Explore Plants
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.
Can't find the answer in our existing FAQs, submit a question to Mr. Smarty Plants.
Need help with plant identification, visit the plant identification page.
rate this answer
Sunday - March 08, 2009
From: Schertz, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Vines
Title: What is wrong with my cross vine (Bignonia capreolata?
Answered by: Jimmy Mills
QUESTION:
I have a crossvine (Bignonia capreolata) that has grown and bloomed beautifully for about 7 years. Then last year the bloom was significantly less and the bottom growth almost nonexistant. The leaves developed dark red round spots on them. New growth looked chlorotic. I have given it iron chelate and Gardenville's organic fertilizer, along with some molasses and seaweed. No change. I sprayed it with potassium bicarbonate, thinking it had a fungus or mildew. No change. It gets about three quarters of a day of sun. The only pruning I've done is at the top to keep the vine off the roof. It is planted at the roof dripline, so it gets water whenever it rains, plus I soak around my foundation. This spring it is looking really bad. I don't want to lose it. What is going on?ANSWER:
One way to approach this is to try to determine what has changed with the plants growing conditions since year seven. Cross vine, Bignonia capreolata (crossvine) grows in moist, well drained soil and in sun or partial shade. Is the soaking of the foundation a recent addition? Receiving too much water could affect the leaves. The red spots sound like a fungal problem. There also could be a pathogen (fungal or bacterial) attacking the the roots in the soil. I'm going to suggest that you contact your Guadalupe County Extension Agent who can give you instructions for sending a plant and/or a soil sample to the Texas A&M Plant Disease Diagnostic Lab.
More Vines Questions
Need a vine to cover a chainlink fence in the shade in Tarrytown, NY.
June 08, 2012 - Any advice for a vine to cover a chain link fence in shade
view the full question and answer
Evergreen vine or plant that is non-toxic for horses in Pennsylvania
June 12, 2009 - I am looking for an evergreen vine or plant that can grow in shade and is not toxic to horses. I live 30 miles west of Philadephia. Can you help me? I would like to camouflage a wire horse fence. It ...
view the full question and answer
Flowering vine for shade in Southern California
May 11, 2012 - Flowering climbing plant for shade in Palm Desert, CA.
view the full question and answer
Plant identification of vine in Ohio
September 21, 2010 - I have a vine in my forest that grows up trees, that could eventually pull them over. It has roundleaves and prickers on the stem. What is this vine so I can research it?
view the full question and answer
Native vines to cover limestone walls in Austin
April 28, 2008 - We are moving into a house in Austin that has three tiered 5'- 6' retaining walls in the back yard. They are huge and somewhat of an eye sore. We have some cool landscaping ideas to make the most ...
view the full question and answer
 |
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. Mr. Smarty Plants wants you to be his Facebook friend. Click the Facebook icon to add yourself to Mr. Smarty Plants list of friends. |
