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Japanese maple 'Red Pygmy'
Acer palmatum 'Red Pygmy'
Also known as : Palmate maple 'Red Pygmy'
The japanese maple 'Red Pygmy' is a captivating dwarf Japanese maple, boasting delicate, deeply cut wine-red leaves that create an elegant lace-like pattern. This cultivar thrives in dappled sunlight, casting a warm aura as sunlight filters through its foliage. As seasons change, its leaves offer a vivid display, transitioning from spring's rich red to autumn's fiery crimson. With a compact, upright growth habit, japanese maple 'Red Pygmy' is an alluring choice for small gardens or containers, infusing any space with a touch of oriental tranquility.
Hardiness Zones
6 to 9
Care Guide for Japanese maple 'Red Pygmy'
Feedback
Watering Care
Drought-tolerant. Allow the soil to dry completely between watering.
Know the light your plants really get.
Find the best spots for them to optimize their health, simply using your phone.
Scan QR code to download
Japanese maple 'Red Pygmy'
Sunlight
Full sun
Hardiness Zones
6 to 9
Key Facts About Japanese maple 'Red Pygmy'
Feedback
Attributes of Japanese maple 'Red Pygmy'
Lifespan
Perennial
Plant Type
Tree, Shrub
Plant Height
2 m
Spread
50 cm
Leaf Color
Red
Purple
Green
Leaf type
Deciduous
Ideal Temperature
10 - 35 ℃
Scientific Classification of Japanese maple 'Red Pygmy'
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Common Pests & Diseases About Japanese maple 'Red Pygmy'
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Common issues for Japanese maple 'Red Pygmy' based on 10 million real cases
Treat and prevent plant diseases.
AI-powered plant doctor helps you diagnose plant problems in seconds.
Scale insect
Scale insects are pests affecting Japanese maple 'Red Pygmy', causing yellowing leaves, stunted growth, and potential dieback. This infestation can diminish both health and ornamental value of the plant.
Brown spot
This infection can cause brown spots or patches to appear on the plant.
Solutions: In minor cases of brown spot, there isn’t any need to treat the disease. However, if much of the foliage is affected and defoliation occurs, the plant will benefit from getting rid of the infection. It is recommended to start by applying organic treatment options, working up to the more potent synthetic, chemical fungicides if necessary. Organic options won’t kill the fungus, but will prevent it from spreading. Dissolve ½ teaspoon of baking soda and one teaspoon of liquid soap in a gallon of water. Using a spray bottle, spray on tops and bottoms of leaves until the mixture drips off. Repeat every two weeks until existing spots stop enlarging and new spots no longer appear. Spray a copper-based fungicidal soap on the leaves, coating the top and bottom leaf surfaces. Reapply as directed on the product label. Copper penetrates the leaf surface and prevents germination of spores so the fungus cannot spread. Apply an all-purpose fungicide to the entire plant, following the label instructions carefully.
Fruit withering
Fungal infection or normal ripening can cause the fruit to dry out.
Solutions: There are a number of appropriate solutions to control fruit withering: Remove any fruit as soon as it shows any signs of infection. Do not compost. Use a fungicide prior to leaf bud and then as per manufacturers instructions throughout the season.
Black spot
Infection by the black spot pathogen causes black spots or patches to appear on leaves.
Solutions: Some steps to take to address black spot include: Prune away any infected leaves, cleaning the pruners between plants with a 10% bleach solution so that the fungus does not spread to healthy leaves. Don't compost pruned plant parts as the spores can linger in the soil for a long period of time - instead, dispose of them in the trash. Use an approved fungicide such as Trifloxystrobin, Chlorothalonil, Maneb, or Myclobutanil. Use a spreader in the fungicide spray to ensure better coverage.
Scale insect
Overview
Symptom
Causes
Treatment
Prevention
Active Period
What is Scale insect Disease on Japanese maple 'Red Pygmy'?
Scale insects are pests affecting Japanese maple 'Red Pygmy', causing yellowing leaves, stunted growth, and potential dieback. This infestation can diminish both health and ornamental value of the plant.
Symptom Analysis
Yellowing and falling leaves, sticky honeydew on surfaces with black sooty mold, and visible scale clusters on stems and undersides of leaves.
What Causes Scale insect Disease on Japanese maple 'Red Pygmy'?
Parasitic Insects
Scale insects are small, parasitic insects that suck sap from Japanese maple 'Red Pygmy', weakening the plant.
How to Treat Scale insect Disease on Japanese maple 'Red Pygmy'?
Non pesticide
Manual Removal: Scrape off scales manually or use a soft brush for gentle removal from leaves and stems.
Biological Control: Introduce natural predators like ladybugs or lacewing larvae to control scale populations.
Pesticide
Horticultural Oil: Apply horticultural oil to smother the insects and disrupt their life cycle.
Systemic Insecticides: Use systemic insecticides that Japanese maple 'Red Pygmy' absorbs, targeting the pests as they feed.
Continue reading in our app - it's better
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Scan the QR code with your phone camera to download the app
Brown spot
This infection can cause brown spots or patches to appear on the plant.
Overview
Discolored spots on the foliage of plants are one of the most common disease problems people observe. These spots are caused by fungal and bacterial diseases, with most infections related to a fungal pathogen.
Brown spot can occurs on all houseplants, flowering ornamentals, vegetable plants, and leaves of trees, bushes, and shrubs. No plants are resistant to it, and the problem is worse in warm, wet environments. It can occur at any point in the life stage as long as leaves are present.
Small brownish spots appear on the foliage and enlarge as the disease progresses. In severe cases, the plant or tree is weakened when the lesions interrupt photosynthesis or cause defoliation.
Symptom Analysis
In most cases, brown spot only affects a small percentage of the whole plant, appearing on a small amount of the leaves. A small infection only puts minor stress on the plant. However, if left untreated and the disease progresses over numerous seasons, it will severely impact the health and productivity of the infected specimen.
- Sporulation begins (reproduction of the fungal spores), and tiny spots appear on leaves.
- Placement is often random and scattered as diseases are spread through raindrops.
- May appear on lower leaves and the interior of the plant where humidity is higher.
- Brown spots enlarge and grow large enough to touch neighboring spots to form a more prominent blotch.
- Leaf margins may turn yellow.
- Tiny black dots (fruiting bodies of the fungi) appear in the dead spots.
- Blotches grow in size until the entire leaf is brown.
- The leaf falls off the plant.
Severe Symptoms
- Partial or complete premature defoliation
- Reduced growth
- Increased susceptibility to pests and other diseases
Disease Cause
Brown spot, or leaf spot, is a common descriptive term given to several diseases affecting the leaves of plants and trees. Around 85% of diseases exhibiting leaf spots are due to fungus or fungus-like organisms. Sometimes brown spot is caused by a bacterial infection, or insect activity with similar symptoms.
When conditions are warm and the leaf surfaces are wet, fungal spores being transported by wind or rain land on the surface and cling to it. They do not rupture the cell walls but grow in the space between the plant plasma membrane and the plant cell wall. As the spores reproduce, they release toxins and enzymes that cause necrotic spots (i.e., dead tissue) on the leaves, allowing the fungi to consume the products released when the cells degrade.
Continue reading in our app - it's better
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Scan the QR code with your phone camera to download the app
Fruit withering
Fungal infection or normal ripening can cause the fruit to dry out.
Overview
Fruit withering is common on many tree fruits, including apples, pears, peaches, cherries, and plums, as well as fruiting shrubs. It is caused by a fungal pathogen and will result in wrinkled and desiccated fruit.
Symptom Analysis
Here are the most common symptoms in the order that they are likely to occur.
- Both leaves and blossom on the tips of branches will go brown and wither.
- Gray powdery patches will appear on infected leaves and flowers, and this will be most apparent after rain.
- Any fruit that does appear will turn wrinkled and fail to develop.
- Branch tips begin to die, progressing back to larger branches, causing general deterioration of the tree or plant.
Disease Cause
The withering is caused by one of two fungal pathogens, one called Monilina laxa and the other called M. fructigen. The spores overwinter on infected plant material and are then spread the following spring by wind, rain, or animal vectors. The problem will start to become noticeable in mid-spring, but will increase in severity as summer progresses and the fungus grows. If not addressed, the disease will intensify and spread to other plants in the vicinity.
Continue reading in our app - it's better
A database of 400000+ plants and unlimited guides at your fingertips...
Scan the QR code with your phone camera to download the app
Black spot
Infection by the black spot pathogen causes black spots or patches to appear on leaves.
Overview
Black spot is a fungus that largely attacks leaves on a variety of ornamental plants, leaving them covered in dark spots ringed with yellow, and eventually killing them. The fungus is often simply unsightly, but if it infects the whole plant it can interfere with photosynthesis by killing too many leaves. Because of this, it is important to be aware of the best methods for preventing and treating this diseases should it occur in the garden.
Symptom Analysis
Here are a few of the most common symptoms of black spot:
- The plant has developed small black spots along the leaves.
- These spots be small, circular, and clustered together, or they may have a splotchy appearance and take up large portions of the leaves.
- The fungus may also affect plant canes, where lesions start purple and then turn black.
- The plant may suffer premature leaf drop.
Though most forms of black spot fungus pose little risk to a plant's overall health, many gardeners find them unsightly. Severe cases can also weaken a plant, so it becomes more susceptible to other pathogens and diseases.
Disease Cause
Black spot is spread by various types of fungi, which differ slightly depending on whether they are in their sexual or asexual stages.
The fungal spores linger over the winter in fallen leaves and lesions on canes. In the spring, the spores are splashed up onto the leaves, causing infection within seven hours of moisture and when temperatures range between 24 to 29 ℃ with a high relative humidity.
In just two weeks, thousands of additional spores are produced, making it easy for the disease to infect nearby healthy plants as well.
There are several factors that could make a plant more likely to suffer a black spot infection. Here are some of the most common:
- Exposure to infected plants or mulch (the fungus overwinters on dead leaves)
- Weakening from physical damage, pest infestation or other infections.
- Increased periods of wet, humid, warm weather – or exposure to overhead watering
- Plants growing too close together
Continue reading in our app - it's better
A database of 400000+ plants and unlimited guides at your fingertips...
Scan the QR code with your phone camera to download the app
More Info on Japanese Maple 'red Pygmy' Growth and Care
Feedback
Common Pests & Diseases
Scale insect
Scale insects are pests affecting Japanese maple 'Red Pygmy', causing yellowing leaves, stunted growth, and potential dieback. This infestation can diminish both health and ornamental value of the plant.
Read More
Lichen
Lichen is not a disease but a symbiotic organism comprising fungi and algae. It commonly grows on Japanese maple 'Red Pygmy' without harming it, although excessive growth may signal poor vitality or stress in the plant.
Read More
Dark spots
Dark spots on Japanese maple 'Red Pygmy' typically indicate a fungal infection, causing aesthetic degradation and potentially reduced vigor. This disease mainly affects leaves but can spread if untreated, impacting the overall health and appearance of the plant.
Read More
Mealybug
Mealybug disease impacts Japanese maple 'Red Pygmy' by sucking sap, weakening the plant, and potentially leading to sooty mold from honeydew secretion. This infestation can stunt growth and cause leaf discoloration.
Read More
Yellow edges
Yellow edges, a disease observed in Japanese maple 'Red Pygmy', leads to the discoloration of leaf margins, potentially affecting the overall health and aesthetic of the plant. The disease is commonly caused by environmental factors rather than pathogens.
Read More
Caterpillar
The 'Caterpillar' disease in Japanese maple 'Red Pygmy' is a manifestation of caterpillar infestation, leading to defoliation and potential decline in plant vigor and aesthetics. Control measures include both pesticide application and cultural practices.
Read More
Leaf beetle
Leaf beetles cause significant damage to Japanese maple 'Red Pygmy', leading to defoliation and weakened growth. These beetles primarily attack the foliage during warm seasons, impacting the plant's aesthetic and health.
Read More
Thrips
Thrips are tiny insects causing damage to Japanese maple 'Red Pygmy' by feeding on leaves and young shoots, leading to discolored and distorted foliage. These pests can significantly affect plant aesthetics and health.
Read More
Moss
Moss affects 'Japanese maple 'Red Pygmy'' by inhibiting growth and potentially leading to deterioration of health. This disease impairs the aesthetic beauty and can weaken resistance to other pathogens.
Read More
Sapsucker damage
Sapsucker damage affects the health and appearance of Japanese maple 'Red Pygmy', emphasizing cosmetic damage and potential vulnerability to infections. It occurs when sapsuckers, a type of woodpecker, drill holes into the bark to consume sap.
Read More
Dark blotch
Dark blotch is a fungal infection impacting the aesthetic and health of Japanese maple 'Red Pygmy', causing discolored, sunken spots on leaves which may lead to premature leaf drop.
Read More
Weevil
Weevil, a beetle that targets Japanese maple 'Red Pygmy', affects growth and vigor by feeding on roots and leaves. This pest can cause severe aesthetic and physiological damage, impeding Japanese maple 'Red Pygmy''s health and development.
Read More
Leafhopper
Leafhopper disease, caused primarily by pests feeding on Japanese maple 'Red Pygmy', leads to discoloration, stunted growth, and increased susceptibility to other pathogens. Effective management is crucial for maintaining the health and aesthetics of Japanese maple 'Red Pygmy'.
Read More
Leaf tip withering
Leaf tip withering is a common disease affecting Japanese maple 'Red Pygmy', marked by desiccation and discoloration of leaf tips. This condition diminishes aesthetic value and can weaken the plant if severe and untreated.
Read More
Leaf yellowing
Leaf yellowing in Japanese maple 'Red Pygmy' typically indicates a stressed or unhealthy plant. The condition diminishes aesthetic and plant vigor, potentially leading to reduced growth and susceptibility to other issues.
Read More
Spider mite
Spider mite, a pervasive pest, particularly affects 'Japanese maple 'Red Pygmy'' by weakening its growth and causing aesthetic damage. Infestation leads to speckled leaves, general decline, and can be severe if uncontrolled.
Read More
Borer
Borer diseases in 'Acer palmatoonreet' target the vascular systems, disrupting nutrient and water flow, typically leading to wilting, dieback, and potentially tree death if untreated.
Read More
Aphid
Aphids are common pests affecting Japanese maple 'Red Pygmy', causing discolored leaves, stunted growth, and secretion of sticky honeydew, which leads to sooty mold. Managing aphids promptly can prevent serious damage and maintain Japanese maple 'Red Pygmy''s aesthetic.
Read More
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About
Care Guide
More Info
Pests & Diseases
More About How-Tos
Japanese maple 'Red Pygmy'
Acer palmatum 'Red Pygmy'
Also known as: Palmate maple 'Red Pygmy'
The japanese maple 'Red Pygmy' is a captivating dwarf Japanese maple, boasting delicate, deeply cut wine-red leaves that create an elegant lace-like pattern. This cultivar thrives in dappled sunlight, casting a warm aura as sunlight filters through its foliage. As seasons change, its leaves offer a vivid display, transitioning from spring's rich red to autumn's fiery crimson. With a compact, upright growth habit, japanese maple 'Red Pygmy' is an alluring choice for small gardens or containers, infusing any space with a touch of oriental tranquility.
Hardiness Zones
6 to 9
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Care Guide for Japanese maple 'Red Pygmy'
Feedback
Watering Care
Drought-tolerant. Allow the soil to dry completely between watering.
Soil Care
Clay, Acidic, Neutral
Ideal Lighting
Full sun, Partial sun
Ideal Temperature
6 to 9
Know the light your plants really get.
Find the best spots for them to optimize their health, simply using your phone.
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Download
Key Facts About Japanese maple 'Red Pygmy'
Feedback
Attributes of Japanese maple 'Red Pygmy'
Lifespan
Perennial
Plant Type
Tree, Shrub
Plant Height
2 m
Spread
50 cm
Leaf Color
Red
Purple
Green
Leaf type
Deciduous
Ideal Temperature
10 - 35 ℃
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Scientific Classification of Japanese maple 'Red Pygmy'
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Common Pests & Diseases About Japanese maple 'Red Pygmy'
Feedback
Common issues for Japanese maple 'Red Pygmy' based on 10 million real cases
Plant disease auto-diagnose & prevention
AI-powered plant doctor helps you diagnose plant problems in seconds.
Download the App for Free
Scale insect
Scale insects are pests affecting Japanese maple 'Red Pygmy', causing yellowing leaves, stunted growth, and potential dieback. This infestation can diminish both health and ornamental value of the plant.
Learn More About the Scale insect ![more]()
Brown spot
This infection can cause brown spots or patches to appear on the plant.
Solutions: In minor cases of brown spot, there isn’t any need to treat the disease. However, if much of the foliage is affected and defoliation occurs, the plant will benefit from getting rid of the infection. It is recommended to start by applying organic treatment options, working up to the more potent synthetic, chemical fungicides if necessary. Organic options won’t kill the fungus, but will prevent it from spreading. Dissolve ½ teaspoon of baking soda and one teaspoon of liquid soap in a gallon of water. Using a spray bottle, spray on tops and bottoms of leaves until the mixture drips off. Repeat every two weeks until existing spots stop enlarging and new spots no longer appear. Spray a copper-based fungicidal soap on the leaves, coating the top and bottom leaf surfaces. Reapply as directed on the product label. Copper penetrates the leaf surface and prevents germination of spores so the fungus cannot spread. Apply an all-purpose fungicide to the entire plant, following the label instructions carefully.
Learn More About the Brown spot ![more]()
Fruit withering
Fungal infection or normal ripening can cause the fruit to dry out.
Solutions: There are a number of appropriate solutions to control fruit withering: Remove any fruit as soon as it shows any signs of infection. Do not compost. Use a fungicide prior to leaf bud and then as per manufacturers instructions throughout the season.
Learn More About the Fruit withering ![more]()
Black spot
Infection by the black spot pathogen causes black spots or patches to appear on leaves.
Solutions: Some steps to take to address black spot include: Prune away any infected leaves, cleaning the pruners between plants with a 10% bleach solution so that the fungus does not spread to healthy leaves. Don't compost pruned plant parts as the spores can linger in the soil for a long period of time - instead, dispose of them in the trash. Use an approved fungicide such as Trifloxystrobin, Chlorothalonil, Maneb, or Myclobutanil. Use a spreader in the fungicide spray to ensure better coverage.
Learn More About the Black spot ![more]()
Scale insect
Overview
Symptom
Causes
Treatment
Prevention
Active Period
What is Scale insect Disease on Japanese maple 'Red Pygmy'?
Scale insects are pests affecting Japanese maple 'Red Pygmy', causing yellowing leaves, stunted growth, and potential dieback. This infestation can diminish both health and ornamental value of the plant.
Symptom Analysis
Yellowing and falling leaves, sticky honeydew on surfaces with black sooty mold, and visible scale clusters on stems and undersides of leaves.
What Causes Scale insect Disease on Japanese maple 'Red Pygmy'?
Parasitic Insects
Scale insects are small, parasitic insects that suck sap from Japanese maple 'Red Pygmy', weakening the plant.
How to Treat Scale insect Disease on Japanese maple 'Red Pygmy'?
Non pesticide
Manual Removal: Scrape off scales manually or use a soft brush for gentle removal from leaves and stems.
Biological Control: Introduce natural predators like ladybugs or lacewing larvae to control scale populations.
Pesticide
Horticultural Oil: Apply horticultural oil to smother the insects and disrupt their life cycle.
Systemic Insecticides: Use systemic insecticides that Japanese maple 'Red Pygmy' absorbs, targeting the pests as they feed.
Continue reading in our app - it's better
A database of 400000+ plants
unlimited guides at your fingertips...
unlimited guides at your fingertips...
Brown spot
This infection can cause brown spots or patches to appear on the plant.
Overview
Discolored spots on the foliage of plants are one of the most common disease problems people observe. These spots are caused by fungal and bacterial diseases, with most infections related to a fungal pathogen.
Brown spot can occurs on all houseplants, flowering ornamentals, vegetable plants, and leaves of trees, bushes, and shrubs. No plants are resistant to it, and the problem is worse in warm, wet environments. It can occur at any point in the life stage as long as leaves are present.
Small brownish spots appear on the foliage and enlarge as the disease progresses. In severe cases, the plant or tree is weakened when the lesions interrupt photosynthesis or cause defoliation.
Symptom Analysis
In most cases, brown spot only affects a small percentage of the whole plant, appearing on a small amount of the leaves. A small infection only puts minor stress on the plant. However, if left untreated and the disease progresses over numerous seasons, it will severely impact the health and productivity of the infected specimen.
- Sporulation begins (reproduction of the fungal spores), and tiny spots appear on leaves.
- Placement is often random and scattered as diseases are spread through raindrops.
- May appear on lower leaves and the interior of the plant where humidity is higher.
- Brown spots enlarge and grow large enough to touch neighboring spots to form a more prominent blotch.
- Leaf margins may turn yellow.
- Tiny black dots (fruiting bodies of the fungi) appear in the dead spots.
- Blotches grow in size until the entire leaf is brown.
- The leaf falls off the plant.
Severe Symptoms
- Partial or complete premature defoliation
- Reduced growth
- Increased susceptibility to pests and other diseases
Disease Cause
Brown spot, or leaf spot, is a common descriptive term given to several diseases affecting the leaves of plants and trees. Around 85% of diseases exhibiting leaf spots are due to fungus or fungus-like organisms. Sometimes brown spot is caused by a bacterial infection, or insect activity with similar symptoms.
When conditions are warm and the leaf surfaces are wet, fungal spores being transported by wind or rain land on the surface and cling to it. They do not rupture the cell walls but grow in the space between the plant plasma membrane and the plant cell wall. As the spores reproduce, they release toxins and enzymes that cause necrotic spots (i.e., dead tissue) on the leaves, allowing the fungi to consume the products released when the cells degrade.
Solutions
In minor cases of brown spot, there isn’t any need to treat the disease. However, if much of the foliage is affected and defoliation occurs, the plant will benefit from getting rid of the infection. It is recommended to start by applying organic treatment options, working up to the more potent synthetic, chemical fungicides if necessary.
Organic options won’t kill the fungus, but will prevent it from spreading.
- Dissolve ½ teaspoon of baking soda and one teaspoon of liquid soap in a gallon of water. Using a spray bottle, spray on tops and bottoms of leaves until the mixture drips off. Repeat every two weeks until existing spots stop enlarging and new spots no longer appear.
- Spray a copper-based fungicidal soap on the leaves, coating the top and bottom leaf surfaces. Reapply as directed on the product label. Copper penetrates the leaf surface and prevents germination of spores so the fungus cannot spread.
- Apply an all-purpose fungicide to the entire plant, following the label instructions carefully.
Prevention
Like many other diseases, it is easier to prevent brown spot than cure it, and this is done through cultural practices.
- Clear fall leaves from the ground before winter to minimize places where fungi and bacteria can overwinter.
- Maintain good air movement between plants through proper plant spacing.
- Increase air circulation through the center of plants through pruning.
- Thoroughly clean all pruning tools after working with diseased plants.
- Never dispose of disease plant material in a compost pile.
- Avoid overhead watering to keep moisture off of the foliage.
- Keep plants healthy by providing adequate sunlight, water, and fertilizer.
Continue reading in our app - it's better
A database of 400000+ plants
unlimited guides at your fingertips...
unlimited guides at your fingertips...
Fruit withering
Fungal infection or normal ripening can cause the fruit to dry out.
Overview
Fruit withering is common on many tree fruits, including apples, pears, peaches, cherries, and plums, as well as fruiting shrubs. It is caused by a fungal pathogen and will result in wrinkled and desiccated fruit.
Symptom Analysis
Here are the most common symptoms in the order that they are likely to occur.
- Both leaves and blossom on the tips of branches will go brown and wither.
- Gray powdery patches will appear on infected leaves and flowers, and this will be most apparent after rain.
- Any fruit that does appear will turn wrinkled and fail to develop.
- Branch tips begin to die, progressing back to larger branches, causing general deterioration of the tree or plant.
Disease Cause
The withering is caused by one of two fungal pathogens, one called Monilina laxa and the other called M. fructigen. The spores overwinter on infected plant material and are then spread the following spring by wind, rain, or animal vectors. The problem will start to become noticeable in mid-spring, but will increase in severity as summer progresses and the fungus grows. If not addressed, the disease will intensify and spread to other plants in the vicinity.
Solutions
There are a number of appropriate solutions to control fruit withering:
- Remove any fruit as soon as it shows any signs of infection. Do not compost.
- Use a fungicide prior to leaf bud and then as per manufacturers instructions throughout the season.
Prevention
Preventative measures include:
- Ensuring adequate spacing between plants or trees.
- Staking plants that are prone to tumbling to prevent moisture or humidity build up.
- Prune correctly so that there is adequate air movement and remove any dead or diseased branches that may carry spores.
- Practice good plant hygiene by removing fallen material and destroying it as soon as possible.
Continue reading in our app - it's better
A database of 400000+ plants
unlimited guides at your fingertips...
unlimited guides at your fingertips...
Black spot
Infection by the black spot pathogen causes black spots or patches to appear on leaves.
Overview
Black spot is a fungus that largely attacks leaves on a variety of ornamental plants, leaving them covered in dark spots ringed with yellow, and eventually killing them. The fungus is often simply unsightly, but if it infects the whole plant it can interfere with photosynthesis by killing too many leaves. Because of this, it is important to be aware of the best methods for preventing and treating this diseases should it occur in the garden.
Symptom Analysis
Here are a few of the most common symptoms of black spot:
- The plant has developed small black spots along the leaves.
- These spots be small, circular, and clustered together, or they may have a splotchy appearance and take up large portions of the leaves.
- The fungus may also affect plant canes, where lesions start purple and then turn black.
- The plant may suffer premature leaf drop.
Though most forms of black spot fungus pose little risk to a plant's overall health, many gardeners find them unsightly. Severe cases can also weaken a plant, so it becomes more susceptible to other pathogens and diseases.
Disease Cause
Black spot is spread by various types of fungi, which differ slightly depending on whether they are in their sexual or asexual stages.
The fungal spores linger over the winter in fallen leaves and lesions on canes. In the spring, the spores are splashed up onto the leaves, causing infection within seven hours of moisture and when temperatures range between 24 to 29 ℃ with a high relative humidity.
In just two weeks, thousands of additional spores are produced, making it easy for the disease to infect nearby healthy plants as well.
There are several factors that could make a plant more likely to suffer a black spot infection. Here are some of the most common:
- Exposure to infected plants or mulch (the fungus overwinters on dead leaves)
- Weakening from physical damage, pest infestation or other infections.
- Increased periods of wet, humid, warm weather – or exposure to overhead watering
- Plants growing too close together
Solutions
Some steps to take to address black spot include:
- Prune away any infected leaves, cleaning the pruners between plants with a 10% bleach solution so that the fungus does not spread to healthy leaves.
- Don't compost pruned plant parts as the spores can linger in the soil for a long period of time - instead, dispose of them in the trash.
- Use an approved fungicide such as Trifloxystrobin, Chlorothalonil, Maneb, or Myclobutanil.
- Use a spreader in the fungicide spray to ensure better coverage.
Prevention
Here are a few tips to prevent black spot outbreaks.
- Purchase resistant varieties: Invest in fungus-resistant plant varieties to reduce the chances for black spot diseases.
- Remove infected plant debris: Fungi can overwinter in contaminated plant debris, so remove all fallen leaves from infected plants as soon as possible.
- Rake and discard fallen leaves in the fall.
- Prune regularly.
- Water carefully: Fungal diseases spread when plants stay in moist conditions and when water droplets splash contaminated soil on plant leaves. Control these factors by only watering infected plants when the top few inches of soil are dry, and by watering at soil level to reduce splashback. Adding a layer of mulch to the soil will also reduce splashing.
- Grow plants in an open, sunny locations so the foliage dries quickly.
- Follow spacing guidelines when planting and avoid natural windbreaks for good air circulation.
- Use chemical control: Regular doses of a fungicide, especially in the spring, can stop an outbreak before it begins.
Continue reading in our app - it's better
A database of 400000+ plants
unlimited guides at your fingertips...
unlimited guides at your fingertips...
More Info on Japanese Maple 'red Pygmy' Growth and Care
Common Pests & Diseases
Scale insect
Scale insects are pests affecting Japanese maple 'Red Pygmy', causing yellowing leaves, stunted growth, and potential dieback. This infestation can diminish both health and ornamental value of the plant.
Lichen
Lichen is not a disease but a symbiotic organism comprising fungi and algae. It commonly grows on Japanese maple 'Red Pygmy' without harming it, although excessive growth may signal poor vitality or stress in the plant.
Dark spots
Dark spots on Japanese maple 'Red Pygmy' typically indicate a fungal infection, causing aesthetic degradation and potentially reduced vigor. This disease mainly affects leaves but can spread if untreated, impacting the overall health and appearance of the plant.
Mealybug
Mealybug disease impacts Japanese maple 'Red Pygmy' by sucking sap, weakening the plant, and potentially leading to sooty mold from honeydew secretion. This infestation can stunt growth and cause leaf discoloration.
Yellow edges
Yellow edges, a disease observed in Japanese maple 'Red Pygmy', leads to the discoloration of leaf margins, potentially affecting the overall health and aesthetic of the plant. The disease is commonly caused by environmental factors rather than pathogens.
Caterpillar
The 'Caterpillar' disease in Japanese maple 'Red Pygmy' is a manifestation of caterpillar infestation, leading to defoliation and potential decline in plant vigor and aesthetics. Control measures include both pesticide application and cultural practices.
Leaf beetle
Leaf beetles cause significant damage to Japanese maple 'Red Pygmy', leading to defoliation and weakened growth. These beetles primarily attack the foliage during warm seasons, impacting the plant's aesthetic and health.
Thrips
Thrips are tiny insects causing damage to Japanese maple 'Red Pygmy' by feeding on leaves and young shoots, leading to discolored and distorted foliage. These pests can significantly affect plant aesthetics and health.
Moss
Moss affects 'Japanese maple 'Red Pygmy'' by inhibiting growth and potentially leading to deterioration of health. This disease impairs the aesthetic beauty and can weaken resistance to other pathogens.
Sapsucker damage
Sapsucker damage affects the health and appearance of Japanese maple 'Red Pygmy', emphasizing cosmetic damage and potential vulnerability to infections. It occurs when sapsuckers, a type of woodpecker, drill holes into the bark to consume sap.
Dark blotch
Dark blotch is a fungal infection impacting the aesthetic and health of Japanese maple 'Red Pygmy', causing discolored, sunken spots on leaves which may lead to premature leaf drop.
Weevil
Weevil, a beetle that targets Japanese maple 'Red Pygmy', affects growth and vigor by feeding on roots and leaves. This pest can cause severe aesthetic and physiological damage, impeding Japanese maple 'Red Pygmy''s health and development.
Leafhopper
Leafhopper disease, caused primarily by pests feeding on Japanese maple 'Red Pygmy', leads to discoloration, stunted growth, and increased susceptibility to other pathogens. Effective management is crucial for maintaining the health and aesthetics of Japanese maple 'Red Pygmy'.
Leaf tip withering
Leaf tip withering is a common disease affecting Japanese maple 'Red Pygmy', marked by desiccation and discoloration of leaf tips. This condition diminishes aesthetic value and can weaken the plant if severe and untreated.
Leaf yellowing
Leaf yellowing in Japanese maple 'Red Pygmy' typically indicates a stressed or unhealthy plant. The condition diminishes aesthetic and plant vigor, potentially leading to reduced growth and susceptibility to other issues.
Spider mite
Spider mite, a pervasive pest, particularly affects 'Japanese maple 'Red Pygmy'' by weakening its growth and causing aesthetic damage. Infestation leads to speckled leaves, general decline, and can be severe if uncontrolled.
Borer
Borer diseases in 'Acer palmatoonreet' target the vascular systems, disrupting nutrient and water flow, typically leading to wilting, dieback, and potentially tree death if untreated.
Aphid
Aphids are common pests affecting Japanese maple 'Red Pygmy', causing discolored leaves, stunted growth, and secretion of sticky honeydew, which leads to sooty mold. Managing aphids promptly can prevent serious damage and maintain Japanese maple 'Red Pygmy''s aesthetic.
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