Some of my seedlings have tip growth like this.
What is causing this?
and this.
ihughes...I just read where some experience member said, that too much fertilizer can cause brown leaf tips...Actually I think that it was said about daylilies, but imagine the same thing could apply to any leaves!
Or how about not enough or too much water?
Could it be any of these things? I know, if you knew you wouldn't be asking the question!
First pic looks like a bruised leaf, or chemical burn fom spray or fertilizer?
Second pic could be mites?
Have you done either of these or been spraying for mites? I am!
I have been spraying for mites. Started just using strong spray of water, switched to the alcohol/water then to Safer soap. I don't see any webs or bugs, but know that there is a mite that doesn't make a web.
We have sprayed 3 times with one spray, now have sprayed 2 times with Avid. Looks like they might be under control. Sure hope so! Have lots of buds and some blooming.
There are cyclamin mites, also spidermites.
OK, here is my guess. You have broad mites. Only Avid, Kelthane, Neem or some other miticide like Ovid will kill them. You won't see webs or mites at all, they live inside the outer layer of the tissue. They cause bronzing of the undersides of the leaf, leaf curl, deformed leaves and brittle leaves. They do all their damage at the tips and on new growth, but once damage is done, nothing can "fix" the damaged leaves.
Thanks Calla, that's what I was afraid of. This is only happening in 1 area of my yard, and that is where most of my 2004 seedlings are. It seems to be happening more to 1 cross. Should I remove them from that area? Several are in the ground. With the miticide, do you treat the ground or the plant? Where do they come from?
Thanks for your help
Linda SC
Linda, I'm not sure where they come from, probably overwintered in weeds or the ground or whatever. They do seem to prefer some crosses over others. I remember a few years back, they really loved some of Eric's crosses and just ruined them. I left those out to freeze because I couldn't get rid of the mites on them.
The miticide needs to drench the leaves. Spray top and bottom of leaf, I spray to runoff(spray is dripping off leaves they are so drenched) when dealing with these mites. Be sure to get right in the tip of the branches too, and especially the tip of the main trunk.
After my battle with these all one summer, I've not had them in two years, so there is hope!
Here's another. Could the spray be burning the new growth? Maybe it's too strong?
Linda, did anyone ever decide what your leaf problem was/is?? I have similar leafs and i haven't been able to feed the plants in almost two weeks because of the rain, and the leaf thing seems to have stopped, the new growth is just fine. I use 20-20-20 and wonder if I should cut back on the strength???? Also, approximately how much fert, per plant should I be feeding?????
Sherry, I'm sorry, I'm not the one to answer your questions. This problem only happens in one area of my yard. I've taken a couple still in pots, picked off all the deformed leaves, sprayed again and moved. I'll see now if the same thing happens in the new area. I feel that one of my problems is too little sun. I have lots of shade.
I've been having lots of rain lately too, so have not had to water. I've tried the AP on some of them but have not had time to see if it increases the number of blooms. So far, I've only had 3 blooms (all on the same plant) and I do have more buds but I've had some bud drop too.
Linda, I have been having the same fight here. I finally found a leaf with the bronzing on the bottom. I think we probably bring in something from a nursery that has them. They can really deform the leaves. The damage reminds me of the damage of fuchsia mites do if you let them go.
I was using Avid to no avail so yesterday I picked off all the curled leaves and sprayed them all with Neem. Last year Neem stopped my infestation. I am hoping it works again. I think it was Larry that said you can tell them also when the top shoot gets no growth on it. He had a picture. Some of mine are like that also.
Hi Kell, how are you doing with all of yours? How's the farm? Your 'red' is stunning!! I sprayed again yesterday so we'll see what happens now. I've been trying to send good vibes your way. Linda
Thanks, Linda, and, I just noticed that you are in zone 8a - I too have little sun, in my main brug garden, but I think this stuff on the leaves is chemical burn of some kind. My original brug, in the ground, in my back yard, was definitely chemical burned by a crop duster, but those leaves turned to brown, slimy, burnt mush. But, I still think mine is chemical burn, but, the problem with that is that, with exception of the hydrogen peroxide/alcohol, liquid soap, and MG, everything I've used, I've used on all the plants in the garden, every last one of them and none have this problem. I'm beginning to wonder if the liquid soap might have burned them, ya think??? I'm also wondering if the crop duster chemical might have, very slightly hit the brugs - but, it would have had to hit other plants too and everything else is fine. It is perplexing, yet I suspect the answer is right in front of me and I'm missing it. I do know, that when I get to feed them again, I'm using the 20-20-20 at half strength. What ferts do you use, Linda???? BTW, with exception of three hours, it has rained here since 3 am last night and we were already drenched...
Thanks Linda. I sprayed all the seedlings with Avid before I took them to the "farm." So I sure hope it does not spread to there.
I will see as soon as the new growth comes if the Neem worked. I know it did last year. I remember when I left one visit to go back East I had emailed Susie a pic of my L'Amour with a hysterical comment that it would be dead when I got back. The growth was all distorted and looked virused. I sprayed it with Neem the day I left and when I got back it was fine! All the diseased growth had dropped off and new healthy leaves were growing!
Sherry, when I plant my brugs, in pots and in the ground, I add a big handful of Osmocote so that if I can't water, I know they are still getting a few nutrients from it. Maybe next year you could try that or even this year. You can scratch it into the soil. I can't say that it work, but it makes me feel easier about missing feedings.
Yes, Shirley, I've planted all my plants (in the ground or in pots) 'forever' with potting soil and Osomocte, then I water the hole, let it set before I plant, and come back with deep watering. Actually, after a go round tonight, I do think, despite the rain, that the brugs are doing nicely, blooms popping up every place and i have two pretty Dr Suess blooming now, despite the rain. Plus, my potting soil has Osmocote. Shoot, maybe I have too much fert. I can't wait to try your soil less potting mixture. Thanks, Shirley, you are such a sweetie!!!!!