Fungal problem Aquilegia?

dsbirdwell

11 years ago

Have what I believe is a fungal problem, wondering if someone could identify and suggest options for dealing with it.

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rhizo_1 (North AL) zone 7

11 years ago

last modified: 11 years ago

I'm another who's thinking of leaf miners, in particular the blotch leaf miner. When you hold an affected leaf up to the light, can you sort of see through it?

Please click HERE to see what I'm talking about. Columbines are quite susceptible, as Arlene mentioned.

Edited to add that mosiac virus is a VIRUS and that there is no cure. Fungicides are useless. Viruses are spread from plant to plant by piercing/sucking insects...leaf hoppers are a primary vector, but not the only one. Preventing plant viruses requires insect control. That and removing the entire plant.

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Comments (8)

arlene_82 (zone 6 OH)
11 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
Hopefully some more knowledgeable folks will chime in, but could it possibly be leaf miner damage? Not a fungus, but caused by insect larvae and generally not very harmful to the plant. Columbine is notorious for getting it.
dsbirdwell thanked arlene_82 (zone 6 OH)
docmom_gw
11 years ago
My yard is full of Saw Fly larvae that decimate my columbines, but I've not seen any leaves like those. I would suspect fungus also, except I haven't heard that columbine are particularly susceptible to such. How many plants have the kind of leaves you showed in your picture?

Martha
dsbirdwell thanked docmom_gw
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dowlinggram
11 years ago
it looks like mosaic virus. Columbines are susceptible to it. To me if it were insect larvae it would show as tunnels throughout the leaf.

Look for a fungicide for mosaic virus. It would be a good idea to pick off and dispose--in the garbage--any infected leaves. Clean up any debris around the plant and dispose of it the same way. Water spreads fungus infections by splashing from infected leaves to other leaves carrying the spores with it so when you water water the ground not the plant
dsbirdwell thanked dowlinggram
cecily
11 years ago
After my columbines bloom, I cut off all the old, ratty foliage. They regrow nicely and look good for late summer/fall.
dsbirdwell thanked cecily
katob Z6ish, NE Pa
11 years ago
I'm going to agree with Arlene, definitely leaf miner damage. You can probably pull the leaf apart and find the small worm. If it bothers you do as Cecily said and trim off all the leaves, they'll sprout back fine. I did some of mine just last weekend.
dsbirdwell thanked katob Z6ish, NE Pa
dsbirdwell
Original Author
11 years ago
Thanks all for your responses and advice. On closer inspection I would tend to agree with leaf miner damage as well...I had a slight problem with it last year and looking back at pictures of my columbines it looks more like the classic squiggly line leaf miner patterns. Have trimmed off the affected foliage and removed it, may just let it finish flowering and trim the whole thing to the ground. Was so happy when it came back so strong this year and now devastation lol...oh well, it did flower beautifully
rhizo_1 (North AL) zone 7
11 years ago
dsbirdwell, you might consider applications of neem oil, beginning early in the season. Neem won't kill the insects, but is very helpful in preventing them from laying their eggs in the first place. Neem is also an anti-feedant.

Be sure to read and follow the instructions when using neem oil, or any product.
dsbirdwell thanked rhizo_1 (North AL) zone 7