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?

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
2 ratings

Monday - November 30, 2009

From: Corpus Christi, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Compost and Mulch, Diseases and Disorders
Title: Esperanza with rust spots in Corpus Christi, TX
Answered by: Barbara Medford

QUESTION:

I have a young esperanza plant and the leaves have what looks like rust spots all over them. What is the cause of this and what can I do for it? My other larger and older esperanza does not have this.

ANSWER:

Without being able to actually see your plant, about all we can do is give you some questions to ask yourself about the location, soil and age of your Tecoma stans (yellow trumpetbush). 

We always begin by looking for pests and diseases that might commonly cause a problem and found, as so often happens, that just about every resource we looked at said this plant was resistant to pests and diseases, had none or was seldom bothered. A nice way of saying they didn't know, either. This University of Florida IFAS Extension website gives more complete information on the culture of the plant. There is always the possibility of whiteflies, aphids or scale defacing the leaves, but none of them are major concerns. And check the sun exposure: this plant requires full sun (6 hours or more of sun daily) or part shade (2 to 6 hours daily). 

We know we sound like a broken record, but the weather the last two years has been very unforgiving, heat and drought taking its toll on even hardy desert plants, which Esperanza is. You say your older plant is not showing these signs, which makes us wonder when you planted the newer one. If it was planted during the heat and drought we were still having up until mid-October, it could very well be suffering from transplant shock. In fact, research shows that plants can suffer transplant shock for up to 5 years after the original planting. Even a desert plant will need supplemental watering when there has not been sufficient rainfall, and the Esperanza particularly needs good drainage; that is to say, no water standing on the roots after it finally gets some rain, or even from a sprinkler system. 

Your plant is about to go into dormancy anyway. In Corpus Christi, it probably won't get cold enough to cause the plant to die back to the ground, but a good trimming back in early Spring will not only initiate more vigorous growth and blooming, but is also the treatment we usually recommend for transplant shock. Be sure and check the drainage; working some compost into the dirt around the roots and mulching the roots to add more heat and cold protection will also help.


Tecoma stans

Tecoma stans

Tecoma stans

 

 

 

More Diseases and Disorders Questions

Mildew and rot in navel orange tree in California
September 02, 2008 - I have a great navel orange tree that seems to have two problems. One of them looks like powdery mildew and the other is some kind of black rot. I have sprayed it several times to no avail. I live ...
view the full question and answer

Texas Mountain Laurel oozing sap in Spicewood, TX.
July 05, 2012 - We have a Texas mountain laurel that seems to be sweating. Oozing sap with no apparent signs of any type of bore holes, or holes made from any birds.
view the full question and answer

Failure to bloom of Salvia greggii from San Antonio
June 29, 2011 - We bought Salvia greggii at the Wildflower Center Plant Sale three years ago and planted them in a well drained area. We cut them back early in the year as recommended at Go Native U classes. ...
view the full question and answer

Failure to flourish of Trumpet Creeper in Leesburg VA
June 28, 2011 - Dear Mr. Smarty Plants: Late last year I planted a trumpet creeper vine to grow on my fence and attract hummingbirds. It gets full sun, is in average soil and gets adequate water. I put a few daylilli...
view the full question and answer

Young Maple Dropping Leaves in Late Summer
September 05, 2013 - I have a 6-year-old maple tree. I'm not sure what type it is as the builder planted it. It is as tall as our two-story house and very healthy. It's the biggest tree in our neighborhood because we fe...
view the full question and answer

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