Rust on leaves? - Ask Extension
My native Oceanspray has a lot of leaves that look like this. What is it and should I do something about it?
Knowledgebase
Rust on leaves? #661572
Asked July 08, 2020, 3:56 PM EDT
My native Oceanspray has a lot of leaves that look like this. What is it and should I do something about it?
Clackamas County Oregon
Expert Response
Thank you for your question. There are several diseases, both bacterial and fungus disease, which infect this species, described here: https://pnwhandbooks.org/plantdisease/host-disease/ocean-spray-holodiscus-sp-leaf-spots
As you can read, there are no cures. The best you can do is to remove and destroy affected leaves, and keep leaves dry insofar as possible, so as not to create ‘Petri dishes.’ Good luck!
Thank you for your response. I guess it is going to take "luck" as I never water overhead, the plant is in a open space with lots of circulation, and no debris under it. If I pluck all the spotted leaves off it's going to be naked.
It isn’t your watering that is the problem. It’s clouds. Since these pathogens are airborne, they blow onto wet leaves, which become little Petri dishes. Be patient and hope for ‘normal’ weather next year.
