Question
QUESTION: Over the past few months the ivy outside my walk way has lost it's leaves and the vines are exposed. The ivy across the driveway has not had this problem.  We did have a few hot spells, but the ivy is watered. The ivy is about 20 years old and there has never been a problem before.  There are no trees that put the ivy into the shade. I live in Los Angeles and am up in the hills, and the temperature is usually warm or hot, except in January and February.

ANSWER: Judy:
What type of ivy do you have? Did the  leaves have any spots before dropping? Was anything washed off of the walkway that could have washed into the ivy?  Can you send a closeup photo of the affected ivy? Be sure to review your image on your computer to be sure it is in focus before you attache to your message.

Thanks

Steve

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Steve,

There has been nothing washed onto the ivy from the street or elsewhere.  We did have a few weeks of very hot weather.  This killed a lot of my Mondo grass off, as well as some other plants. The area where the other ivy is in the shade was not affected.  We are under water rationing and could only water twice a week.  I left the ivy station on for long periods of time, and there has been a suggestion of "root rot".
My gardener has shown me where there is some new growth of ivy.  Still the rest of the ivy does have some spots on it.  Again, the thought is that the hot weather caused this to happen.  As I said before, the ivy growing across my driveway and on the hillside (both in the shade)is fine. I will attempt to use my scanner with the leaf on it.

Please respond to what you think may be the problem without seeing the leaf.

Thank you,

Judy

Answer
Judy:
In most  cases, the "root rots" are associated with the soil remaining wet or saturated for extended periods.  If new growth has been confirmed, this may indicate a temporary stress, rather than a progressive thing.  Is this English Ivy or some other type? Do you feel that the leaf spots were the result of plant death or did the leaves brown up and die independent of the spots?

I look forward to taking a look at your photo. I think this system is set up to send only one photo per message. If you have the time, you might wish to take and send a photo of the overall dying area.

Steve