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
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
Problems with non-native St. Augustine lawn from Austin
October 06, 2013 - We have St. Augustine in our front lawn. There are some patches where the grass has entirely died but mixed in with the dead areas are little clumps of living grass. It seems to be spreading througho...
view the full question and answer
Leaves wrinkling on Tecoma stans from San Antonio TX
August 16, 2013 - My two year old esperanza (planted in the ground) froze back last winter, came back from the roots & has been doing well all summer. Recently one branch has leaves that are nice & green but very wrin...
view the full question and answer
Splitting bark on non-native mimosa from Buda TX
June 24, 2012 - What would cause my Mimosa tree to have splitting bark. I've only lived in this house for 8 months and am learning about this tree. The other tree seems fine. It looks as though it split and then ...
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
Why did my Prairie Flax plant die in Austin, TX?
April 27, 2012 - Hello,
We planted 4 prairie flax last fall in garden. They were all growing nicely until last month when I found that one of them has completely dried up and died. The plants are planted together a...
view the full question and answer
| Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |