Question
winterberry
Steve here are some pictures of that winterberry with those black spots. thanks again Mike
AnswerMike:
Thanks for the photo. This photo may suggest some type of fungus disease. There are a few fungal diseases that can affect Ilex sp. Among those fungal diseases, anthracnose and scab are quite commonly reported on the fruit and sometimes on the leaves. Both diseases often result from frequent overhead water from rain or irrigations. Most of the time these diseases don't really compromise the overall health of the plant if it is being cared for by good waterings and fertilization. Question for you to answer is "Can I live with the current level of disease?" If not, you will more than likely need to apply a suitable fungicide to the entire plant at the right time and possibly more than once. Coverage and timing are important. The best time to make the first application is just as the new leaves start to come out next growing season. Then followup applications based on what the label on the product recommends- often 10-14 days for up to 2-3 months, depending on weather. If you decide to go the spray route, be sure to read the label on the fungicide completely. A couple of good general use fungicides for you to check out at your local garden center or box store is Spectracide Immunox or Fertilome Multipurpose Fungicide. Both are liquid concentrates and will need to be mixed with water (according to the label)before applying. Both products are effective for several plant diseases. Read the label to be sure it is safe to use on your plants.
Regards
Steve
