Two questions: I have a "gilt edge ebbinge's silverberry" the I just planted a month ago. It is still quite small - 24" high, and although it has new leaf tips, a lot of the leaves around the sides and bottom have turned papery, first around the edges, then they turn yellow and fall off. The papery edges seem to have a few dark dots. Could it be a fungus? I noticed a big slug in the vicinity (which I promptly disposed of), perhaps it is being eaten as well? I have read about a fungicide that can be made from horsetail brewing in water in the sun for a few weeks, and I would like to try it. Does anybody know about the effectiveness of it?
Post a photograph if possible - might not be a pest at all, but rather how you are growing it. Also, please don't attempt the use chemicals of any sort before identifying the source of the problem. If you could cite a source of information for this horsetail brew, perhaps someone will have a look at the rationale behind it - sounds dodgy to me, though.
Thankyou for your reply. Almost as soon as I dashed off the note the plant seemed to recover and indeed it is looking much better...I think it may have had something to do with the wet spring we had and being on the north side?? Perhaps. Spring horsetail brew is mentioned on this website and also it was in arecent issue of Gardens West I think. http://www.pfaf.org/database/plants.php?Equisetum+arvense Thanks again P Vesely
Slugs & Snails do not eat Horsetails, could be something to do with the high silica content. Some Slug & Snail pesticides, contain a sharp form of Silica that actually cuts them. Your Silverberry is possibly reacting to the late season planting, and the weather we have been having.
