I nearly had a Heart attack when I saw this on my new Heliconia (from a trade, not here). It has developed in the last 2 weeks
But it IS rust =( (have seen it on DLs)
Does anyone know what I can treat it with? I am not familiar with how sensitive or tough Heliconia is, or should I just pitch the plant? I have it quarantined, but it was near a banana, canna babies plumeria seedlings and cuttings, and monstera and others
I have never had this on any of my plants, ever...
Thank you
Chicory
Rust on Heliconia
I was very upset last summer when I discovered rust on daylilies I had purchased through a DG coop. It later developed that there were others and there was a lot of discussion regarding treatment. I don't know how to get you there but LimeyLisa started a thread on July 29, 2004 in the daylily forum which dealt with rust. I did purchase some very expensive fungicides which I would share but from the instructions, you should not put it in another container at all. Hope you can find this thread and can get control of it. There are other, cheaper, fungicides you can use but I had paniced and ordered before I got more information.
Sorry I did not see this post earlier. It is worth a shot to try and save your plant. I found that it spread to canna, hosta, ees but lots of other plants in the same area did not get it. Also, friends up north where the weather gets colder, the freeze kills the rust. They seemed to have no problem the next year. Even some daylilies are not susceptible.
Hope this helps. I know how devastating it feels but with your weather don't think it will be a problem to any outdoor plants. I would get rid of any that would be in the house or a greenhouse that might spread it. And wash your clothes and hands every time you are near it.
Let me know how you make out.
Ruby
Hey thanks Ruby
I am going to try mixing up some neem and cinnamon oils and spray it first. I washed it with a solution of soap and listerine. It got the loose stuff off but I am going to try a systemic fungicide as a last resort. The plant is'nt huge and won't be a big loss. I also removed the soil and washed the roots.
I have an applicators license and can get what I want but, don't like to use it here. I am allergic to many of the chems out there.
I will let you know how this goes thanks again
Kerrie
OK, what does rust look like?....is it a powdery substance on the leaf?...Judy
It is powdery but it is the color of rust. The way you can be certain that it is rust and not just normal browning of leaves is if you run your finger on it and it leaves a rust colored residue on your fingers. Once you see it, you will know.
Judy, since you live in MI, if you do have it, your cold winter should take care of it so I wouldn't worry too much. Down here in the hot humid south, it just spreads out and our winters are not cold enough to get rid of it.
Forgot to mention, it came into Georgia from some foreign country I believe in 2002 and has spread like wildfire in the south. If you are around it and don't wash clothes, hands, pots, etc. it just moves around. Washing is key.
Well I washed the plant and everything still coming up on it so ... I did the unthinkable set the plant in the freezing air, killed the tops off cut it back removed all the soil. Dipped in a bleach solution air dried it and replanted in a sterilized pot with fresh sterilized soil. Now to see if I killed the poor thing. LOL Hopefully i got rid of it
It wasn't a big significant plant but I hate to loose them if it is a simple solution.
And I don't want any rust on my cannas or other plants I grow on in the house and greenhouse.
Have a great day everyone
Kerrie