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
Thursday - April 17, 2008
From: St Augustine, FL
Region: Southeast
Topic: Trees
Title: Treatment of black mildew on magnolia
Answered by: Barbara Medford
QUESTION:
I think my magnolia has black mildew. How do I treat it?ANSWER:
We are assuming that your tree is the Magnolia grandiflora (southern magnolia), which is native to Florida. We found an excellent website on this plant from the University of Florida Extension Service. Near the end of the article is a section on Diseases, where we found this information: "Magnolias may be subject to leaf spots, blights, scabs and black mildew caused by a large number of fungi or a bacterium, but they rarely require chemical controls. Raking up and disposing infected leaves may reduce leaf spots next year."
For better on-the-spot information and suggestions on control (or the lack of need for it), go to this website from the St. John's County Extension Office. It has phone numbers and e-mail address for you to contact them. If the problem you are having is widespread, they will be aware of it and can offer you publications and advice in your environment.
More Trees Questions
Long term effects of pesticide from Lubbock TX
March 20, 2013 - I have 9 western pecan trees about 20 years old. Trunk sizes is from 18" to 39". I used a product Bayer Tree and Shrub, applied to the trees. I wonder what it will do to the trees. I talkd to Bayer ...
view the full question and answer
Should a mustang grape be left near live oak in Austin?
July 17, 2009 - I recently removed a huge mass of jasmine from a clump of live oaks. Inside I found a very large (12' long) exposed root of a mustang grape. I'd like to trim it back to the original clump and reta...
view the full question and answer
Trees that aren't poisonous or don't have poisonous berries for dogs
January 20, 2010 - What trees are not poisonous or have poison berries for dogs?
view the full question and answer
Looking for an evergreen vine to grow on trellis as a privacy screen
July 11, 2015 - Hello,
I'm looking for an evergreen vine to grow on a free standing trellis. It is used as a screen on our back porch, so ideally we would not like to use anything that flowers due to the insects ...
view the full question and answer
Propagation of Mexican olive in Luling, TX
August 04, 2009 - Mr. Smarty Plants: we live in Luling, just south of Austin and have a 4 year old Mexican Olive tree; question: how do we propagate this 'hard to find' tree? Thank you so much.
view the full question and answer
| Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |