Explore Plants
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
Can't find the answer in our existing FAQs, submit a question to Mr. Smarty Plants.
Need help with plant identification, visit the plant identification page.
rate this answer
Sunday - March 08, 2009
From: Schertz, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Vines
Title: What is wrong with my cross vine (Bignonia capreolata?
Answered by: Jimmy Mills
QUESTION:
I have a crossvine (Bignonia capreolata) that has grown and bloomed beautifully for about 7 years. Then last year the bloom was significantly less and the bottom growth almost nonexistant. The leaves developed dark red round spots on them. New growth looked chlorotic. I have given it iron chelate and Gardenville's organic fertilizer, along with some molasses and seaweed. No change. I sprayed it with potassium bicarbonate, thinking it had a fungus or mildew. No change. It gets about three quarters of a day of sun. The only pruning I've done is at the top to keep the vine off the roof. It is planted at the roof dripline, so it gets water whenever it rains, plus I soak around my foundation. This spring it is looking really bad. I don't want to lose it. What is going on?ANSWER:
One way to approach this is to try to determine what has changed with the plants growing conditions since year seven. Cross vine, Bignonia capreolata (crossvine) grows in moist, well drained soil and in sun or partial shade. Is the soaking of the foundation a recent addition? Receiving too much water could affect the leaves. The red spots sound like a fungal problem. There also could be a pathogen (fungal or bacterial) attacking the the roots in the soil. I'm going to suggest that you contact your Guadalupe County Extension Agent who can give you instructions for sending a plant and/or a soil sample to the Texas A&M Plant Disease Diagnostic Lab.
More Vines Questions
Lonicera sempervirens not harmful to dogs from Naperville IL
December 16, 2012 - Is the trumpet honeysuckle (lonicera sempervirens) harmful to dogs if eaten? I have been told in the past that the common trumpet vine is harmful, but this appears to be different. Thank you!!
view the full question and answer
Identification of prickly vine in north Texas
July 07, 2008 - While trimming the shrubs around my suburban house I noticed (and my legs were torn up by!) a vine-like plant with small green serrated leaves and millions of small, very sharp thorns. I search Invasi...
view the full question and answer
Plant to hang over and cover a wall
May 21, 2010 - HI! this is a stumper for me! I have a 6 foot wall bracing a hill on one side and a lawn on the other. It is currently cement and I would like to find something to cover it --evergreen would be the...
view the full question and answer
Propagation of wild grape vines
July 14, 2004 - How can I propagate wild grape vines where I want them to grow?
view the full question and answer
Identifying vine in Alabama
June 16, 2008 - I have a vine growing on my fence and I need help identifying it. The leaves are a large and medium green oval shaped and along the vine there are clusters of tiny(really tiny) flowers.They are a pale...
view the full question and answer
 |
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. Mr. Smarty Plants wants you to be his Facebook friend. Click the Facebook icon to add yourself to Mr. Smarty Plants list of friends. |
