Native Plants
Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?
A: There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers are the culpable and capable culprits. Yet, others think staff members play some, albeit small, role. You can torture us with your plant questions, but we will never reveal the Green Guru's secret identity.
Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
rate this answer
Tuesday - June 02, 2009
From: Marble Falls, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Diseases and Disorders
Title: What to do about powdery mildew on Pavonia lasiopetala?
Answered by: Jimmy Mills
QUESTION:
My Pavonia lasiopetala seems to have gotten mildew this spring. I was hoping that warm weather would get rid of it. Instead it has spread to most of the plants which are located in widely separated beds. Should I pull it all out? Or will it recover? I can't see that it has affected any of the other plants in the same beds.ANSWER:
Pavonia lasiopetala (Texas swampmallow) is a popular garden accent plant throughout Texas, even though it originates on dry, rocky woods or banks of South, Central or West Texas. Like many other species in the mallow family, it is very susceptible to powdery mildew. While pavonias leaves are sometimes greatly disfigured, the plant is seldom seriously injured by an infestation of mildew. Before pulling it out, I would suggest trying to control the mildew. I've listed some websites that explain mildew, its causes and treatments, including both organic and chemical remedies.
Washington State University Extension
Alabama Cooperative Extension System
Another source of information is the Burnet County Extension Office.
More Diseases and Disorders Questions
Problems with Fantex ash in Pahrump NV
April 08, 2010 - We planted a Fantex Ash tree over 3 years ago and it was thriving until recently. This year when the temperature began to warm up, it blossomed and then suddenly stopped growing. All the other trees...
view the full question and answer
Pecan leaves falling off the trees in Austin, TX.
August 08, 2012 - Why are the pecan tree leaves turning black, sappy and falling off the trees, in great quantities? This has happened since the recent rains, all through the Allandale area.
view the full question and answer
Pecan tree dropping dead leaves
August 02, 2014 - I have a very old, tall pecan tree in my yard that has been dropping dead leaves for the last three weeks. My back yard looks like it is the Fall season. Do you have any insight on this?
view the full question and answer
Health of pond cypress
April 08, 2005 - Is there a common reason pond cypress trees vary greatly in their apparent health in similar conditions? I have 7 of them on my property, only two look healthy, one died and fell down recently. The lo...
view the full question and answer
Esperanza with rust spots in Corpus Christi, TX
November 30, 2009 - I have a young esperanza plant and the leaves have what looks like rust spots all over them. What is the cause of this and what can I do for it? My other larger and older esperanza does not have this....
view the full question and answer
| Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |