Question
QUESTION: Hello,

Most of my red apple ice plant is very healthy. I have some areas where it gets purple spots and then dark purple and it spreads and then the area dies.  Please help me identify the problem and what I can do.

Thank you very much!!

ANSWER: Purple spots that eventually die are indicative of a possible fungal disease.  If the spots are tan or gray in the middle with a purple margin, then I would say that this is the case.  If it has been raining a lot or you have been watering with overhead sprinkler irrigation, this would make the problem worse.  You can treat with one of several fungicides and probably control the spread of the disease.  Daconil or Copper Fungicide would be safe choices if you dont mind spraying chemicals.  If you prefer softer or organic chemistry, then you can try the Cornell Fungicide.  You make this yourself by taking one tablespoon baking soda, one tablespoon of a light cooking oil (Wesson) and adding these to one gallon of water.  Shake well and spray liberally.  You can use this product on any plant problem, such as roses.  The baking soda acts as a contact kill fungicide by raising the pH on the leaf surface for a short period of time.  The problem with this mixture is that it has to be sprayed every 3-5 days for three to four applications before you will begin to see results.  Good Luck.

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

QUESTION: Hello,

Thank you very much for the information!  The only problem is the purple spots are not tan or gray in the middle with a purple margin.  They just start with purple dots and eventually sections all turn a sort of purple and die.  I have sprayed once with daconil and will spray again shortly.  I`ve seen this purple condition on red apple in other areas of San Diego.  I would really appreciated any other informatio you could give me!!!!

Thanks!!

Jon Berndes

Answer
Based on your description, we may be dealing with a bacterial disease rather than a fungal disease.  In this case, the daconil or any fungicide would not be the best treatment option.  Go to a garden center and purchase Hi-Yield Copper Fungicide (bactericide). The copper hydroxide is usually used to treat bacterial diseases of plants.  This is a safe product and is organically approved.  Spray according to label directions for ornamentals.  Do this once every 7-10 days and see if this prevents further spread of the purple spots.  If this does not seem to work, there may be a nutritional deficiency of some sort.  But let's try this first and see what happens.  It is a cheap product and you should be able to buy a very small quantity (8 oz).  Try this and respond back in a couple of weeks with your results.  I hope this will solve the problem.  Good Luck.