps that can be easily scraped off with a fingernail. Control them with late winter application of dormant oil spray.