Question
I have a lovely pink camellia and it usually is full of flowers in the early spring . This year was no exception but all of a sudden all the flowers have died and the leaves have become sticky . Some of the leaves are turning yellow and black .Am I doing something wrong ? We only water it with rain water . Help !

Answer
Hi Pat:
See if the black stuff rubs off the leaves using a wet paper tissue or wet finger.  If it does, then more than likely you have sooty mold.  Check out this bulletin that I prepared on the subject.  It is a pdf file.  http://www.uaex.edu/Other_Areas/publications/PDF/FSA-7555.pdf

Yellowing of the leaves may also be due to an insect or possible fertilizer imbalance in the soil.  Contact your local garden center about trying a little plant food too if it has been a while since you put some fertilizer on.

Enjoy the Spring!

Steve