Native Plants
![](../_images/smarty_plants.gif)
Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?
A: There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers are the culpable and capable culprits. Yet, others think staff members play some, albeit small, role. You can torture us with your plant questions, but we will never reveal the Green Guru's secret identity.
Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
![](../_images/mr_smarty_plants_logo_web_200w.jpg)
rate this answer
![](../_images/star_43.gif)
Saturday - March 05, 2011
From: Burleson, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Diseases and Disorders
Title: Control of Fusarium wilt on Wax Myrtle
Answered by: Guy Thompson
QUESTION:
Do you have any new reports on how to control the Fusarium Wilt disease to Wax Myrtle Plants?ANSWER:
Morella cerifera (Wax myrtle) was reported to be infected by Fusarium oxysporum or other Fusarium species in central and south Florida back in the 1990's. Mr. Smarty Plants has found several mentions of that observation, some as recent as 2009, but no effective treatment has been reported. The fungus often enters the plant through cut or damaged places in the root system. It grows into the stems, blocking free passage of water and nutrients. According to most reports, the plant eventually dies.
You may delay the demise of your plant by pruning off the dead and dying branches. Pruning small branches in the morning would give the cut ends time to dry during the day. Larger cut stems should be painted to prevent possible further transmission of the fungus by insects.
It may be more desirable to simply replace the plant. If you do that and need to have the replacement in the same location, consider treating the soil with a fungicide or solarizing the soil to try and kill the Fusarium organism. The fungicide Mycostop is recommended to protect against Fusarium, but I doubt that it would save an already infected plant. If you can, plant the replacement in a different spot, hopefully one free of the fungus. Make certain that the new plant that you purchase has no damage to the root system, and use only moderately enriched soil. High nitrogen encourages active growth of molds. Make sure the new plant does not become water-stressed, since this would weaken its resistance to infection.
Wax myrtle is usually considered to be a hardy plant with few disease problems. If you can get a healthy replacement off to a good start it should take care of itself.
More Diseases and Disorders Questions
Overwatering and fertilization of whiteleaf manzanita
July 27, 2007 - Hi, I have an Arctostaphylos Dr. Hurd, southern California coast, several years old, 10 feet, that has a few large branches with yellowing and spotted leaves... also dropping many.
causes? remedy? sh...
view the full question and answer
Death of mature Eve's necklace in Fredericksburg, TX
July 12, 2010 - A friend mentioned his mature Eve's necklace had died this year. The next day I walked past my own mature Eve's necklace(about 5 years old)and it was dead! What could have happened? Thanks.
view the full question and answer
Problem with Habiturf. Is it dormant or dead?
July 24, 2013 - We planted habiturf in spring 2012. It's beautiful. But since last summer, we have had one area that seems to go dormant much more rapidly than the rest, even though it receives the same amount of ...
view the full question and answer
Various landscape problems in Omaha, NE.
June 18, 2015 - Thank you for your time, sorry i cant sort this out because my issue seems to fit many but also none of the issues I've read about. Some patches of grass in my lawn have yellow spots and dying and/or...
view the full question and answer
Problems with dogwood tree in Jacksonville FL
February 28, 2010 - Sir, I believe I have a Cornus drummondii, a stiff dogwood tree on my lawn which a few years ago was big, lush and full of branches and leaves. In the last 2 years I have noticed about 80% of it drop...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |