With all the rain we have had the Indian Hawthorn, Raphs or
Raphiolepis have been really suffering. Raphs have been plagued with leaf spot
for years; however, this wet year has taken its toll on them. It seems like right after the Red Tips
(Photinia) were virtually wiped out by Entomosporium leaf spot, the diseased
began attacking the Indian Hawthorn.
Indian Hawthorn and Red Tips are in the same plant family as roses
(Rosaceae).
When dealing with a plant that is very susceptible to a leaf
spot disease I like to think of several different factors:
1. Is
this plant worth keeping in the landscape or should I replace it with another
plant that is not susceptible to disease.
2. Is
this plant worth spraying ever 14 – 28 days to keep it in my landscape? To keep an Indian Hawthorn alive, it needs a
life-support system. The plant must be
sprayed at least monthly or it will get leaf spot again.
3. What
cultural practices can I do to help relieve the pressure of the disease? The removal of fallen foliage (sanitation) is
key when dealing with a leaf spot disease.
Having a healthy soil, as determined by a soil test, is also very
important because a stressed plant is more susceptible to disease. Providing the correct amount of water
preferably through a drip system, so the plants are not over-watered or drought
stressed. Proper fertility as determined
by the soil test is also important. Use
nitrogen fertilizer very sparingly in small amounts because flushes of new
growth are more susceptible to leaf spot.
Choose “resistant” varieties such as “Olivia”. This does not mean that this plant will
never get this disease; it is just more resistant to the disease. Mulch like
Cotton Burr Compost will help prevent splashes of water drops that could spread
the disease. Also this mulch will lower
the watering needs of the plants. Bioscience products like KeyPlex should be
considered. KeyPlex will thicken the cuticle of the leaf making more resistant
to the disease as well as more drought resistant. Pruning for good air
movement.
4. What
control products will work best on this disease? If you decide to spray, be prepared to spray
often. Honor Guard, Banner, Dithane
(Mancozeb), and Kocide are good choices. These products should be used in
rotation and according to label. I like the lime-sulfur idea or lime-copper
spray for the reason that the original Lamson–Scribner invented this product in
an effort to save the French wine crop in the late 1800’s. He called it
Bordeaux mix (unfortunately Bordeaux mix is not available anymore). When
spraying these chemicals, an appropriate surfactant should be used. Certain
surfactants work better than others with particular products.
I’m in yards all the time and this
disease is the most common disease I see in our Lowcountry landscape. I usually
recommend replanting the area. I can understand spraying roses all the time.
Indian Hawthorn – ah, not so much.
It is time to get your preemergent
products out before your winter annual weeds start to germinate. With all the
rain, Annual Bluegrass (aka Poa, Poa Annua, that pain in the “grass” grassy
weed with the white seed head) should germinate early and often! Prevention, being pro-active, and
protection is the best way to deal with winter weeds.
Always read, understand and follow product label. The
product label is a Federal Law.
