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Morning glories are perennials with funnel-shaped, fragrant flowers that grow from a vine and come in many bright colors such as blue, pink, purple, and white. These beautiful flowers open at the first sunlight and last throughout the day. These typically hardy vines, however, can sometimes suffer problems.
Problems with morning glories can vary but may include environmental issues and fungal diseases of morning glory.
Beach morning glories, with their cheerful flowers and ability to grow in sandy soils, are a staple of coastal gardens. However, like any plant, they can fall victim to fungal diseases that impact their health and appearance If you notice spots, mildew, or wilting on your beach morning glories, it’s likely a fungus has taken hold Don’t despair – with prompt action, you can get rid of the fungus and restore the health of your beach morning glories.
Identifying Fungal Infections
The first step is identifying the type of fungus affecting your plant. Here are some common fungal diseases of beach morning glories
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Downy mildew – Causes yellow splotches on leaves and stunted growth High humidity encourages this fungus.
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Powdery mildew – Recognizable by the white powdery coating on leaves. Favored by warm, dry conditions.
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Leaf spot – Small brown or black spots that can spread, causing leaves to yellow and fall off.
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Southern blight – Wilting, stem lesions, and white fungal growth at soil line. Caused by soil-borne fungi.
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Rust – Reddish bumps on undersides of leaves that rupture into orange-brown spores.
Carefully inspect affected plants and match symptoms to diagnose the fungus. Proper identification guides your treatment approach.
Improving Air Flow
Fungi thrive in stagnant, humid conditions. Improve air circulation to make the environment less hospitable. Space plants 1-2 feet apart and prune crowded branches to open the canopy. Avoid planting in dense shade. For potted plants, rearrange pots to allow air flow.
Watering at the Base
When watering overhead, moisture lingers on leaves, promoting fungal diseases. Instead, water at the base using a soaker hose or drip irrigation. This keeps foliage dry. For potted plants, water into the soil and empty drainage trays promptly after watering.
Applying Fungicides
For stubborn fungal infections, fungicides help destroy active fungi. Use fungicides labeled for edible crops and follow all safety directions. Apply at first onset and repeat applications per label instructions until fungus is gone. Neem oil, sulfur, copper, and bacillus subtilis are common active ingredients. Cover both tops and undersides of leaves.
Pruning Affected Areas
Prune off infected leaves, stems, and spent flowers. Make cuts at least 6 inches below visible symptoms to remove all infected tissue. Disinfect shears between each cut to avoid spreading spores. Destroy all pruned material – do not compost. For downy mildew, remove entire infected stems.
Raking and Tilling Soil
For soil-borne fungi like southern blight, work organic matter into beds to reduce compaction and improve drainage. Rake away debris where fungus may persist. Disinfect garden tools after working in affected areas.
Monitoring Moisture
Excess moisture stresses plants and makes them vulnerable to fungi. Use drip irrigation and water deeply, but infrequently, allowing the top few inches of soil to dry between waterings. Add mulch to conserve moisture and reduce need for watering.
Boosting Air Circulation for Potted Plants
For container plants, create more space between pots to improve air flow. Turn plants periodically so all sides receive equal light. Stake tall plants to open up the center. Remove any sleeved pots that block air circulation.
Using Fungicidal Soil Drenches
Soil-dwelling fungi can’t be controlled with foliar sprays alone. Use fungicidal drenches per label rates to treat soil in pots and in-ground plantings. Retreat every 7-14 days until infection clears. Drenches contain active ingredients like azoxystrobin, propiconazole, or thiophanate-methyl.
Monitoring and Prevention
Keep a close watch to catch new fungal growth early when it’s easiest to control. Remove and destroy seriously infected plants to prevent spread. Clean up old flowers and foliage where fungal spores linger. Finally, provide good growing conditions to strengthen plant health. With vigilance and prompt treatment, you can get rid of fungal diseases on beach morning glories.
Morning glory vine diseases
A fungal disease called rust is another culprit of yellowing leaves. To diagnose whether your plant has rust or not, look closely at the leaves. There will be powdery pustules on the backside of the leaf. They are what cause the leaf to turn yellow or even orange. To prevent this from happening, do not overhead water your morning glory and remove any infected leaves. Canker is a disease that causes the stem of the morning glory to be sunken-in and brown. It wilts the ends of the leaves and then spreads onto the stem. It is a fungus that, if not taken care of, will affect the whole plant. If you suspect that your morning glory has this fungus, cut away the infected vine and dispose of it.
Environmental problems with morning glories
When the leaves of a morning glory turn yellow, it is usually a sign that something is not right with your plant. Insufficient sunlight can be a cause of yellowing leaves, as morning glories require full sun to flourish. To remedy this, you can transplant your morning glory to a sunnier spot in the garden or trim any plants that are blocking the sun. Another cause of yellow leaves is either under-watering or over-watering. Once your morning glory has been watered, let the soil dry before re-watering. Morning glories do well in USDA plant hardiness zones 3-10, be sure that you are in one of these zones for best results.
Q&A – How do I get rid of this morning glory so I can plant bulbs? I have sprayed and it returned.
FAQ
What is the fungus on my morning glories?
How do I get rid of Morning Glory infestation?
How to get rid of fungus on plants naturally?
How to get rid of fungus in potted plants?
How to care for Morning Glory?
If the soil in your plant’s pot is completely dry, you will need to start by moistening it so that the roots will also benefit from the water. A common mistake is to drown the Morning glory right after a dry period thinking that it needs a lot of water.
How do I get rid of Morning Glory pests?
This pest likes to do his damage at night. The best way to rid your morning glory of these pests is by using organic pest control and keeping your plant as healthy and happy as possible. Gardening tips, videos, info and more delivered right to your inbox!
How do I get rid of powdery mildew on my Morning Glories?
If your morning glories are already infected with powdery mildew, you can treat them with a fungicide specifically designed for powdery mildew control. Follow the instructions on the product label carefully to ensure effective treatment without harming the plants. Leaf spot is another common disease that affects morning glory plants.
How do I get rid of Morning Glory leaf spot?
If your morning glory plants are already infected with leaf spot, it is best to remove and destroy the affected leaves to prevent further spread of the disease. Applying a copper-based fungicide can also help control leaf spot, but make sure to read and follow the instructions on the product label for the best results.