Rust

What is rust? This fungus affects a wide range of woody and herbaceous plants. Even though it rarely kills plants, it reduces a plant's health, vigor, and flower production.

How to Identify Rust

• Look for yellow or white spots forming on the upper leaves of a plant.
• Orange or yellow spots or streaks appear on the undersides of the leaves.
• Within these spots that form are spores.
• Usually leaf distortion and defoliation occur.

How to Control Rust

• Remove all infected parts and destroy them. For bramble fruits, remove and destroy all the infected plants and replant the area with resistant varieties.
• Clean away all debris in between plants to prevent rust from spreading.
• Avoid splashing water onto the leaves, as this can help spread rust.

Prevention

• Dust your plants with sulfur early in the season to prevent infection or to keep mild infections from spreading.
• Space your plants properly to encourage good air circulation.
• Avoid wetting the leaves when watering plants.
• There are many effective rust fungicides you can try. Ask your local nursery for which products you should use.