Black spots getting worse and spreading through the golf ball plants

hi everyone,

my golf ball plants have been doing well for a few years with minimal and recently some of them have developed black spots and one of them is dying. What can I do? I am based in Sydney and there are lots of rain lately.
the soil is standard garden mix.
what can I do to save the plants and stop the black spots from spreading?

much thanks!!

Find more posts tagged with

Gardening

Planting and Growing

Comments

EricL

Hello @mtan5586

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community. It's wonderful to have you join us, and thank you for sharing your question about your golf ball plants.

I'm sorry to hear your golf ball hedge is not doing well. Would it be possible for you to take a closer photo of the top and bottom parts of the leaves? Can you also please include a picture of the base near the roots. This will give our members a chance to assess the condition of your hedge. The more information we have the better we can make our diagnosis. We can then make recommendations on how to help your plant recover.

Have you been putting in new garden soil mix directly onto the base of the plant or have you been spreading it around? Have you applied any fertilizer to the hedge? Are there any other plants in the vicinity that has been experiencing the same symptoms? Have you planted anything close to the hedge recently? Any other extra information you can share would be much appreciated.

We look forward to seeing the photos.

Eric

mtan5586

Thanks for your reply @EricL !
No new garden soil or fertiliser since we plant them 2-3 years ago.
There are around 20 of them and it is spreading.
it is a black film stuff, seems to come off if I try to run it.
is it sooty mould? Should I get rid of the black stuff before I apply any chemicals?

MitchellMc

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/19667#Comment_19667

Hi @mtan5586,

It sounds like you're on the money there, and this is a classic case of sooty mould. Sooty mould results from a sap-sucking insect infestation, and it feeds off their excreted honeydew. The insects will either be aphids, scale, whitefly, mealybugs and mites. You need to address the insect problem, and once you have done so, the sooty mould will dry up and flake off the leaves.

I'd suggest you thoroughly coat the plant's leaves, including under them, and the branch understructure with Eco-oil. Since this is a reasonably aggressive infestation, you might need to do a couple of oil applications two weeks apart. I'd recommend you get yourself the concentrate and a sprayer and apply the oil to the affected plants and those adjacent to them.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell

mich1972

@mtan5586 With those extra photos you posted, it looks like Sooty Mould which is caused by Scale Insects. Treatment for Scale, you can use a Insecticidal Oil like Eco Neem Oil or Pest Oil.

But also Pittosporum species can NOT tolerate wet feet, over watering, heaps of rain. They need to be growing in a really good well draining soil. Hopefully this will help you 😊

Enelramsnibbor1

I had this problem in them a couple of seasons back. Then the European Wasps were coming for the mites. Nothing seemed to help. Ended up getting the pest guy who sprayed, got rid of everything, including the wasps, which had come to graze. Saved my little shrubs. Good luck.

EricL

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/24835#Comment_24835

Hello @Enelramsnibbor1

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community. Thank you for joining the discussion.

It's good to hear that you got the scale infestation under control. Should you need a hand with a home or garden project, please let us know.

Eric

mtan5586

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/86926#Comment_86926

hi experts, what is wrong with my golf balls ? They are slowing dying out. and how can I bring them back to good health again? I do have Eco Oil. Do I need something more suitable ?

mtan5586

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/19668#Comment_19668

Thank you everyone! It was good after your suggestion and looks like I have issues with them again.. this time it looks like this

what should I do ? Much thanks !

Dave-1

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/108886#Comment_108886

Good Evening @mtan5586

Woooo my knowledge level for this one is a little out 🙂 Liquid ambers, Crepe myrtles and jacaranders yes but sadly not for golf ball pittosorum's. I would

wait for one of the others to get back online. Some of the guys are having to deal with the weather and power issues around Brisbane way so hopefully will be back later on or tomnorrow. @MitchellMc , @JacobZ

Does it appear to be individual plants dying back or are there a few plants in the area exibiting signs of stess?

Dave

mich1972

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/86926#Comment_86926

Good afternoon @mtan5586 That's a shame it's started again. You will need to cut and remove the dead affected areas. Spray again with the Eco Neem Oil , be careful and make sure to wear the appropriate safety gear.

Oh and don't spray during the heat of the day.

JacobZ

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/108886#Comment_108886

Hi @mtan5586,

Can we get some photos of the base of the affected plant?

Are there any insects or signs of insects on the plant?

@mich1972's advice is likely your best option, but it would be good to ensure there are no issues that can be transferred to the other plants.

Allow me to tag @Noelle to see what she thinks.

Let me know what you find.

Jacob

Noelle

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/121771#Comment_121771

@mtan5586

The advice from @mich1972 is the best way to go to see if that stops the spread of the dying out. I'd also check drainage - if the roots stay wet for a long period after rain, then there may be some root rot present.

mtan5586

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/108887#Comment_108887

Thank you. Will do!

mtan5586

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/121771#Comment_121771

thank everyone for your quick reply. I will use the eco Neem oil again. here are some more photos.

MitchellMc

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/129884#Comment_129884

I'd agree with the advice you have been provided @mtan5586. I suspect that there are drainage issues in the area. Check the soil a couple of days after it's last rained or you've watered it to see how damp it is. If the soil is still wet, then it suggests that drainage needs to be improved as the roots are waterlogged.

Adding drainage to the area with already established plants might be an issue. You could potentially try digging a trench between the bed and the wall and laying socked agline in there. The drainage would then need to lead out of the area to remove the water.

Mitchell

mich1972

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/135000#Comment_135000

Good morning everyone. You know I find it really interesting reading through the comments regarding soil conditions. As we live all from different States it’s amazing how different the soil conditions are. I love learning more from what you are all doing in the East Coast. I get jealous with some of the most beautiful soils you have there 🤣🤣🤣 Here in Perth it’s mainly just grey, dry , hydrophobic Bassendean Sands .

Child Item