Alphonse Karr is known for the black fungus that grows on it. I believe it is growing from the droppings of mites or aphids.

I gave up treating the Al Karr and now grow different varieties that are equally as beautiful, with yellow culms and green stripes, and that do NOT get the fungus.

The fungus can be treated with a fungicide or soapy water to kill the pests.

Here, fireants will clean the bamboo completely of the fungus, but since I spray the area to kill the ants, well...

Kt

Thanks for that Kt. Does the fungus harm the plants? it seems like it is. Soapy water it is.

The ants farm the aphids for food - they make & take food to the aphids, who in turn, provide food for the ants. If you put ant stakes around the bamboo the ants will die and the aphids to go to greener pastures. Rgds

The sooty mold/fungus does not seem to hurt the plants at all except asthetically.

It remains on my in-yard Al Karr constantly. The other multiplexes(including Al Karr) that I have out in areas not treated for ants seem to remain free from it almost completely. However, if I brush up against the plants, the fireants get all over me and let me know.

It's a trade-off between fungus-ed plants or nice plants with fireants on them...

Hello Fred.

Kt