eucalyptus illness

Jess is in the Garden

My potted eucalyptus (about 4 years old, normally very healthy and grows at quite a rate on its south east-facing patio) has something wrong with it.

At first (before I had put specs on and had a closer look!) I thought it might just be a bit of winter damage, but on closer inspection I can see that the bottom third of the leaves are studded with raised, rust-coloured patches.

What on earth are these?

I thought eucalyptus was infallible!

The potted olive, right next to it, is unaffected.

 

Thank you.

 

 

Tropical Sam

It does look like rust fungus. Yes it can affect Eucalyptus. Use Westland Plant Rescue Fungus Control and I would remove all the affected foliage. 

Jess is in the Garden

Thanks blairs

Yes, I feared it might be that - isn't it a big problem in Oz, at the moment? I read somewhere that it had been carried over by a wasp!

Hopefully I can find that fungicide fast and the tree can be saved.

Jess is in the Garden

Thanks, Verdun 

I shall do just that.

It had already been heavily pollarded the year before, so i was keen to let it grow back a bit, but what with this rust, I'll give it a good haircut now. Seems a shame, as the upper 2 thirds of leaves are unaffected and glorious and it had reached 7 feet! 

Jess is in the Garden

PS: is it a good time to cut it back now, do you think?

punkdoc

I would leave it till March, we may still get a harsh winter.

Fairygirl

I'd agree with doc Jess. We've been lulled into a false sense of security with the winter so far, and they can succumb to cold even without pruning, depending on where you are.  

It'll put on lots of growth in the spring/summer anyway, so it would only be small for a little while 

Jess is in the Garden

Thanks all- great advice