What is wrong with my Rhaphiolepis (Indian Hawthorne)?

Are the older leaves of your Rhaphiolepis turning yellow and wilting?

Do the roots and crowns of your Rhaphiolepis have dark brown spots at the soil level?

Are the leaves of your Rhaphiolepis covered with white powder?

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

Are there any tiny, reddish spots on leaves which are sometimes surrounded by a dark red, purple, or yellow halo?

Are the leaves curled and yellow?

Does the plant begins to wilt and are there zigzag paths in roots or stems?

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

Are the leaf margins notched?

These symptoms indicate a fungal disease known as 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.

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. Provide adequate drainage and know the water needs of individual plants.

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.

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.

Entomosporium leaf spot causes tiny, reddish spots, sometimes surrounded by a dark red, purple, or yellow halo, to appear on infected leaves. Spots darken and enlarge as the leaves mature. Remove and dispose of spotted leaves on plants and the ground near plants. Use drip, flood, or low-volume sprinklers instead of overhead irrigation. Where the problem is severe, a copper fungicide can reduce damage if thoroughly sprayed on plants before they are damaged.

Distorted, curled leaves are caused by aphids. These insects cluster under leaves and on growing tips where they feed on plant sap. You can control them by washing them off the plant with water spray. Insecticidal soap should be used with severe infestations.

These symptoms are caused by Black vine weevil larvae. The larvae are small whitish grubs, which feed within the fruit, stem, or roots of plants. The larvae feed on the roots and stems. The feeding can girdle the stem, killing the plant. Drench the soil around your artemisia with the predatory nematodes solution. If there are adult weevils, knock them from the plant on a piece of cloth and destroy them.

Larvae of flatheaded borers tunnel beneath the bark, causing wet, sappy areas on the bark of the main trunk. Boring may kill limbs or entire trees. 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.

Notched edges on Rhaphiolepis leaves are usually caused by insects - Fuller rose beetles. This small, grayish-brown beetle has a cream-colored stripe on each side of its body. It feeds on foliage usually at night time. Larvae usually feed on roots. You can handpick the adults as they hide in foliage during the day. The application of sticky substances at the base of the plant should prevent adults from climbing up the plant. Introduce parasitic nematodes to the surrounding soil to control larvae.

Mineral deficiencies can cause tip chlorosis or necrosis or cause foliage to discolor, fade, distort, or become spotted, sometimes in a characteristic pattern that can be recognized to identify the cause. When nutrient deficiencies occur, nitrogen and iron are the most commonly seen deficiencies. Apply only the mineral found to be deficient. Excess nutrients, on the other hand, cause symptoms like leaf tip dieback, marginal leaf chlorosis, necrosis (or burn), branch dieback, and pest problems. Provide good drainage, and use good practices during fertilization and irrigation.