!Ninebark getting white mold? And black bugs? Help! I'm a new Gardner!

10 years ago

last modified: 10 years ago

My ninebark plant/tree is getting what I only know how to describe as white mold. In addition my plants keep getting these little black bugs. Many of them in fact it's disturbing. What should I do? How can I get rid of these two problems??? Someone please advise. I am new to gardening!!! Pictures in the comments (wouldn't let me upload elsewhere)

Featured Answer

kimmq

10 years ago

Dispatch those little black bugs with a sharp spray of water and if they return or if more appear repeat.

The white material on the leaves may be Powdery Mildew, a common summer problem on many plants. Is it a powdery dust that wipes off easily? There are several methods of eliminating that, a 50/50 mix of fat free milk and water, a teaspoon of baking soda mixed in 1 quart of water, many Neem Oil products. Rinsing the leaves is a good idea before applying any of the sprays to control PM. Perhaps this article may be of some help.

http://organicgardening.about.com/od/diseases/p/PowderyMildew.htm

kimmq is kimmsr

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Comments (8)

Vero Santos
Original Author
10 years ago
Vero Santos
Original Author
10 years ago
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Vero Santos
Original Author
10 years ago
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
10 years ago
some seasons it a losing battle to control PM ... its not really going to kill a plant .. but you arent going to be spending a lot of time gazing at its beauty.. lol ...

i am njot sure one of those white blobs wasnt wooly aphids ...

https://www.google.com/search?q=downy+aphids&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiEurqb2ubNAhUMET4KHR2zAeAQ_AUICCgB&biw=902&bih=745&dpr=0.9#tbm=isch&q=wolly++aphids

how old it the 9bark.. when planted ... can we see the whole ... all kinds of things attack stressed plants ... and often ... if you dont address the stress.. it really doenst amtter if you remove all the secondary issues ... e.g. if this is a recent planting.. and watering it improper ... then you better fix that first ...

i can tell by your manicure.. your a new gardener.. lol ...

just try to remember.. not everything has to be fixed in the garden,.. this isnt no disney movie ... we only go to those lengths.. when the plant is being significantly damaged ... and a little PM is not signif.. in my world .. and bug populations ebb and flow over the years ...

ken
Vero Santos thanked ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
10 years ago
The white is powdery mildew, a very common affliction of ninebarks. As noted, you can spray for it but any spraying is only prophylactic - it won't cure or remove what's already present but you can keep it from infecting clean or new foliage. And the black insects are aphids, again a very common garden insect problem. Heavy aphid problems are often associated with the lush growth that comes from over fertilization or the overuse of insecticides that kill off the beneficials but they can also 'just appear' as well :-)

You might want to consider treating the plant with Neem oil. This is an organic product that addresses the insects as well as having fungicidal properties that will help to control the powdery mildew.
Vero Santos thanked gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
rhizo_1 (North AL) zone 7
10 years ago
Now that you've been informed about your plant, you need to know that Ninebark is very susceptible to these problems, especially the powdery mildew. It is on my list of plants that I will never bring into my gardens, no matter how attractive.
Vero Santos thanked rhizo_1 (North AL) zone 7
Vero Santos
Original Author
10 years ago
Thank you everyone! I will get on this right away with your suggestions. Wish me luck!