Catalpa: Verticillium Wilt?

Windsor Matthew

Hi all, I was wondering if my newly bought Catalpa might have Verticillium Wilt?

Leaves are currling, spotted, some brown, and yellowing.

hogweed

Have you checked to see if there are any critters in/on the leaves?

Windsor Matthew

Could it be caterpillars? ...not been able to reach yet, it's 2.2m tall! Will check if you think it's that. Leaves are curled.

Windsor Matthew

Here are some shots of my affected Catalpa Nana Bignonioides.

These look like a pest has been at them but also some brown marks and yellowing;

Yellowing and shrivelling;

Yellow speccles, some brown patches;

Brown running up the shoot;

Badly malformed and shrivelled;

Obelixx

Can you cut across one of the affected stems or branches and see if the wood is stained?  If so then yes, it's probably Vertcillium wilt and there's not a lot you can do except take out the tree completely, disturbing and spreading the soil as little as possible.

The RHS has this advice about recognition, removal and resistant varieties - https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?pid=255 

Pete.8

I don't think it's VW even though it does appear on the list of susceptible plants.
Unfortunately I have a couple of shrubs that have got it.
The first thing I noticed that the leaves on 1 or 2 upper branches all die at the same time and go crispy and the branch dies. On pruning off the branch the tell-tale signs of black circles on the cut surface are apparent. Subsequent growth is poor and new leaves are small and not very healthy looking. My acer katsura that has it is not looking great, but an eleagnus seems to be doing quite well now having had a good prune 3 years ago.

The leaf curls etc look most likely to be bug damage of some kind. Have you unfurled one and had a look? (a magnifying glass may help)

If you've only just bought it - I'd speak with the supplier and see what they say. I imagine it wasn't cheap.

Windsor Matthew

I just had another look - I can definitely NOT find any bugs or caterpillars, not ineven in the curled up leaf edges. Some leaves do look 'nibbled at' but that might be a side issue. I cut some young shoots of and some woody branches and neither seem to have brown or black patches under the bark / in the tissue. Have dropped Paramount plants an email.

Windsor Matthew

Starting to wonder if it is just badly deficient in key nutrients still being in pot (having to wait for border to be finished in 2 - 3 weeks time).

Pete.8

Ah! - that may well be your problem.
Seaweed extract is very useful as a plant tonic - if you can use that it will help strengthen your plant and improve its defenses.
If your plant is hungry it's weak and the bugs take advantage.
Failing that maybe a 1/2 strength GP fertilizer

Windsor Matthew

Thanks Pete!