So I noticed black spots on the leaves of one of my chinese elms last week, and didn't think much of it. In purusing these forums, I realized that I could have a serious problem on my hands.
I've seen the following recommendations for anti-fungals: Daconil, Mancozeb, Ortho Garden Disease Control, Benlate (Benomyl) and Captan. Are these readily available at places like Home Depot? I work late so that's the only store that's typically open when I get home, and would rather start the treatment immediately.
Also, for those of you that own chinese elms, do you keep your elms under a covered shelf or other stand? I have mine in a rack, but the roof of the rack has slats in the top, so the elms under the roof get wet from rains. I'm thinking that maybe I should cover the gaps in the slats such that the elms would only get wet from me watering them? If I used antifungal sprays in the future, would that be enough to avoid black spot? Maybe the solution is to just build a bonsai shelf that has a solid roof at the top so I avoid these problems in the future.
Luckily I bought the elm for only $10, but I recently purchased nicer stock at the National Arboretum last weekend and want to be more careful going forward. I am kicking myself for not being more diligent in looking up the problem
Thanks very much in advance.