Serissa Black Fungus?

BonsaiGreenhorn

Unfortunetly I do not have a picture currently.

I was wondering if anyone has seen black fungus looking stuff on a serissa or any other plant i guess. My girl friend got her bonsai about a month and a half ago and it had some on it when we first got it, then a little more now. It seems to be taking over some branches here and there. I would like to get rid of it before it can go further, I dont think its good for the bonsai. Any help would be greatful.

Ill try to get a picture of it soon.
-Evan

__________________

Advertisement

ALDEVAUX

This could be caused by what is called sooty mold.
It is caused by several fungi that grow on honeydew, a sugar excretion of aphids, scale, mealybugs and other insects. It appears as a dark brown or black coating or spots on leaves, stems and other plant parts.
However, sooty mold does not attack the plant directly. It grows on the honeydew produced by insects that are feeding on the plant.The fungal coating can block light absorption by the leaf and limit photosynthesis. In severe cases, leaves may turn yellow and drop.
The most effective way to control sooty mold is to control the insects producing honeydew. An application of insecticidal soap will help to control these insects and also wash off some of the sooty mold fungus.
If there no insects, it could also be due to excessive moisture on the plant.
Here are the description of this trouble:
http://www.heyne.com.au/gardencentr...us+Diseases.htm
http://plantpathology.tamu.edu/Texlab/multi6.html

BonsaiGreenhorn

This may sound dumb, but where can I find the "insecticisal soap" and do I mix it with water and spray in the soil or the sooty mold?

Im almost positive its sooty mold, the description fits it
Thanks for the Help!
-Evan

__________________

ALDEVAUX

I am glad if I was able to help you. In my area, insecticidal soaps can be found anyware where pesticides are sold for household perposes. A nursery or a hardware store may also sell it. It can be bought in a prepared form in a spray bottle or in a concentrate form where you have to add water as by the instructions. Spray all over the plant especially in the underside off the leaves. Keep on spraying once a week for a few weeks to make sure you have killed everything. Best of luck.