dogwood powdery mildew
 

I've been so worried about my dogwoods b/c they have this powdery
mildew and two of them are LARGE, old trees. In case anyone else
is interested, here's what I found out about it (from
http://www.ca.uky.edu/agc/news/1999/May/pmildew.htm):

The most severely affected trees could be wilted and brown by
late summer and the youngest leaves may be distorted and curled.
"Although it would appear to weaken trees," Hartman said.
"Powdery mildew does not appear to be lethal. We have observed
that under high disease pressure, flower production is decreased
the following year."So, what can Kentuckians do to help out the
dogwood's plight? Hartman said to avoid cultural practices that
stimulate succulent growth, such as applying nitrogen fertilizer,
heavily pruning and excessively irrigating. Also, apply mulch
over the root system, prune out dead branches, and provide good
air movement and light penetration by judicious pruning of nearby
vegetation.

So, I may wait until early spring next year to spray the affected
trees. I hate that they won't bloom tho.

Jw

Raleighgirl wrote:
I've been so worried about my dogwoods b/c they have this powdery
mildew and two of them are LARGE, old trees. In case anyone else
is interested, here's what I found out about it (from
http://www.ca.uky.edu/agc/news/1999/May/pmildew.htm ):
...
So, I may wait until early spring next year to spray the affected
trees. I hate that they won't bloom tho.

I'm by no means a dogwood expert or a fungus expert, but my experience
with powdery mildew leads me to beleive that you're worrying
unneccesarily - or at least prematurely.

I'm guessing that this is a result of the cool spring and that it will
clear up this summer. I'll be happy to take a $50 bet that it won't
kill your trees, and that they -will- bloom next year, and that if you
call your extension agent he will -not- recommend spraying for it.

- Susan

Jo,

For starters, be an optimist! "flower production is decreased" does not
necessarily mean that the dogwoods won't bloom at all.

I would have advised you to fertilize the trees, based on the old theory
that a "healthy" plant/tree/bush resists disease more successfully, but I
think that it is probably important to use the right kind of fertilizer,
based on the comments about not applying nitrogen fertilizer. (The time of
year for fertilizing is probably also important, but I confess my little
dogwoods don't get any at all.)

As for "excessivly irrigating," that's an oxymoron here in the sandy section
of the Triangle!

Anne Lurie
NE Raleigh



"Raleighgirl" wrote in message
m...
I've been so worried about my dogwoods b/c they have this powdery
mildew and two of them are LARGE, old trees. In case anyone else
is interested, here's what I found out about it (from
http://www.ca.uky.edu/agc/news/1999/May/pmildew.htm):

The most severely affected trees could be wilted and brown by
late summer and the youngest leaves may be distorted and curled.
"Although it would appear to weaken trees," Hartman said.
"Powdery mildew does not appear to be lethal. We have observed
that under high disease pressure, flower production is decreased
the following year."So, what can Kentuckians do to help out the
dogwood's plight? Hartman said to avoid cultural practices that
stimulate succulent growth, such as applying nitrogen fertilizer,
heavily pruning and excessively irrigating. Also, apply mulch
over the root system, prune out dead branches, and provide good
air movement and light penetration by judicious pruning of nearby
vegetation.

So, I may wait until early spring next year to spray the affected
trees. I hate that they won't bloom tho.

Jw

Here is so more sites that could help you.
http://www.ca.uky.edu/agc/pubs/id/id67/id67.htm
"Raleighgirl" wrote in message
m...
I've been so worried about my dogwoods b/c they have this powdery
mildew and two of them are LARGE, old trees. In case anyone else
is interested, here's what I found out about it (from
http://www.ca.uky.edu/agc/news/1999/May/pmildew.htm):

The most severely affected trees could be wilted and brown by
late summer and the youngest leaves may be distorted and curled.
"Although it would appear to weaken trees," Hartman said.
"Powdery mildew does not appear to be lethal. We have observed
that under high disease pressure, flower production is decreased
the following year."So, what can Kentuckians do to help out the
dogwood's plight? Hartman said to avoid cultural practices that
stimulate succulent growth, such as applying nitrogen fertilizer,
heavily pruning and excessively irrigating. Also, apply mulch
over the root system, prune out dead branches, and provide good
air movement and light penetration by judicious pruning of nearby
vegetation.

So, I may wait until early spring next year to spray the affected
trees. I hate that they won't bloom tho.

Jw