Passionvine Hoppers
Passionvine hoppers suck the sap (and the vigour) out of your plants. You'll usually see them on the tips of stems and leaves. Here's how to identify and control them in your garden.
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Septoria spp.
What is Septoria Leaf Spot?
The name describes a widespread range of fungal diseases caused by species from the Septoria genus. Septoria is most common in humid conditions with prolonged wet weather.
The species of Septoria commonly found in home gardens are host specific, so Septoria lycopersici only affects tomatoes, Septoria passiflorae attacks passionfruit, while Septoria apiicola prefers celery. The fungal spores are spread by water splashes and insects.
General Symptoms
Septoria symptoms can vary between plants, but generally begin as small dark leaf spots that grow and spread. Spots have reddish-brown margins and tawny light brown to pale grey coloured centres. The spots may join up to form large blotches. Fungus fruiting bodies may be visible as small black dots on the spots.
Tomato Symptoms of Septoria lycopersici
In midsummer during rainy periods, numerous small dark spots appear on the lower leaves and spread upwards, towards the new growth. Spots can develop light brownish centres. Black specks (these are the fruiting bodies, or 'pycnidia' of the fungus) may be visible in the spots. The spots can expand and if they’re left untreated, cause leaves to yellow, wither and drop off.
Tomato fruit don’t show symptoms (black spots on tomato fruits are caused by anthracnose). Although the fruits of affected plants remain edible, the disease severely weakens tomato plants, so fruit quality and quantity may be compromised.
Passionfruit Symptoms of Septoria passiflorae
The disease begins with small light brown spots stippling the leaves, stems and fruit. These small spots develop into larger patches, eventually covering most of the surface area of fruit. While the passionfruit pulp remains edible, it may ripen unevenly.
Septoria Leaf Spot is a different disease to Passionfruit Fungal Spot (Alternaria passiflorae). Although symptoms on passionfruit can appear similar, Alternaria spots have a more sunken, wrinkly appearance.
Celery Symptoms of Septoria apiicola
Small brown spots begin on the outermost lower leaves, then spread to the rest of the plant, including the stems. The spots can combine and enlarge, causing entire leaves to collapse and wither.
How to Protect Your Plants
Remove all diseased plants. Practice crop rotation, avoiding planting in the same spot for 3-4 years. Avoid overhead watering and ensure there’s enough spacing between plants. Treat the disease with a suitable fungicide as soon as you see it, then continue to repeat treatments regularly, while conditions remain moist and humid.
- Vegetables, including Tomato, Lettuce and Celery: apply Yates Copper Oxychloride as a preventative barrier, at 14 day intervals.
- Passionfruit and Citrus: apply Yates Nature's Way Fungus Spray at 10-14 day intervals.
- Ornamental plants, including Chrysanthemum and Gerbera: apply Yates Liquid Copper Fungicide at first sign of disease and repeat every 10 -14 days as required.
Lesions on a celery leaf, showing the 'pycnidia' fungus fruiting bodies
Plants Impacted:
- Tomato
- Citrus
- Passionfruit
- Celery
- Lettuce
- Blackcurrant
- Chrysanthemum
- Gerbera
Aphids
Aphids are small, sap-sucking insects which can cause a lot of damage to your plants. They can be green, black, red-pink or translucent white and are often found grouped on new shoots and buds.
Mealybug
If your plant is covered in what looks like little balls of sticky cotton wool in the crevices along the stems, or on the leaves, it's likely to be mealybugs. Here's how to identify and control them.
Citrus Collar Rot
A soilborne disease that causes the base of a citrus trunk to rot, causing loss of vigour and tree death. Over-watering and waterlogged soil increase risk of infection.
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