Cure for anthracnose disease? Or is it useless?
Answers:
Anthracnose, often called leaf, shoot, bud or twig blight is actually a group of diseases resulting from fungi including Crypocline, Discula, Glomerella, and Gnomonia species. The pathogens infect trees and shrubs throughout the US.
THE DAMAGE. Damage is commonly limited to conspicuous spots or irregular dead areas on leaves and twigs which may cause foliage to become distorted and drop prematurely. it does not harm plants unless defoliation occur es repeatedly or branch die back or cankering is extensive.
twigs and branches can die on more susceptible hosts, including some species of ash, elm, oak, and sycamore.
cankers-dead areasthat may or may not be surrounded by callus tissue can form on twigs or small branches causing them to become girdled and die.
IDENTIFICATION AND BIOLOGY. Small tan, brown, black or tarlike spots appear on infected leaves of some hosts including oak or walnut.
MANAGEMENT. In areas where prolonged spring rains or foggy conditions are common avoid planting especially susceptible species including Modesto ash, California sycamore and American sycamore.
THE CURE. Call the univ of Calif coop extension office and ask for UC leaflet 2616. it will give you detailed instructions on how to cure your problem as well as to prevent it from coming back again.
Other answers:
It depends on what type of tree/plant the anthracnose has infected. According to my "Bible" -- Sunset Western Garden Book, the fungus seldom kills a plant, but it's very unsightly and can cause stress for the plant.
The spores that cause it are mostly spread by rain as well as by garden sprinkling. Good air circulation around plants is important to keep it from spreading as well, so try not to allow any healthy plants to touch the anthracnose-infected ones. And don't use any infected leaves in mulch!
Sycamores and planetrees seem to get it (to some degree) just about every year here in the Santa Clara Valley. However, it never affects ALL the leaves, plus if enough leaves are infected, the tree generally makes up for those that wither and drop by producing a new flush of leaves. (That's an example of how the disease is "stressful" for a tree, but adult trees that are otherwise healthy usually tolerate it).
Again according to Sunset, you can try to prevent anthracnose's return by using fungicides that contain lime sulfur, copper, or chlorothalonil. However, it's best to get some professional advice on this, because each chemical has slightly different attributes, and different times of year that they are best used.
It depends on what type of tree/plant the anthracnose has infected. According to my "Bible" -- Sunset Western Garden Book, the fungus seldom kills a plant, but it's very unsightly and can cause stress for the plant.
The spores that cause it are mostly spread by rain as well as by garden sprinkling. Good air circulation around plants is important to keep it from spreading as well, so try not to allow any healthy plants to touch the anthracnose-infected ones. And don't use any infected leaves in mulch!
Sycamores and planetrees seem to get it (to some degree) just about every year here in the Santa Clara Valley. However, it never affects ALL the leaves, plus if enough leaves are infected, the tree generally makes up for those that wither and drop by producing a new flush of leaves. (That's an example of how the disease is "stressful" for a tree, but adult trees that are otherwise healthy usually tolerate it).
Again according to Sunset, you can try to prevent anthracnose's return by using fungicides that contain lime sulfur, copper, or chlorothalonil. However, it's best to get some professional advice on this, because each chemical has slightly different attributes, and different times of year that they are best used.
OMG ... You've got what????