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How to treat Lilly Pillys with spots on leaves?

I bought 6 Resilience Syzygium Lilly Pillys from Bunnings and planted them in rectangular planters in our side passage.

They look pretty good, but recently I've noticed some spots in one of them, now spreading to the others. They faced those very hot days we had last month, one of them is directly affected by the hot air coming from the air conditioning, plus they are against the fence, which also irradiated heat. So, when I first noticed the spots just in one of them, I associated it with the heat. But now, it looks like it is something else. Have I overwatered them or should I spray them against fungus?

Need some advice here.

Attaching photos, too

Thank you

Rosana

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Comments

JacobZ

Hi @Rosana1,

Thank you for your question about your Lilly Pillies.

I'm fairly confident that the issue is not fungal, which is certainly a good thing.

Are the affected plants getting heavy sun during the day?

How frequently are you watering them?

Is the plant closest to the air conditioner affected differently from the others?

It looks like the leaves are experiencing sunburn, which is potentially related to the reflected heat off the Colorbond fence.

My suggestion would be to attach some shade cloth to the fence to absorb some of the heat reflecting off the fence and maintain a consistent watering schedule, checking the soil for moisture before each additional watering. Alternatively, moving them to a location away from the fence would work.

Allow me to tag @Noelle and @mich1972 to see what they think.

Jacob

Rosana1

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/50831#Comment_50831

Hi Jacob,

Thank you for your answer.

The Lilly Pillies have some sun in the morning, but not in the afternoon. What they do get is a lot of wind in that corridor.

I have been watering them once a week, usually, might have done it more when it was too hot and they were looking a bit sad. The heat from the fence might be a good point!

And as for the one near the air conditioning in rel;ation to the others, initially it was the only one with spots, but now the others are getting it, too, that's why I wondered if it was a fungus. Could it be that I watered the leaves, too and they got burned?

I will look into buying a shade cloth, thanks for the suggestion.

Regards,

Rosana

JacobZ

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/87543#Comment_87543

Hi @Rosana1,

I doubt wind would be the reason for the spots. If anything, the lilly pillies would benefit from the wind drying out any errant water droplets that could sit on the leaves and cause fungus.

Your watering schedule seems reasonable, but I would suggest you do a soil check before watering to make sure it is sufficient. Put your finger into the top of the soil, around 5-10cm deep, to check for moisture. If it is still moist, wait a day; if it is dry, water your plants deeply, then check again in 5-7 days. This will help you get in tune with what your plants require.

It would also be worth giving your plants a boost with some Seasol Complete Garden Health Treatment. This will help give them the strength to fight the issue.

I wouldn't be too worried at this point, but you should check them regularly, and if anything changes that looks concerning, please reach out so I can assist further.

Jacob

mich1972

Good afternoon @Rosana1 First of all…….. LOVE your side passage there ! Looks great 😊 To me it definitely looks like sunburn as the sun passes, that’s quite normal and they will harden off. I honestly don’t think it’s a fungal problem. Just make sure those rectangular planters have plenty of drainage holes. Also because they are against the Colorbond fence, heat will radiate off the metal and cause burning. One last thing, the aircon blowing hot air. Lilly Pilly is tough and reliable. Keep in touch if it gets worse. 🌿💚

Rosana1

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/50893#Comment_50893

Thank you, @mich1972! You are all very helpful and I am really thankful!!

Will follow your suggestions, always keeping an eye and making sure they are ok.

Kind regards,

Rosana1

mich1972

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/87571#Comment_87571

Absolutely welcome 🤗

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