Black spots, help!!!

enigma99a · 11-29-2008, 11:16 PM

I've noticed that my varieties are getting very small black spots, which make the leaves look speckled. I am guessing it's some kind of fungus because of the cool & damp foggy nights we've been having.

Highs have been about mid 60s and lows in 40s. Record low so far this season is 39.

Ideas? What should I do..

bepah · 11-29-2008, 11:33 PM

If you're watering, stop.

I am watching the older leaves on my plants slowly brownup....I would guess its just the cooler weather.

Mulch the ground. I top dress with compost in December.

Good luck.

dablo93 · 11-30-2008, 06:07 AM

its normal, dont worry, i have the same, but the plants won't die of it, the temperatuers are just too low. when the temperatures get higher the plant will produce good spot-less leaves but the spots on the old leavs won't dissapear.
a small itinerans outside has so much black spots that there is no green leaves left almos

they dont die of it.

bigdog · 11-30-2008, 01:36 PM

It is a leaf spot fungus, probably Cercospora. You can spray with a fungicide. I use a copper fungicide spray to treat it if the fungus has really spread a lot. Removing old infested leaves and then treating the plant with fungicide should get rid of it. The fungus will lie around in organic matter, so make sure you clean all organic matter around it and dispose of it. However, if it's not too unsightly, don't fret it. It won't kill your plants.

Frank

Chironex · 11-30-2008, 07:11 PM

Is bordeaux mix of any use for banana fungi and mildew, molds, etc? I used it successfully on grape vines, but wonder about its toxicity to the banana plants specifically.

enigma99a · 12-01-2008, 04:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigdog

It is a leaf spot fungus, probably Cercospora. You can spray with a fungicide. I use a copper fungicide spray to treat it if the fungus has really spread a lot. Removing old infested leaves and then treating the plant with fungicide should get rid of it. The fungus will lie around in organic matter, so make sure you clean all organic matter around it and dispose of it. However, if it's not too unsightly, don't fret it. It won't kill your plants.

Frank

Thanks so much! At least it won't kill the plant. I will probably just leave it alone unless borax works

Chironex · 12-01-2008, 12:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by enigma99a

Thanks so much! At least it won't kill the plant. I will probably just leave it alone unless borax works

Not sure about this, but just to be on the safe side, I want to point out that my post said Bordeaux (like the region in France) mix, not borax - the "20 Mule team" stuff. Perhaps it is not what you were referring to, but again, I just wanted to be sure that my post wasn't inadvertently misinterpreted.

Carry on.

microfarmer · 12-01-2008, 02:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by enigma99a

Thanks so much! At least it won't kill the plant. I will probably just leave it alone unless borax works

Use Borax for the ants... Bordeaux would be for the fungus (that is if it's effective). When it gets this time of year, I basically write off any leaves left, as the winter will trash them from here on out, til spring. I have the same thing happen to my plants each year. I use this as my cue to protect them. I've got my ground covered with black plastic, and will have covers for the more tender ones this weekend. Mine are still growing slowly, but showing signs of stress and cold, too.

You didn't state if you are growing tender plants or cold tolerant varieties. If you're growing tender varieties, you'll need some sort of good protection for the winter. If you have CA Gold, Dwarf Orinoco, Manzano, or Ice Cream, they should be ok (along with others from the Cold Hardy List). Last year, the only 3 that were stem hardy in my Carmichael backyard were Ice Cream, Dw. Orinoco, and CA Gold.

Good luck!

enigma99a · 12-01-2008, 06:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chironex

Not sure about this, but just to be on the safe side, I want to point out that my post said Bordeaux (like the region in France) mix, not borax - the "20 Mule team" stuff. Perhaps it is not what you were referring to, but again, I just wanted to be sure that my post wasn't inadvertently misinterpreted.

Carry on.

Ah, thanks.. my bad

I'm just going to let nature take its course then. At least it won't kill the leaves

enigma99a · 12-02-2008, 05:14 AM

Here is a photo of the spots

Other Images taken on December 1st

sandy0225 · 12-02-2008, 07:25 AM

That is so normal! it happens every year here right when it's about time to take in the dc's and tender bananas for the fall. They are just telling you they're not too happy with you leaving them outside in the cold! (Kind of like the cat jumping on the door!)LOL!!!

11-29-2008, 11:16 PM	#1 (permalink)
enigma99a enigma99a's Photo Gallery Location: Rocklin, CA Find me on the map! Zone: 9b+ Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 476 BananaBucks : 102,077 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 103 Times Was Thanked 277 Times in 129 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 2 Times	Black spots, help!!! I've noticed that my varieties are getting very small black spots, which make the leaves look speckled. I am guessing it's some kind of fungus because of the cool & damp foggy nights we've been having. Highs have been about mid 60s and lows in 40s. Record low so far this season is 39. Ideas? What should I do.. __________________ Average January Low: 40°F, Average August High: 95°F Typical Low Each Winter: 28-30°F, Typical High Each Summer: 108-110°F, Annual Precipitation: 22 inches Last edited by enigma99a : 11-29-2008 at 11:22 PM.

11-29-2008, 11:33 PM	#2 (permalink)
bepah Freelance Botanoeconomist bepah's Photo Gallery Location: Brentwood CA Find me on the map! Zone: 9b Name: bepah Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 308 BananaBucks : 53,171 Feedback: 1 / 100% Said "Thanks" 25 Times Was Thanked 220 Times in 122 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 406 Times	Re: Black spots, help!!! If you're watering, stop. I am watching the older leaves on my plants slowly brownup....I would guess its just the cooler weather. Mulch the ground. I top dress with compost in December. Good luck. __________________ John Case Rookie Gardener, Veteran Drinker

11-30-2008, 06:07 AM	#3 (permalink)
dablo93 dablo93 's Photo Gallery Location: Randstad North Find me on the map! Zone: Z8b-Z9a, wet cold winters and mild summers Name: daen Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 909 BananaBucks : 97,448 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 122 Times Was Thanked 262 Times in 166 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 159 Times	Re: Black spots, help!!! its normal, dont worry, i have the same, but the plants won't die of it, the temperatuers are just too low. when the temperatures get higher the plant will produce good spot-less leaves but the spots on the old leavs won't dissapear. a small itinerans outside has so much black spots that there is no green leaves left almos they dont die of it. __________________ -=

11-30-2008, 01:36 PM	#4 (permalink)
bigdog ******* bigdog's Photo Gallery** Location: Gainesville, FL Find me on the map! Zone: 8b Name: Frank Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 2,003 BananaBucks : 749,853 Feedback: 7 / 100% Said "Thanks" 213 Times Was Thanked 1,788 Times in 503 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 131 Times	Re: Black spots, help!!! It is a leaf spot fungus, probably Cercospora. You can spray with a fungicide. I use a copper fungicide spray to treat it if the fungus has really spread a lot. Removing old infested leaves and then treating the plant with fungicide should get rid of it. The fungus will lie around in organic matter, so make sure you clean all organic matter around it and dispose of it. However, if it's not too unsightly, don't fret it. It won't kill your plants. Frank

11-30-2008, 07:11 PM	#5 (permalink)
Chironex The causasian Asian! Chironex's Photo Gallery Location: Jakarta, Indonesia Find me on the map! Zone: I have no idea Name: Scot Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 2,788 BananaBucks : 122,335 Feedback: 9 / 100% Said "Thanks" 4,544 Times Was Thanked 1,406 Times in 808 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 609 Times	Re: Black spots, help!!! Is bordeaux mix of any use for banana fungi and mildew, molds, etc? I used it successfully on grape vines, but wonder about its toxicity to the banana plants specifically. __________________ Scot

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12-02-2008, 05:14 AM	#10 (permalink)
enigma99a enigma99a's Photo Gallery Location: Rocklin, CA Find me on the map! Zone: 9b+ Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 476 BananaBucks : 102,077 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 103 Times Was Thanked 277 Times in 129 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 2 Times	Re: Black spots, help!!! Here is a photo of the spots Other Images taken on December 1st __________________ Average January Low: 40°F, Average August High: 95°F Typical Low Each Winter: 28-30°F, Typical High Each Summer: 108-110°F, Annual Precipitation: 22 inches Last edited by enigma99a : 12-02-2008 at 05:47 AM.

12-02-2008, 07:25 AM	#11 (permalink)
sandy0225 Northern Tropics sandy0225's Photo Gallery Location: Muncie, Indiana zone 5 Find me on the map! Zone: zone 5 Name: Sandy Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 1,718 BananaBucks : 364,687 Feedback: 31 / 97% Said "Thanks" 38 Times Was Thanked 1,801 Times in 682 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 9 Times	Re: Black spots, help!!! That is so normal! it happens every year here right when it's about time to take in the dc's and tender bananas for the fall. They are just telling you they're not too happy with you leaving them outside in the cold! (Kind of like the cat jumping on the door!)LOL!!! __________________ Sandy Burrell Northern Tropics Greenhouse 1501 East Fuson Road Muncie, IN 47302 www.northerntropics.com specializing in bananas, heirloom tomatoes and water gardening plants~ check out our new online store at our website!

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