We have a (previously neglected) Camellia in the garden, which a black/grey
soot-like residue on some of the leaves and a few buds. Is it likely to be a
fungus? Treatment?

It's possible that the plant could have been splashed while cleaning out
gutters but the 'soot' doesn't wash off easily

thanks in advance

John

"John Martin" wrote in message
...
We have a (previously neglected) Camellia in the garden, which a
black/grey
soot-like residue on some of the leaves and a few buds. Is it likely to be
a
fungus? Treatment?

It's possible that the plant could have been splashed while cleaning out
gutters but the 'soot' doesn't wash off easily

thanks in advance

John
It's growing in the shade of a Sycamore? The mould is growing on honeydew
secreted by aphids on the overhanging trees. Not in itself all that harmful
but disfiguring and if very bad it obviously inhibits photosynthesis. Not
much to do except get rid of the overhanging growth or move the Camellia if
it's still small enough.

Rod

When I had this it was woolly aphids. Any sign of them in white 'wool'? If
so crush them between your fingers

John Martin wrote:
: We have a (previously neglected) Camellia in the garden, which a
: black/grey soot-like residue on some of the leaves and a few buds. Is
: it likely to be a fungus? Treatment?
:
: It's possible that the plant could have been splashed while cleaning
: out gutters but the 'soot' doesn't wash off easily
:
: thanks in advance
:
: John

They've just had the answer on gardening question time, it's aphids that
leave the honeydew residue which attracts sooty mould. Check under your
leaves


John Martin wrote:
: We have a (previously neglected) Camellia in the garden, which a
: black/grey soot-like residue on some of the leaves and a few buds. Is
: it likely to be a fungus? Treatment?
:
: It's possible that the plant could have been splashed while cleaning
: out gutters but the 'soot' doesn't wash off easily
:
: thanks in advance
:
: John

"John wrote in message
We have a (previously neglected) Camellia in the garden, which a
black/grey
soot-like residue on some of the leaves and a few buds. Is it likely to be
a
fungus? Treatment?

Sooty Mould growing on the secretions from sap sucking insects.
Camellias do suffer from scale insects (as do Acers) so check the leaves and
thin stems above the blackened leaves and see if that is the cause. They
look like 1cm oval brown scales which will come off if pushed.
When breeding they go woolly and can then be confused with Woolly Aphids
although you can still see the scale if you look.
If it's only a smallish plant you can use a high pressure spray of ordinary
water with a touch of detergent to dislodge them, they can't crawl back once
adult. Keep the sprayer well pumped up. You will get wet though! :-)
I do this for our Citrus which are also prone to them.
Otherwise, there are proprietary sprays available.
--
Bob

www.pooleygreengrowers.org.uk/ about an Allotment site in
Runnymede fighting for it's existence.