Host an Event Volunteer Join Tickets

Support the plant database you love!

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.

Help us grow by giving to the Plant Database Fund or by becoming a member

Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?

Share

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.

Search Smarty Plants
See a list of all Smarty Plants questions

Please forgive us, but Mr. Smarty Plants has been overwhelmed by a flood of mail and must take a break for awhile to catch up. We hope to be accepting new questions again soon. Thank you!

Need help with plant identification, visit the plant identification page.

 
rate this answer
1 rating

Tuesday - May 19, 2009

From: Houston, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Diseases and Disorders
Title: Sooty Mold on Beauty Berry
Answered by: Nina Hawkins

QUESTION:

We recently planted a beauty berry plant (among others) to attract birds in our backyard. We have had a lot of rain (probably 5-7 inches) since planting a few weeks ago if that might have something to do with the problem. There appears to be black mold on the underside of the leaves. How can I rid the plant of the mold and not poison the birds? I read that I should spray the plant with malathion but that worries me since we are attracting birds.

ANSWER:

The black mold that you are seeing is probably sooty mold.  Sooty mold is usually caused by the honeydew excretions of sucking insects such as aphids and scale, which often suck plant juices from the protected undersides of leaves where you noticed the mold on your plant.  The mold is likely less harmful to the plant than the insects are.  Your least toxic choice for controlling scale or aphids is to release their natural predators into your yard, such as lady bugs or parasitic wasps, which are available at many plant nurseries and through mail order.  Follow the instructions that come with the insects - they should tell you to release the insects in the evening and to water beforehand to encourage them to take up residence in your yard rather than fly off to someone else's.  Your next option is to use an insecticidal soap or horticultural foliar oil, depending on whether you have aphids or a type of scale. You should only use these sprays on the infected plant, because they will also kill beneficial insects.  I have attached some links below to a similar Smarty Plants question and to a few websites that will help you determine what insect you are dealing with and what method of control will work best for you.  If these methods don't work, the plant is likely too stressed to ever do well, even if you were to use a more agressive pesticide that could harm other insects and the birds that you are trying to attract.  In that case, you may want to cut your losses and replace the diseased plant with a new, healthy specimen.  Happy bird-watching!

Control of sooty mold from aphids in Crape Myrtle

What's That Bug? - Aphids, Scale Insects, Leaf hoppers, and Tree hoppers

Texas Agricultural Extension Service - Scale insects on ornamental plants

Audubon - You have a choice!

 

More Diseases and Disorders Questions

Problems with Purple Heart in Raleigh, NC
December 24, 2014 - I was hoping you could help me with an indoor/outdoor houseplant issue. I have a purple heart, that lives outside in the summers and indoors in the winters. I brought it in a few weeks ago and am no...
view the full question and answer

Time to trim oak trees in Austin
October 29, 2011 - We have several large oak trees in desperate need of a good trimming. Given that the trees have had a very stressful drought year, when would be the best time to trim them?
view the full question and answer

Failing to thrive of non-native rose bushes in Austin
September 24, 2012 - I live in NW Austin and I have lost one knockout rose bush this summer and it looks like another one is failing. The leaves on a cane turn yellow then brown. I do not see whiteflies or black spots o...
view the full question and answer

Non-native sedum 'Burrito' sunburned in Providence RI?
June 28, 2010 - I have a sedum burrito that I keep outside and receives bright sun for around 6 hours a day. it looks like it's getting sunburned, the leaves are getting shriveled and browning on the tips. I've bro...
view the full question and answer

Brown flakes on prickly pear in Los Angeles
June 03, 2008 - I live in Los Angeles CA. I have desert type plants in my landscape. I have prickly pear cactus that have developed some light brown, almost golden flakes on the skin of the pads. I believe it is call...
view the full question and answer

Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today.