Holly Bush Disease

[Kenna]

My Holly Bush leaves are black on the top and have white powder on the bottom. What can I do to correct this problem. The new shoots were o.k. My other holly bushes are fine.

[Ron B]

Scale? The black would be sooty mold growing on their secretions dripping from above.

[martinpribble]

yes I'd say scale. We have a large holly out back which suffers badly from sooty mould brought on by scale. The problem here is 3-fold:

1. Scale feeds on the sap of the plant.
2. Sooty mould grows on the excreta of the scale.
3. Ants feed on the mould and the excreta of the scale, and in return protect the scale from predators.

Look here for solution: Sooty Mould Management

[levilyla]

Try spraying with Horticultural oil.

[Kenna]

Thanks for the information. I will try it.

[Kenna]

Thanks for the info.