Oak seedling disease?
Submitted by tresselk on Thu, 04/24/2008 - 00:53
I planted an oak tree seed and after about four months of diligent watering, it has finally started to grow. It shot up about an inch in the last two weeks. Unfortunately, I went out to water it today and found the seedling covered in white powder. I am wondering if this could be a case of powdery mildew or if it could be something else. Is there any way to save my little tree?? What should I be doing next time or what should I be aware of so to avoid this next time??
I have been so excited for my little tree and now I fear there is no help for it. If anyone has any thoughts please let me know. Thanks for any advise.
Oak Seedling: Here is my little oak tree. I planted him in late December and finally in late March he started to peak through the soil. He has realy sprouted up since then.
Thank you for
Thank you for the advice thus far. Here is a bit more info.
I live in Southern Arizona. I'm not sure what type of oak my seedling is. I have him in a pot and I have been watering every other day because it is so hot here and the soil in the pot gets so dry. I have the pot located in the sun. You think I should back off on the water?
I have talked to someone local here and they thought it might be spittle. However, after researching that a bit, spittle seems like it would be more of a spit type form vs. the fluffy white that was on my oak. I washed it off and the seedling seems to be doing okay, I'm not sure though. When the white occured there was only the first two leaves on the plant. Now there is also a large leaf that has grown.
I have taken a picture, but I am at a lose as to how to upload it onto the site. I will post the pic as soon as I figure it out.
Thanks Again
No expert here!
I'm no tree expert, but I do know about hot weather. I live in Texas and we've had summers here where there were strings of 30+ days of over100 degree weather. I agree with treeman that you should back it out of direct sun! If you are that hot, even things that like lots of sun won't appreciate the long days in the hot sun. You mentioned that you have it in a pot. If you have it in a clay pot, I'd replant it in a plastic one. I've noticed that clay pots tend to dry out more quickly than the plastic ones. You may find that the pot will hold water better if you have it in plastic. I hope you'll post pictures of it soon!
Susan, the Texas Yankee, the Texas Rangerette and the Assistant Administrator
SKBeal's Snazzy Tr
Susan,The Assistant Administrator, the Texas Yankee and the Texas Rangerette.
Southern Arizona
Well Tresselk, given your neighborhood I would have to say you probably are not watering it too much. If your soil is drying out, then do water it. I had no idea you were in the middle of a desert!
I visited your kneck of the cactus thicket last summer when we moved my daughter to ASU for graduate school. (we were there in the monsoon) Too much humidity isn't your problem, but yes I would definitely back it into a bit more shade, especially during the mid-day hours there. I hear tell youse guys are pretty warm out there right now.
While there I got to visit the the desert arboreteum. Great garden! We did the night tour. For an easterner like me, it was a great experience.
Perhaps Dale can PM you some instructions on loading pics.
"He who plants a tree, plants hope" Lucy Larcom
Mighty Oaks....
from little Acorns grow... I for get who coined that... but Oh so true.
Welcome Tresselk. Nice to meet you.
A little more info might help me some. What part of the country do you live in? Do you know what kind of an oak it is? Is it in a pot or in the ground? Sun or shade?
The malady you describe, does sound like powdery mildew. And it may or may not be fatal. Only time will tell. Have the second set of leaves begun to emerge yet, or just the first two small roundish leaves. If its only the first two "Cotyledon" leaves then there is a good chance more will emerge. Most Acorns have enough stored energy reserves to support the intial growth of several leaves. It takes several to generate enough photosynthesis for the young seedling to support itself.
First I would slack off on the watering. Maybe twice a week is plenty. Most oaks are adapted to medium to dry sites and don't like wet feet all the time. If the humidity is high and the seedling is potted, try moving the pot to where it will get more sunlight. Oaks are really sun plants, but don't over do it now. protect it from the harshest mid-day sun. You will want to gradually acclimate it to that. While bordeaux mixture is often used for powdery mildew, I would avoid using it on a tender young seedling. You can try using a commerical fungicide or neem oil, but controlling moisture will be far more effective.
Get us a picture up. Take it as close up as you can focus. Maybe I can offer more info.
Wes
"He who plants a tree, plants hope" Lucy Larcom
Someone here may have some