Issues with my Crepe Myrtle

[ZombieNick]

I recently picked up a Crepe Myrtle that I have just been watching grow since I got it a couple of months ago. Almost over night, I noticed a white substance forming on the buds and branch tips. I don't know a lot about the species in general and I am not used to dealing with fungal issues, as we don't typically get them in our area. It looks almost like powdery mildew, but I never water over the leaves and it has been very dry for months.



Any help to identify and resolve the issue is greatly appreciated. Looking at the other leaves now, it seems like there is some Chlorosis going on, so that could have contributed by weakening the plant.

 

[BrianBay9]

Looks like powdery mildew to me. Tried a fungicide yet?

 

[leatherback]

Looks like powdery mildew to me. Tried a fungicide yet?

yeah to me too, and a BAD one too. Must be humid, wind-still and warm in the OC Cal

 

[Ruddigger]

That’s very unusual for our area. I’d hit it with the 3 in 1

 

[baldone]

I see this on mine when not enough sun.

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

Mine get it too. It doesn’t seem to hurt the tree, and doesn’t really spread much from new growth. Mancozeb works to eliminate it.

 

[Vince Sartain]

I have several varieties of Crepes here in the inland empire here in California and even though it is hot and dry here a couple of the varieties always have trouble with powdery mildew every late spring. It doesn't seem to matter if it's my bonsai or ones planted in the ground. I end up spraying them with an antifungal when I first see signs of it and that seems to do the trick for the rest of the summer. Occasionally I'll have to do a second treatment in mid summer but not usually.

 

[Ruddigger]

I have several varieties of Crepes here in the inland empire here in California and even though it is hot and dry here a couple of the varieties always have trouble with powdery mildew every late spring. It doesn't seem to matter if it's my bonsai or ones planted in the ground. I end up spraying them with an antifungal when I first see signs of it and that seems to do the trick for the rest of the summer. Occasionally I'll have to do a second treatment in mid summer but not usually.

Interesting. I see you’re also in Chino.

 

[ZombieNick]

Thanks everyone for the help!

yeah to me too, and a BAD one too. Must be humid, wind-still and warm in the OC Cal

Honestly not terrible. Bit higher than usual, up to 80% at night, but still 50% or under during the day.

That’s very unusual for our area. I’d hit it with the 3 in 1

That's why I thought it was something else. Crazy how fast it spread.

I see this on mine when not enough sun.

Mine get it too. It doesn’t seem to hurt the tree, and doesn’t really spread much from new growth. Mancozeb works to eliminate it.

I have several varieties of Crepes here in the inland empire here in California and even though it is hot and dry here a couple of the varieties always have trouble with powdery mildew every late spring. It doesn't seem to matter if it's my bonsai or ones planted in the ground. I end up spraying them with an antifungal when I first see signs of it and that seems to do the trick for the rest of the summer. Occasionally I'll have to do a second treatment in mid summer but not usually.

Sounds like Crepes in general are a bit susceptible, probably why I am only having an issue with this tree. I'll cut back the real bad parts and give it a spray. Thanks again for the comments.

 

[Vince Sartain]

Interesting. I see you’re also in Chino.

Yes sir, been planted here for 62 years.

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

Yes sir, been planted here for 62 years.

Must result in quite the nebari.

 

[Vince Sartain]

Well truth be told, not much of a nebari but a heluva an aged bark!