Griselinia Littoralis leaves turning black suddenly

NoviceGardenOwner · July 2022

I planted a row of Griselinia Littoralis about a month ago and yesterday many of the leaves started turning black/brown (as shown in the below pictures).

I have plucked these leaves off, but this morning more appeared (Unless I mised them with the fading light last night).

I also have 3 smaller plants about 2m away from the rest in pots and they've also had the same spots appearing.

Have they picked up some sort of disease? Is there something I need to do to save them? I don't want all the time and money I've spent on them to be wasted

AnniD · July 2022

I'm wondering if it's some form of leaf spot (she said, stating the bleedin' obvious).
Have a look at this.
https://www.hopesgrovenurseries.co.uk/knowledge-base/griselinia-hedge-problems/#:~:text=Pests & Disease&text=Griselinia littoralis is also relatively,many of the plants' leaves.

NoviceGardenOwner · July 2022

Looking at that page, could it also potentially be root rot? I've been watering these plants quite a lot recently because of the high temperatures, I'm wondering whether I've overdone it.

I'm getting very worried about what this might be now after spending hundreds of pounds on these plants

What would be the best course of action moving ahead with this? Is there a generally-recommended fungicide product that is recommended on this forum?

AnniD · July 2022

To be honest, l'm more inclined to think it's leaf spot looking at the description of root rot on that site.
The leaves on your plants aren't pale, and the spots are quite distinctive.
I have no personal experience of this, so hopefully there will be a forum member who can give you a definite answer.

Mrs-B3-Southampton,-Hants · July 2022

My bush had a sudden 'attack' of black leaves one year on a well established 6 footer. Knowing no better I just cleared them away and alls well with the world now. Try not to worry too much.

NoviceGardenOwner · July 2022

I sprayed weedkiller about 2-3m away from the hedge about a week ago. But I was very careful to ensure that it was not at all windy that day and to make sure it was not near my hedges. Is there a change it can leech through the soil and attack the hedges? It was my understanding that residental weedkillers bond tightly to soil and do not migrate much.

AnniD · July 2022

It depends on the type of weedkiller you used l think.
Have a look at this, especially the section on residual weedkiller.
https://www.rhs.org.uk/prevention-protection/weedkiller-damage

NoviceGardenOwner · July 2022

AnniD said:

It depends on the type of weedkiller you used l think.
Have a look at this, especially the section on residual weedkiller.
https://www.rhs.org.uk/prevention-protection/weedkiller-damage

I used this primarily: https://www.wilko.com/en-uk/wilko-ready-to-use-path-patio-weedkiller-1l/p/0478963

So aceitic acid (which I beleive is the most gentle weedkiller as it is just essentially vinegar) and doesn't soak into roots.

I used some glyphosate in other parts of the garden. But this was further away (5m away roughly). This was only a little bit as I had some leftover in an old bottle.

NoviceGardenOwner · July 2022

I contacted the supplier of my hedges for advice and they have suggested that it is likely a fungal infection and suggested I spray a fungicide on it. So I am going to move ahead with this assumption (nothing I can really do if it is anything else anyway).

What fungicide can I buy cheaply that is effective?

I managed to find some RoseClear 3-in-1 (pesticide and fungicide - https://www.lovethegarden.com/uk-en/product/roseclear-3-1-action-800ml ) really cheaply so bought some of this. Will this do? Or do I need something more specific to hedges/shrubs?

NoviceGardenOwner · July 2022

Better photos:

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/6030279/uploads/editor/n8/14wtllrnbll9.jpg

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/6030279/uploads/editor/n2/kwllzlfqwvgm.jpg

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/6030279/uploads/editor/bp/0h7zkejcexo0.jpg

AnniD · July 2022

I use Scott's Fungus clear ultra
https://www.diy.com/departments/fungus-clear-fungicide/1431711_BQ.prd

but l should imagine Roseclear would do the same job

Griselinia Littoralis leaves turning black suddenly

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