FunGuy

leejr · Posted: Wed Aug 06, 2008 6:10 pm Post subject: FunGuy

Hi, Could someone tell me what sort of fungus i have on a small JBP (Pinus Thunbergii) so i can go about treating it.

http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg218/leejrphotos/100_0439.jpg?t=12 18046493

http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg218/leejrphotos/100_0438.jpg?t=12 18046509

Stymie · Posted: Wed Aug 06, 2008 7:25 pm Post subject: Re: FunGuy

I can't give it a name Lee but the first course of action would be to wipe it off then spray with a copper based fungicide.

leejr · Posted: Wed Aug 06, 2008 7:39 pm Post subject: Re: FunGuy

OK Cheers Don. Does fungus in general spread easily from tree 2 tree or plant 2 plant?

Stymie · Posted: Wed Aug 06, 2008 8:14 pm Post subject: Re: FunGuy

If the conditions for it are favourable, I reckon yes. I think it is propagated from spores which float in the air. Just spray anything which might have been affected.

emorrin · Posted: Wed Aug 06, 2008 8:15 pm Post subject: Re: FunGuy

Yes, Fungus can spread easily if you are not careful. The wind can make fungus spores go airborne. If you touch the effected fungus area then touch another tree....

One of the biggest methods I see in spreading fungus is by not cleaning tools after use. If I need to do some trimming on a plant that has a fungus, I wipe down my bonsai shears afterward with rubbing alcohol so I won't spread it to other trees.

Isolating the effected JBP from your other trees, down wind if possible, is recommended.

Like Don mentioned, a copper based fungicide will usually work for most types of fungus. It looks like you have a powdery mildew type fungus.

Surrey John · Posted: Thu Aug 07, 2008 10:28 am Post subject: Re: FunGuy

Some fungi are extremely harmful - black spot, rust, potato blight, and stuff like that - while the vast majority are probably pretty harmless - just using the tree as a food source without actually damaging it. The trouble is to know which is which!

I'm sure you will appreciate this most helpful contribution.... Confused

SJ

leejr · Posted: Thu Aug 07, 2008 3:42 pm Post subject: Re: FunGuy

Thanks for the tips and info u2 SJ Laughing

I took my tree to work 2day in hope one of the gardeners there had some CBF spray. Unfortunately they didn't, but did have some anti fungal spray which they used for the roses so i used this, hope that was ok. m8 seemed to think it would be fine Question

He also seemed to think that it was mealy bugs that had left the fungus Question

Dick · Posted: Sat Aug 09, 2008 4:54 am Post subject: Re: FunGuy

In noting the fungus in question, I can't help but think that there may be another possibility. The trunk of the tree has veen significantly bent and sometimes that will cause small open wounds, Tiny amounts of sap will ooze and will sometimes dry white as your fungus looks. It's work a close look with a magnifying lens.

leejr · Posted: Sat Aug 09, 2008 8:57 am Post subject: Re: FunGuy

cheers Dick, yes you are right about it having some open wounds. I was worried about this and was thinking of sealing the wounds up, once i had noticed the white stuff had been eradicated successfully.

Dick · Posted: Sat Aug 09, 2008 9:22 am Post subject: Re: FunGuy

Be careful not to seal in anything that could be potentially harmful to the tree. it may be better to leave it exposed to the air to keep it dry. Eventually the small wound will heal over by itself.

leejr · Posted: Sat Aug 09, 2008 10:45 am Post subject: Re: FunGuy

OK Dick on your advise I'll leave to heal naturally. thank you Smile

TB420 · Posted: Sat Aug 09, 2008 4:44 pm Post subject: Re: FunGuy

Pines can generally be left free of cut paste. The thick sap does the job just fine.

Tom

Dick · Posted: Sat Aug 09, 2008 4:47 pm Post subject: Re: FunGuy

Precisely!