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Looks like soot on camellia

Mr chipsMr chips Posts: 11
in Problem solving
I have a white camellia that has a lot of black 'soot' on the leaves. Any idea what it is and how can I get rid of it?

Posts

  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    It looks like your plant either has or has had a scale insect infestation.
    The sooty mould you see is mould forming on the droppings of the scale insects (otherwise known as honeydew..) 

    Some RHS info here

    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    looks like sooty mold growing on sugary excretions from some pest like aphids or scale insect.  It reduces the plant's ability to photosynthesise so just clean it off with a damp cloth and then, if it's aphids, squish them with your fingers or blast them off with a  squirt form a hose pipe until the ladybirds and lacewings come and sort them out, or even its and sparrows who feed them to the chicks.

    The RHS offers this advice about camellias and potential problems - https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?PID=771

    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
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