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 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
Prickly pear doing poorly on Long Island NY
December 27, 2012 - First, thanks for your reply on 11-3-12, re.Can a prickly pear cutting from Harker Heights, TX find happiness in Long Island, NY. The plants were set before a southern window in the attic, temp. ra...
view the full question and answer
Trumpet creeper with ants in Belchertown MA
July 23, 2011 - My Campsis Vine is having one of the maximum blossom years it gets after a good pruning. This year, I have black carpenter ants on the blossoms and the flowers are rotting from the edges down on some...
view the full question and answer
Spots on non-native naval orange trees from Stockton CA
October 20, 2012 - I have two mature Navel Orange trees. One tree has developed spotty chlorophyl depleted areas that were not on the oranges when they were smaller. In addition, the oranges on both trees are smaller ,...
view the full question and answer
Are Ashe Junipers dying from mite damage in Austin?
August 08, 2011 - If Ashe Juniper needles are turning brown and dropping off the trees because of drought, and not disease, do the needles ever come back, or have the tree limbs died? What if the cause is mites, not ...
view the full question and answer
Yellowing of fronds on Sago Palm
March 27, 2007 - Our Sago Palm now has all yellow fronds from the Winter frosts.
Should they be cut off? Will the plant grow new fronds from the bottom to replace the ugly looking ones that are there? And why do I se...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |