FEBRUARY 2016 – A new disease called downy mildew has reached our Red Apple, also known as Aptenia cordyfolia. It may be the disease has been dormant and recently has shown itself due to the current San Diego weather conditions. With extreme changes, from long droughts to the El Niño rains and winds, we have reached epidemic levels of downy mildew. High moisture areas within a landscape are where the downy mildew thrives. Shady areas and areas of overhead irrigation should be monitored closely.
Symptoms of Downy Mildew
At first, downy mildew appears as brown, sunken spots on the Red Apple leaf. Over time, the crystalline sporulation of the downy mildew spreads completely over all leaves. It infects the stem, and the plant may eventually die, if not treated.
How to Treat Downy Mildew
When treating downy mildew, it is important to use products correctly and measured accurately. Always read labels for detail information of recommended use. Products should be applied as a spray, since granular will not reach all impacted areas. To gain the best results, a minimum of two applications should be applied over a week.
If this is impacting your landscape, contact us and we can help.