Sooty mildew on Eucalyptus Bidgee [CC BY 3.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0)] |
A. The black stuff is called sooty mold or sooty mildew which includes several species of fungi that thrive in honeydew. Honeydew is a sticky secretion from the bodies of aphids, whiteflies, scale insects and similar pests. Honeydew reminds me of tiny droplets of corn syrup spray. Wherever it falls – on other plants or even your walkway – sooty mold will appear.
It’s futile
to try removing the existing mold on leaves, but you can prevent it from
appearing on new ones. Get rid of the insects. You’ll get rid of the mold. Shop
your local garden center for insecticides labeled for the target insects. If
mold occurs on ornamental plants, I prefer products containing systemic insecticide/fertilizer
combinations. If applications are begun early in the season, you may prevent
insect and sooty mold infestations all summer long.
Sooty mold
will not kill your crape myrtles. However, the black film does interfere with
exposure to sunlight, which is essential to photosynthesis. Repeated
infestations can weaken your plants.
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