Salvia leaves with dark and light spotting - Ask Extension
A group of salvia plants I bought from the same place are all suffering the same symptoms and it seems to be spreading to a previous salvia where they...
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Salvia leaves with dark and light spotting #865860
Asked April 25, 2024, 11:26 AM EDT
A group of salvia plants I bought from the same place are all suffering the same symptoms and it seems to be spreading to a previous salvia where they touch. The older/lower leaves seem to first show a few flat, dark spots on the bottom then the top, followed by lighter spots on the top. The leaves are narrower and feel dry where the white spots are. It is still flowering and newer growth looks narrow but normal colored. Any advice is appreciated!
Bexar County Texas
Expert Response
Rebecca,
I'm sorry for the delay in responding to your question. I suspect all our volunteers have the same problem—we've all seen this but we haven't identified the pest that causes it, and we're stumped. I've asked for additional help for you and because I'd love to know what is going on.
Can you clarify about the black spots? Are they a deposit fo some sort on the upper leaf surface, or are they spots of damaged leaf tissue?Rick Coke
I'm sorry for the delay in responding to your question. I suspect all our volunteers have the same problem—we've all seen this but we haven't identified the pest that causes it, and we're stumped. I've asked for additional help for you and because I'd love to know what is going on.
Can you clarify about the black spots? Are they a deposit fo some sort on the upper leaf surface, or are they spots of damaged leaf tissue?Rick Coke
I'm sorry but I still don't have an answer for you. A discussion with an entomologist didn't help. My salvias have so much of the damage your pictures show that for a long time I thought that was normal. Then I saw some healthy bright green ones. The damage is typical of what sucking insects do to plants. It looks a lot like red spider mite damage, but I don't find those on my plants. I'll hold your email and will let you know if I find a good explanation. I'd love to know, too!
Sorry—
Rick Coke
Sorry—
Rick Coke
