Crape myrtle - powdery mildew? - Ask Extension
Good morning!
This crape myrtle has a powdery white distance on the tips of the majority of its branches. Shine of the leaves look a little withered...
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Crape myrtle - powdery mildew? #874741
Asked June 26, 2024, 8:17 AM EDT
Good morning!
This crape myrtle has a powdery white distance on the tips of the majority of its branches. Shine of the leaves look a little withered as well.
The rest of the leaves and the myrtle itself seem to be happy and thriving.
I was wondering if this is powdery mildew or if you think it may be something else.
Either way, once you give your evaluation of what it is, would you prescribe a course of action (if any)
Thank you!
Jonathan
Carroll County Maryland
Expert Response
Hello Jonathan,
Yes, this does indeed look like classic powdery mildew symptoms, a very common but minor disease for Crapemyrtle. Nothing has to be done to intervene, since it won't cause serious harm to the plant (though it might hamper some flowering a bit). That said, if you prefer, you can trim off the mildew-heavy branch tips, as the plant will regrow, though this might delay some flowering if it also removes buds.
Use of a fungicide is not generally recommended, both because it will take several repeat applications to maintain suppression of fungus spread, it cannot cure existing disease, and because fungicides may risk harming other organisms, including pollinators visiting the flowers. (Granted, Crapemyrtle does not support many pollinators over all, but the blooms are still visited by insects.)
Miri
Yes, this does indeed look like classic powdery mildew symptoms, a very common but minor disease for Crapemyrtle. Nothing has to be done to intervene, since it won't cause serious harm to the plant (though it might hamper some flowering a bit). That said, if you prefer, you can trim off the mildew-heavy branch tips, as the plant will regrow, though this might delay some flowering if it also removes buds.
Use of a fungicide is not generally recommended, both because it will take several repeat applications to maintain suppression of fungus spread, it cannot cure existing disease, and because fungicides may risk harming other organisms, including pollinators visiting the flowers. (Granted, Crapemyrtle does not support many pollinators over all, but the blooms are still visited by insects.)
Miri
