Re: Rust(Fungus?) on Malvas

In a message dated 99-07-04 12:02:19 EDT, you write:

<< During our break of nonstop rain here in the Northwest I went out to take 
a look
 at my garden today.
 My tall 2nd year Malvas have rust spots on the leaves and stems.  Do I need 
to
 destroy these plants (just coming into bloom) or can I destroy the infected
 leaves and spray the plants with something.  They all have this problem no
 matter where in the garden I've planted them.  WIll this fungus spread to the
 other plants?
 
 Help
 
 Barb
 Washington
  >>

No wonder.  Rust thrives in humid weather. I have never had rust on Malva, 
but I am not surprised because Malva alcea is in the same family as 
Hollyhocks (Alcea rosea) -- the Malvaceae family.  You might want to check 
the perennial list archives for the recent thread on Hollyhocks and rust.  As 
I recall, there were quite a few good ideas.  The same treatments should 
apply.

Rust is a fungal disease.  I can recommend good air circulation, avoiding 
wetting the foliage (how you are going to do that in your climate, I do not 
know), removing infected leaves immediately, destroying badly infected 
plants, and cleaning up all litter.

Regular applications of wettable sulfur are effective if started a few weeks 
before the rust appears.  It couldn't hurt to try it now and plan to start 
earlier next year. Safer and Concern both make a ready-to-use, sulfur-based 
fungicidal spray.  Malva needs well-drained soil and prefers alkaline soil.  
If I am not mistaken, the soil in your area is acidic.  You might want to add 
some lime just to keep your plants in tip-top, disease-resistant condition.  
It can spread to other plants if you have others that are susceptible to rust 
(roses, for instance).  --Janis

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