What might cause this problem on my Baptisia, False Indigo? - Ask Extension
This False Indigo’s leaves began turning this gray green color a couple of weeks ago. By yesterday the leaves were falling, and the plant looks lik...
Knowledgebase
What might cause this problem on my Baptisia, False Indigo? #876121
Asked July 06, 2024, 3:13 PM EDT
This False Indigo’s leaves began turning this gray green color a couple of weeks ago. By yesterday the leaves were falling, and the plant looks like it’s either dying or going dormant. It is planted between the walkway and the front porch, gets full sun in the morning, shade by 3 pm. This same thing happened last year, but later in the summer. Now the plant on the other side of the entrance to the porch is starting to have the same problem. Other Baptisias across the front of the house seem fine. Any suggestions about what be happening and what we can do about it?
Anne Arundel County Maryland
Expert Response
Most of our landscape plants are being heavily stressed by very hot, dry conditions right now. Your Baptisia my have even more heat stress (and less root area) in that location.
Have they had any supplemental water this season?
We would guess that there may be a high mite outbreak
(tiny sucking insects) on the plants, which can build up quickly under these conditions.
Powdery mildew can also discolor leaves and would be active now as well.
Here is our page on Mites to tell you more:
https://extension.umd.edu/resource/spider-mites-flowers-and-groundcovers/
The plant will likely drop those leaves if there is no green tissue left. You could try pruning them back but we are not sure if they will push out new leaves this season.
Christine
Have they had any supplemental water this season?
We would guess that there may be a high mite outbreak
(tiny sucking insects) on the plants, which can build up quickly under these conditions.
Powdery mildew can also discolor leaves and would be active now as well.
Here is our page on Mites to tell you more:
https://extension.umd.edu/resource/spider-mites-flowers-and-groundcovers/
The plant will likely drop those leaves if there is no green tissue left. You could try pruning them back but we are not sure if they will push out new leaves this season.
Christine
Thank you, Christine. After I sent my question, I found the mites as you described, complete with webbing, on a plant that wasn’t as badly damaged. We cut down all of the plants and will keep a closer eye on them next year. I especially appreciate your reference to the predator mites! Thank you so much!
Sandee
You're welcome!
