ID needed please!

[RobRainford]

Ive been asked about this disease that is on this shrub for a customer, im unsure of the species, she said it was a Flame of the Forest, a Pieris 'Forest Flame'

 

She noticed it had a black deposit on almost all of the leaves late last year, and some of the newly emerging foliage has started to get it aswell.

 

Thanks a lot

[Graham]

It looks chlorotic...maybe lime-induced with a sooty mould too.

[Ian Flatters]

Looks like sooty mould, get some water and see if you can rub it off.

[RobRainford]

it is just like a sort of sooty mould, its dry on the leaves and will come off with a rub of your finger

 

what would cause it? excessivly alkaline soil?

[Graham]

it is just like a sort of sooty mould, its dry on the leaves and will come off with a rub of your finger

 

what would cause it? excessivly alkaline soil?

 

They need shade and a slightly acidic soil. Can also suffer from phytophora.

[Tony Croft aka hamadryad]

stck it in shade, bit of sequestered iron and it will be paerking up in no time

[RobRainford]

Pardon my ignorance but sequestered iron?

 

It's in a back garden and it gets reasonable sunlight but I'll tell the lady to find something for shade.

 

Is it a virus of some kind or just a mould? Or are they the same thing?

[Bundle 2]

You ever heard of Google mate....?

[RobRainford]

You ever heard of Google mate....?

 

 

yeah but arbtalk gives me answers on what i ask for, google finds a lot, although i do know how to find what i need, its late and im tired. Plus theres trees here!

[nepia]

If the soil type and/or aspect are likely to be the problem it may be worth moving the shrub now; cut it back quite hard and plant it with ericaceous compost mixed into the soil. More of the same added around the base each spring should see it right.