Crape myrtles, or Lagerstroemia indica, are ornamental shrubs that produce blossoms in a variety of colors, including pink, red and lavender. The dwarf varieties of crape myrtle grow to a mature height of around 3 feet, making them suitable for a variety of landscape applications. Like other ornamental shrubs, dwarf myrtles may suffer from certain disorders that cause the leaves to wilt.
Water Requirements
One of the most common reasons for wilted leaves is improper watering. Both excessive and insufficient moisture conditions can lead to wilting and leaf drop in dwarf myrtles. Mature specimens of these ornamental shrubs require supplemental water only when the soil near the roots shows signs of dryness, although new myrtle shrubs do best with evenly moist soil for about the first two months of growth. Water your established dwarf myrtles deeply whenever the soil near the roots feels dry and crumbly, applying enough water to soak the root ball.
Fungus
Fungal diseases often cause wilting and poor growth in dwarf myrtles. Fusarium wilt disease affects numerous ornamental shrubs, including dwarf myrtles. This fungal disease can spread from plant to plant, making it necessary to treat or remove infected plants immediately. Fusarium wilt tends to thrive in moist soils and humid conditions. Infected dwarf myrtles generally develop yellow leaves that begin appearing on one side, gradually spreading throughout the plant before curling and falling. Fusarium wilt may spread throughout the foliage, resulting in the eventual death of these attractive shrubs.
Pests
Although many pests that feed on dwarf myrtles appear on the leaves, stems and blossoms of these ornamental shrubs, pests that live below the surface of the soil can disrupt the flow of nutrients through the roots, causing the leaves to wilt. Root-feeding organisms that feed on dwarf myrtle roots include nematodes, insects and slugs. Examining the roots of a wilting dwarf myrtle can reveal the presence of root-feeding pests.
Treatment
Removing dead leaves and grasses from the soil beneath your dwarf myrtles will help reduce the risk of both pest and fungal damage. Pruning out dead branches and thinning out thick branches also helps provide optimal airflow, helping to prevent fungal growth. Always remove cut vegetation from the area around your shrubs. Treat fusarium wilt and other fungal conditions with a fungicide labeled for use on ornamental shrubs. Use a pesticide treatment in the form of a soil drench to help kill and control pests that live beneath the soil and feed on the roots of your dwarf myrtles.
Tags: dwarf myrtles, ornamental shrubs, Fusarium wilt, pests that, feed dwarf