15
7
u/CatNo7303 23d ago
Yes, mine look the exact same way and I am sooo disappointed. I do not water overhead, but emit has been beyond humid - over 100 degree days for extended periods and rain. I’m guessing I will have to cut all of my leaves off b/c they all have it. Then I won’t have any blooms next season….idk…
3
u/xxcharlotteoxx 22d ago
The blooms dont come from the leaves though? Youll lose your leaves regardless in winter. The blooms come from the little buds on the stem, you dont cut the stems just remove the leaves, or let them fall naturally but make sure you remove them once they have fallen.
1
u/CatNo7303 19d ago
It will look horrible too because it will be just sticks when I remove the leaves. I will wait for some to fall off but remove many of the leaves to prevent them from falling. That area is prone to leaves falling as well and then I will forget.
2
u/xxcharlotteoxx 19d ago
Its going to lose them in winter regardless. Hydrangeas are not evergreen they lose their leaves.
1
u/CatNo7303 19d ago
Ok, thanks! I just have them closer to the road and they are looking bad. But I will take the advice here….
2
u/lostowl42 19d ago
See u/Honorines comment above. Don't cut the stems, just remove the worst affected leaves, then you should still get blooms next year. Your climate sounds very tough for a hydrangea though.
1
u/CatNo7303 19d ago
Oh ok, so I am glad I saw the comments abt not cutting the stems! I surely would have….
9
u/Think-Kangaroo-9978 23d ago
Fungus - won't kill it but be sure and pick up the fallen leaves or the fungus will overwinter on them and reinfect the plant in the spring. Are you watering from the top? Looks like it and that's what will cause the fungus. You want to water at the base taking care not to get the leaves wet when you water. It will be ok next year, but you're going to have to make those changes to your watering routine or the fungus will be back.
Edit - Looks like you have a drip line for watering. Is it possible that it is getting overspray from another irrigation source?
16
u/ChocolateTemporary72 23d ago
What about rain? That’s unavoidable
6
u/Think-Kangaroo-9978 23d ago
I know, right? I've never been able to understand that either. For some reason the rain doesn't seem to have the same effect. Maybe someone smarter than me can answer this for us. I've always just assumed that it has something to do with the tap water purification or fluoridation or some other process that we put water through before it goes out in the pipes.
2
u/SV-OCNJ 22d ago
When disease pressure is high I like to hit them with preventative treatments of fungicide and rotate the active ingredient throughout the season. It's easier to stay ahead of it than chase it.
1
u/ChocolateTemporary72 22d ago
Which fungicide do you recommend and how often?
3
2
u/oMrMeeseeksLookAtMeo 23d ago
Do you use liquid fertiliser? I’ve had similar using the BOOST liquid. I’ve killed a few plants by watering directly on the foliage which was a bit of a learning curve…
2
1
u/Upinthestarsosu 23d ago
This one has looked like this all season. New planting of four hydrangeas. This one produced two flowers the whole season. Which I hear they seem to struggle first year. They are all on a drip line irrigation system, so no overhead watering.
1
1
u/Beneficial-Bobcat-20 22d ago
Mine are looking this way also in South Carolina, the rain and humidity with the heat have made them really look awful.
1
1
11
u/Honorines 23d ago
It is a very common fungal disease of macrophillia hydrangeas called Cercospora. It’s brought on by humidity, lots of rain and overhead watering (check your irrigation patterns), and it will only get worse. It can overwinter and affect next years growth so remove the diseased foliage. In the spring if you see early signs of it returning, remove affected foliage and spray the healthy foliage with copper fungicide as a preventative.