This can be a difficult pest to control and it may take m… Crepe myrtles are susceptible to several diseases and pests, including: Powdery Mildew: The most common scourge of crape myrtles is powdery mildew – particularly during hot, humid days followed by cool, dewy nights. Our disease resistantvarieties include the Natchez, Sioux, Tonto, Dynamite, Red Rocket and more. Heavy infestations of crape myrtle bark scale are easy to spot and identify. L. indica has been cultivated as an ornamental for centuries and was introduced to the southern United States over one hundred and fifty years ago. Lagerstroemia species are deciduous shrubs or trees with geographic origins in China, Japan, and other parts of southeast Asia. Pests and Diseases for Crape Myrtles. There are two forms of crape myrtles: trees and strubs. Crapemyrtle aphids are small, fragile insects around 1 ⁄ 16 inch long. This tiny insect feeds on the sap of the crape myrtle and produces a liquid called honeydew, that can often be observed dripping from crape myrtles in the spring. Crepe myrtles have a few diseases and insects they are prone to. When crushed, these scales exude pink “blood”-like liquid. Crapemyrtle. A: After looking at your photos and examining the samples of your leaves, I believe the spots are caused by a fungus called Cercospora lythracearum as it is the most common fungal leaf spot on Lagerstroemia indica (crape myrtles). Crape Myrtles are also naturally resistant to most garden variety pests. Crapemyrtle (Lagerstroemia species) has become a dominant landscape plant in North and Central Florida and throughout the South. The crepe myrtles are among the most satisfactory of plants for the South: showy summer flowers, attractive bark, and (in many cases) brilliant fall color make them year-round garden performers. Crape myrtle, also called crepe myrtle or loosestrife, is a group of roughly 50 tree and shrub cultivars in the genus Lagerstroemia. Treat with a general fungicide. Want to see more Southern Living videos? Heavy pruning, especially slashing the tops off, leads to weaker growth and flowering as well as stress, thus more insect pests and diseases. Crepe myrtles come in all different colors and heights, so find the one that's right for you. Most crepe myrtles in gardens are selections of L. indica or hybrids of that specie… As with most insects, there are several life stages and the appearance of CMBS changes with the stages. Learn more about proper pruning techniques in our article "Pruning Crapemyrtle." Adult females are felt-like white or gray encrustations that stick to crape myrtle parts ranging from small twigs to large trunks. Unfortunately, some crape myrtle cultivars are susceptible to powdery mildew. You will notice that the flower will not open to its beauty and the growth of the tree is stunned. Sooty mold alone is not a definite indication of CMBS, but if you also find white, felt-covered scales that bleed pink when punctured, you can be sure you have found crape myrtle bark scale. L. indica – Also known as the common crape myrtle, this species is the most popular among crape myrtles. The surface of an infected plant has a powder-like appearance (Fig. The crape myrtle aphid (Tinocallis kahawaluokalani) is the most common crape myrtle pest. These blotches frequently run together. CMBS might be able to overwinter in the adult female and egg life stages, and crawlers and later stage nymphs have been observed overwintering under the loose bark and in cracks and crevices of crapemyrtles in our area. They are pale yellowish-green with black spots on the abdomen. But the bottom line remains that this decorative practice of pollarding doesn't really harm crape myrtles. Mildew thrives in warm, moist conditions. The showy pink flowers have wrinkled petals like crepe paper. 17. 3), and badly infected leave… Various leaf spot fungi cause yellow, brown or black dead blotches on crape myrtle leaves. Thus, the skin health can be maintained. L. fauriei, L. subcostata and L. limii have been used in breeding programs, and cultivars of L. indica × fauri… It has very noticeable symptoms which include a white or grayish powdery coating on the leaf surface. How Crepe Myrtle is effective for various diseases is listed in repertory format. This step will save you backaches and heartaches in the future. However, like all plants, Crape Myrtles can experience an occasional insect or mildew problem. Above is a well-pruned mature crape myrtle, with lower limbs thinned and the upper and side branches cut back just a little for a more compact yet still natural effect. Crape myrtle bark scale is relatively easy to identify. Powdery mildew occurs most often on young, actively growing plant tissues (Fig. Kingwood Garden Center customer, Ronny R, stopped by to find a solution for the unsightly residue on his crepe myrtle trees, which he believed to a fungus. 4 through 6). Crapemyrtle (Crape Myrtle) Lagerstroemia indica The common crapemyrtle is a deciduous, small to medium sized shrub or small tree with a variable, moderately dense habit, often multi-stemmed form. Crape myrtle cultivars range from 18 inches to 40 feet tall and grow in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 7 through 9. Our Crape Myrtles have been bred to be Cold Hardy and Disease Resistant. Have confidence that any plants you order from us are ALWAYS disease and insect free. 2), infected shoots may dry up and shrivel, severely affected buds will drop off (Fig. These symptoms are only seen on the leaf but if the tree gets this crepe myrtle disease then the flowers and the growth of this crepe myrtle are the affected. Mildew is a fungus; the white powder you see is made up of spores. Heavy infestations of crape myrtle aphids can also cause trees to be covered with black sooty mold, but any crape myrtle that is covered with sooty mold should be carefully exa… Long, cool autumns yield the best leaf display; sudden frosts following warm, humid fall weather often freeze leaves while theyre still green, ruining the show. Most of the diseases of crepe myrtles are caused by pests. When that plant makes it’s comeback, new growth will come from the ground leaving behind seemingly dead tops. Improving air circulation within your crepe myrtle and applying chemical controls can eliminate mildew problems and restore the plant's beauty. Breeding programs over the last 30 years have produced superior forms with a wide range of plant sizes and habits; improved flowering, new flower colors, ornamental bark, ornamental foliage, and disease resistance; and increased vigor. 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