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Plant contamination / misuse #871913

Asked June 06, 2024, 2:36 PM EDT

We had some plants that are dying, wilting and curling after being treated for bugs. This was treated on May 23rd. The applicator said he used Lesco Cross Check Plus Multi Insecticide. We started noticing the plants wilting, curling and dying within days. Some started to die even later. My question is what do do with these plants? Do I cut them back? If so, how far? Do I water them extra? Do I fertilize them extensively? If so, what do I use? Plants affected : Joe pie weed, hostas, smoke bush, yellow tree dogwood, hydraengas, Spyria and more MN Dept of Agriculture came out today and will be testing for any cross contamination or what it is that was actually used.

Scott County Minnesota

Expert Response

Thank you for reaching out to ask2.extension.

I'm so sorry this happened to you.  I would definitely be contacting the company that treated your yard.

 I think I'd just keep an eye on them and be sure the don't go dry.  I'd hold off fertilizing for now.  They are in shock and hopefully pull through.  Once they begin to regrow you can trim off what has died.  At the point you see be growth you could fertilize.  

It will take some time.  But call the company that sprayed.  They should be responsible.

Deb Kroon Replied June 08, 2024, 11:02 AM EDT
Hello, 

Attached are the findings from Mn Dept of Ag. Hopefully this helps. 

With this information, what are your recommendations for what we do?  The rain seems to have helped. Do you have a fertilizer recommendation as I do see some growth on some of the plants. Some look alot better. Some... look worse. 

Do you have anyone that can come out and assess the damage to give us recommendations? (there are a few houses and areas, not just mine). But we do have specific plants we are wondering about - irises, hydrangeas, lilacs, hostas, smoke bush...  

Also, will our plants come back and be normal next year? Or does it depend on the plant?

Thank you so much for your assistance. 

| kelsey berquam | 612.499.0690 | kelseyberquam.norwex.biz | www.thegteam.com |



On Sat, Jun 8, 2024 at 10:03 AM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
The Question Asker Replied July 09, 2024, 6:18 PM EDT

I think that with time and a little tlc, they should pull through.  I couldn’t get your attachments open.  You could try you county’s extension office to see if there is someone who can come out.

As far as fertilizer, my recommendation would be to wait.  I’d wait until next spring to fertilize.  I can’t recommend anything specific because I’m a volunteer.  Maybe your extension office can do that for you.  
 
From your pictures I would say the plants will come back next year just fine.  Just keep an eye on them, especially when it quits raining and gets hot.  You may have to water them more than a normal year.

I would recommend keeping an eye on them until they go dormant for winter.

Deb Kroon Replied July 10, 2024, 8:02 PM EDT
Hello, 

We have called. Thanks for the suggestions. 

But in the meantime ... here is what was in the attachment. 

After seeing this, do you have any different recommendations for cutting back , fertilizer or what the future holds for our poor plants. 
Are all plants treated the same or does it matter what the plant is?! 

In the email : 

2,4-D - 6.72 mg/kg (semi quantitation) 

Dicamba - 0.221 mg/kg 

Sulfentrazone - 0.0604 mg/kg 

Triclopyr - 2.24 mg/kg 


Enclosed is the Residue Final Report for the vegetation sample the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA)

obtained on June 06, 2024. Each sample has its own result.


Sample results may be listed in mg/kg (part per million), ug/kg (part per billion), ng/l (part per trillion), or ND

(no detect at any of the detection limit or the method reporting limit (MRL) dependent upon the type of sample

obtained. 1 ppm = 1,000 ppb = 1,000,000 ppt.


The MDA uses this data to determine if there are residues of pesticide in/on porous materials like clothing/furniture;

non-porous surfaces like exterior siding or windows; vegetation; food/feed; soil, water, or bees. For food/feed, the US

EPA sets tolerances for pesticide allowed in or on the commodity.


The National Pesticide Information Center (NPIC) works with citizens to enable people to make informed decisions

depending on these results. It is a collaboration between Oregon State University and the United States

Environmental Protection Agency to provide objective, science-based information about pesticides, the recognition

and management of pesticide poisonings, toxicology, and environmental chemistry. You may contact them toll free 1-

<personal data hidden>





| kelsey berquam | 612.499.0690 | kelseyberquam.norwex.biz | www.thegteam.com |



On Wed, Jul 10, 2024 at 7:02 PM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
The Question Asker Replied July 11, 2024, 7:51 PM EDT

Looks like they definitely got hit with an herbicide.  I still would not treat the right now.  The plants have been shocked and may not respond to a fertilizer well.  You can cut off the affected parts, cutting them back to a leaf node or a junction.  Keep them watered and maybe by then end of July if the plant is still looking good, give it a shot of fertilizer.  I’d use a general fertilizer unless your plant is an acid loving plant.  You can check out each plant and get specific fertilizers if you want, but a general should be ok.  Don’t fertilize after mid-August because the plants need time to settle in for winter and fertilizer will keep them growing.

Then next spring, give them a new dose of fertilizer to get them growing strong. 

I hope this will help ease your mind.  You may end up losing some of them.  Unfortunately if they are too far damaged, they may not be saved.

I wish you the best!

Deb Kroon Replied July 14, 2024, 8:49 PM EDT

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