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Black Spots on leaves, maybe black ants to blame?
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Posted by neugem TX (My Page) on Mon, Oct 19, 09 at 23:42
| Hello All, Looking for help with my plumeria. Have not had it too long, but it is a mature plant. It started off doing well, but now is losing most of its leaves. The leaves are getting black spots all over with tiny holes in the middle of the spots in some cases. I first thought I had whiteflies, but I dont think that is the case any longer. The spots start to show up on the leaves and about a week and half later the leaves start to turn yellow and they feel really thin. They soon will krinkle up and fall off the plant. I am not really that sure what is causing this, but I think it may be little black ants. They are the only bug I have seen crawling on the leaves. I think they are maybe biting the leaves to get the sweet sap out. I think that maybe they have nested in the soil too. I have tried using soapy water, but it has had no effect. I have also just recently put ant bait traps out. I moved the plant inside hoping it would keep the ants away, but they are still there. Since moving the plants inside it has lost or is in the process of losing about 12 leaves (in just about two weeks). Not sure what to do. The root system seems to be doing fine, it has grown all over the place inside the pot. The trunk appears to be fine. I am just losing all my leaves. I am thinking I will need to just get rid of the soil and clean all the ants out and put it in some new soil. Im afraid of damaging the roots or the ants coming back. Any advice is greatly appreciated. |
Follow-Up Postings:
RE: Black Spots on leaves, maybe black ants to blame?
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| Can you please post a picture? I could be wrong. But to me, it sounds like the natural cause of death in leaves due from the shorter days, and fall weather. Think of this..
Why is this problem happening now and not in the spring or summer? This happens to all mine, starting at the end of September. Please post a pic, it would be very helpful..:-) Mike..:-) |
RE: Black Spots on leaves, maybe black ants to blame?
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| Thanks for the reply Mike! I thought that was a possibility too. We had a miserably hot summer down here in TX this year and it lost a few leaves in a similar manner then as well (not sure if that tells you anything). It has been a bit cooler the past couple of weeks. Got down into the lower 60s upper 50s at night. It would be that cool for a couple of nights and then warm up into the 70s. The plant is probably used to highs in the upper 80s and 90s with lows in the 70s to lower 80s. I say that because I am not sure if the plant will start to drop its leaves for the fall based on the temps that are normal for the climate it is in. However I did move the plant inside and it never gets cooler than 70 there. I read some forum posts on winterizing the plants and that made me think that the cooler temps are to blame. Haven't seen the the ants past couple of days. Maybe the bait worked, not sure though. How do I post a picture of the plant? I don't see anywhere to upload a picture to this post. |
RE: Black Spots on leaves, maybe black ants to blame?
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| Download pics to photobucket, then copy and paste to a post with a few changes and you will do fine.. I think there is a thread on how to do it. Beleive me, just because you live in Texas, it doesn't mean that your plumies can't sense a different in climate change and in fall...Many there cut all the leaves off soon, and then stick them away till next fall. Lucky you, since your winters are so short! :-) |
RE: Black Spots on leaves, maybe black ants to blame?
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| I am unfortunately one of the Texans that likes the cooler weather so, for me, the winters are TOO short (all two weeks of winter). I will get those pics up tonight. Thanks again. |
RE: Black Spots on leaves, maybe black ants to blame?
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RE: Black Spots on leaves, maybe black ants to blame?
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| I don't know...To me it is just normal for this time of year, if not left over marking from thrips through the summer growing season... Mine get like this every fall. Someone here will know.. If you are concerned about pest, I would post these pic on the "garden clinc" forum and you will get an answer fast. I wouldn't worry about it though, because your new growth looks great, and it seems that just the older growth is dying off, which is common this time of year.
You should see all the trees in my area with leaves falling off with zillions of black moles,spots,yellowing and so forth.. Great job on posting pics by the way..BRAVO Mike..:-) |
RE: Black Spots on leaves, maybe black ants to blame?
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| Thanks for the info Mike! I may just do what you suggested and post on the Garden Clinic just to make sure. |
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