Leaf spot

Bipolaris spp.

What is Leaf spot (Bipolaris spp.)?

Leaf spot, caused by Bipolaris spp., is a fungal disease affecting grasses like Hybrid Bermuda, Common Bermuda, Perennial Ryegrass, and Zoysiagrass. Thriving in warm weather with wet and dry cycles in the thatch layer, it leads to brown spots on leaves, sheaths, and stems during cool weather. In hot and humid conditions, it can cause melting-out, leading to crown and root rots. Symptoms may spread across the lawn, resulting in thinning areas. Infected leaves, sheaths, and stems show circular to elongated brownish spots with dark borders, while crowns and roots exhibit dark brown rot.

How does Leaf spot (Bipolaris spp.) occur?

During winter, the fungus survives in the crowns, roots, or debris of the grass. In cool and wet spring weather (around April to early May), the fungus becomes active. Rain or irrigation water carries its spores onto new grass leaves, causing new leaf spot infections. During late spring, more spores and leaf spot symptoms develop. If conditions are favorable, the spores reach the crowns and roots, leading to the melting-out phase by late spring or early summer. Leaf spot and melting-out fungi can infect different types of cool-season grasses during the summer.

Symptoms

1 - Impact on Plants

Leaf spot reduces photosynthesis, stunts growth, and weakens plants. It causes thinning and patchy areas in affected plants or turfgrass. The presence of brown spots and lesions impairs visual appearance. Weakened plants are more susceptible to other diseases, compromising their health and resilience.

2 - Impact on Soil Health

Infected grass blades add to organic matter buildup, affecting moisture retention, nutrient cycling, and soil health. Bipolaris spp. contributes to excessive thatch accumulation, hindering water infiltration, nutrient availability, and root growth.

Solutions

1 - Cultural practices

• Choose turfgrass varieties that are resistant to leaf spot. Prioritize planting these resistant cultivars whenever possible. • Apply moderate amounts of nitrogen fertilizer (0.5 to 1.0 lb. nitrogen/1,000 sq ft) in early spring. • Avoid excessive nitrogen applications, which can promote disease development. • Frequent mowing helps reduce the severity of leaf spot and melting-out disease. • If irrigation is necessary in summer, water deeply to thoroughly wet the soil. • This reduces the need for frequent watering and helps prevent wilting and drought stress.

2 - Chemical Control

Fungicides containing iprodione, chlorothalonil, mancozeb, fludioxonil, azoxystrobin, or penthiopyrad with different product names such as Andersons Golden Eagle DG, Eagle 20EW, Myclobutanil 20EW are typically effective against leaf spot diseases. Please refer to the fungicide labels and consult with local experts for precise instructions and suitability for your specific region and situation.

Susceptible Species

Cutleaf Fullmoon Maple

Big Leaf Maple

Mocha Rose Big Leaf Maple

Koto No Ito Japanese Maple

Variegated Japanese Angelica Tree

Pacific Madrone*

Strawberry Tree

River Birch

River Birch (clump)

Summer Cascade Weeping River Birch

Variegated Giant Dogwood

Cherokee Brave Flowering Dogwood

Cherokee Chief Flowering Dogwood

Cherokee Daybreak Flowering Dogwood

Cherokee Princess Flowering Dogwood

Cherokee Sunset Flowering Dogwood

Red Flowering Dogwood

Paul's Scarlet English Hawthorn

Leprechaun Green Ash

Patmore Green Ash

Ginkgo

Autumn Gold Ginkgo

Magyar Ginkgo

Princeton Sentry Ginkgo

Saratoga Ginkgo

Tree Form Pee Gee Hydrangea

Limelight Hydrangea (tree form)

Pink Diamond Hydrangea (tree form)

Tardiva Hydrangea (tree form)

Bay Laurel

Tuliptree

Arnold Tuliptree

Yellow Variegated Tuliptree

Fastigiatum Tuliptree

Alexandrina Saucer Magnolia

Rustica Rubra Magnolia

Black Gum

Royal Empress Tree

hardy kiwi

kiwifruit

bishop's weed

horse chestnut

leek

serviceberry

dill

snapdragon

strawberry tree

common bearberry

bearberry

black chokeberry

English daisy

European white birch

silver birch

false aster

false chamomile

false aster

butterfly bush

peacock plant

beautyberry

trumpetcreeper

parlor palm

golden-bell clematis

large-flowered tickseed

lanceleaf coreopsis

tickseed

bunchberry

flowering dogwood

mountain dogwood

red twig dogwood

Harry Lauder's walking stick

jade plant

black hawthorn

Washington hawthorn

cucumber

Sago palm

quince

Scotch broom

daphne

delphinium

candle larkspur

slender deutzia

dumb cane

Japanese shield fern

golden pothos

wallflower

California poppy

winged spindle tree

spurge

myrtle spurge

glossy-leaved paper plant

tall fescue

fescue

weeping fig

Indian rubberplant

meadowsweet

flowering ash

crown imperial

sweetscented bedstraw

wintergreen

hardy geranium

maidenhair tree

imperial honey locust

honey locust

scarlet star

Chinese witch hazel

English ivy

coral bells

bigleaf hydrangea

panicle hydrangea

candytuft

busy lizzy

yellow flag

winter jasmine

black walnut

mountain laurel

English lavender

Spanish lavender

coastal doghobble

common privet

big blue lilyturf

honeysuckle

privet honeysuckle

creeping Jenny

star magnolia

Japanese crabapple

spearmint

nandina

heavenly bamboo

oleander

Indian plum

common evening primrose

mondo grass

oregano

Russian oregano

Greek oregano

sourwood

Virginia creeper

fountain grass

oriental fountain grass

fountain grass

beardtongue

vilevine

garden phlox

New Zealand flax

oriental spruce

Japanese pieris

oriental plane tree

creeping bluegrass

Kentucky bluegrass

Jacob's ladder

soft shield fern

black poplar

American aspen

wild plum

cherry laurel

scarlet firethorn

common pear

willowleaf pear

creeping buttercup

lady palm

evergreen azalea

hybrid musk rose

shrub rose

rugosa rose

Japanese rose

red-veined dock

weeping willow

dragon's claw willow

purple willow

common sage

scarlet sage

octopus tree

rough goldenrod

white woodland aster

calico aster

michaelmas daisy

common lilac

American cranberry

cranberry

David viburnum

corn

zinnia

Bog Rosemary

Common Wild Rose

Red-Flowering Currant

Redwood Sorrel

Edward Goucher abelia

Chinese evergreen

Chocolate Chip carpet bugle

anthurium

Frikart aster

William Penn barberry

box leaf barberry

calathea

camas

canna

fishtail palm

western catalpa

garden mum

alpine clematis

spider flower

common hawthorn

Pride of Rochester deutzia

elaeagnus

pink princess escallonia

banyan

showy forsythia

garden strawberry

coastal strawberry

cascara

blanket flower

pernettya; prickly heath

salal

gazania

hybrid witch hazel

variegated Persian ivy

sunflower

heliconia

amaryllis

oceanspray

Halcyon hosta

sweet potato vine

western bog laurel

lantana

greater woodrush

charity mahonia

Oregon grape

false lily-of-the valley

European crabapple

peppermint

banana

Henryana parthenocissus

Pacific ninebark

Swedish ivy

Canada bluegrass

supina bluegrass

Portugal laurel

double weeping Higan cherry

rhododendron

azalea

Nootka rose

Mexican petunia

weeping willow

tomato

goldenrod

meadow rue

broad bean

bromeliad

yucca

Japanese pepper

FAQ

Do shade growing plants need any Sunlight?

Shade growing plants do need sunlight, although they require less than other plants. They need some direct sunlight each morning to help them photosynthesize and grow properly. Also, indirect sunlight throughout the day helps them stay healthy. Shade growing plants will benefit from the sunshine, but if they get too much or too little, then they can suffer the consequences. It's important to pay attention to the needs of your plants so that you can provide them with the proper light for optimal growth.

How often should you water indoor plants?

Indoor plants should be watered when the soil feels dry to a depth of about two inches, usually about once a week. A helpful technique to determine your plants' watering needs is to feel the soil before and after watering to get a sense of how long it takes to dry out. An important note to remember is that some plants require less water than others, and it's best to research the specific needs of your individual plants. Likewise, if your home is very dry, you might need to water more often as the lack of moisture can stress the plants and lead to problems like brown leaves and wilted stems.

Can my monstera plant get root rot?

Yes, a plant can get root rot. Root rot is a fungal disease that can be caused by over-watering, poor soil drainage, or high humidity levels in the air. Signs of root rot include yellowing leaves, wilting and stunted growth, and damaged or browning root systems. Sometimes it is difficult to detect root rot until the plant is removed from the soil, as the problems are mainly below the soil surface. Treating root rot usually involves removing the affected parts of the plant and replanting the unaffected ones.

Can I put my Monstera outside in summer?

No, you should not put your Monstera outside in summer. Monstera plants need warm, humid air to thrive, and direct sunlight can scorch their leaves. Instead, put your Monstera in a bright, sunny spot with indirect light, making sure the sun never directly hits the leaves. During the summer, keep your Monstera's soil damp and mist it occasionally to keep the leaves hydrated. At nighttime, keep the temperature around 16 - 21°C (60 - 70°F). You can definitely take your Monstera outdoors for short periods of time, just make sure to bring it back in if it starts to get too hot.

What happens if my monstera plant gets too cold?

If your monstera plant gets too cold, it will become vulnerable to pests, disease, or other damage. Cold temperatures can damage the leaves of the plant, causing them to become spotted or limp. The roots of monstera plants may also suffer in cold temperatures, leading to root rot or other diseases. Belonging to the tropical family, monsteras are used to warm environments and do not do well in cold temperatures, so it is important to ensure your plant is kept in conditions that suit their needs.

Is it possible to grow a vegetable garden in a small space?

Yes, it is possible to grow a vegetable garden in a small space. Gardening in a small space can be as simple as growing a few containerized plants in pots and raised beds, or as elaborate as vertically stacking planters, hanging pouches, and hanging baskets on a wall, railing, or fence. Regardless of the size of the space you are working with, some simple techniques such as companion planting, organic fertilizers, and water conservation can help you get the most out of your small vegetable garden.

Is peppermint herb green good for digestion?

Peppermint herb is indeed beneficial for digestion. The flavonoids in the herb support digestion by reducing inflammation in the digestive track, aiding in digestion and relieving indigestion, heartburn, and even the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome. Additionally, peppermint is naturally rich in menthol, which helps to relax the muscles of the stomach, aiding in the digestion of food. Peppermint herb can be consumed in a variety of forms, such as teas, tinctures and capsules, as well as by adding the herb to food or directly to water or tea.

Should peppermint herb green be consumed daily?

No, peppermint herb green should not be consumed daily. This is because it contains high levels of menthol, which can be toxic if taken in large doses. Additionally, consuming large amounts of peppermint herb green could interfere with the absorption of essential minerals and vitamins, potentially causing vitamin deficiencies. For these reasons, it is best to consult with a doctor before incorporating peppermint herb green into your daily diet.

Plant Species

Plant API

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Leaf spot

Bipolaris spp.

What is Leaf spot (Bipolaris spp.)?

How does Leaf spot (Bipolaris spp.) occur?

Symptoms

1 - Impact on Plants

2 - Impact on Soil Health

Solutions

1 - Cultural practices

2 - Chemical Control

Susceptible Species

Cutleaf Fullmoon Maple

Big Leaf Maple

Mocha Rose Big Leaf Maple

Koto No Ito Japanese Maple

Variegated Japanese Angelica Tree

Pacific Madrone*

Strawberry Tree

River Birch

River Birch (clump)

Summer Cascade Weeping River Birch

Variegated Giant Dogwood

Cherokee Brave Flowering Dogwood

Cherokee Chief Flowering Dogwood

Cherokee Daybreak Flowering Dogwood

Cherokee Princess Flowering Dogwood

Cherokee Sunset Flowering Dogwood

Red Flowering Dogwood

Paul's Scarlet English Hawthorn

Leprechaun Green Ash

Patmore Green Ash

Ginkgo

Autumn Gold Ginkgo

Magyar Ginkgo

Princeton Sentry Ginkgo

Saratoga Ginkgo

Tree Form Pee Gee Hydrangea

Limelight Hydrangea (tree form)

Pink Diamond Hydrangea (tree form)

Tardiva Hydrangea (tree form)

Bay Laurel

Tuliptree

Arnold Tuliptree

Yellow Variegated Tuliptree

Fastigiatum Tuliptree

Alexandrina Saucer Magnolia

Rustica Rubra Magnolia

Black Gum

Royal Empress Tree

hardy kiwi

kiwifruit

bishop's weed

horse chestnut

horse chestnut

leek

serviceberry

serviceberry

dill

snapdragon

strawberry tree

common bearberry

common bearberry

common bearberry

bearberry

black chokeberry

black chokeberry

black chokeberry

black chokeberry

black chokeberry

black chokeberry

black chokeberry

black chokeberry

black chokeberry

English daisy

English daisy

European white birch

silver birch