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Q: My Lilac Bushes have black mold on them, what is it and is it harmful?
Cheryl
A: Cheryl,
It sounds like sooty mold. This type of mold is associated with aphids, scales, and other sucking insects. The insects excrete a sticky substance called honeydew, that unless washed off by the rain, sticky to the leaves. The spores of sooty molds then travel by wind and land on the sticks honeydew to develop. These molds develop exclusively on honeydew, and although the molds themselves wont harm your plant, they look pretty awful and if you have a large mold problem, the leaves may not receive enough light.
To control sooty mold you need to control the sucking insects that secret the honeydew (in your case, probably aphids or scale).
About The Author: Ellen Brown is our Green Living and Gardening Expert. Click here to ask Ellen a question! Ellen Brown is an environmental writer and photographer and the owner of Sustainable Media, an environmental media company that specializes in helping businesses and organizations promote eco-friendly products and services. Contact her on the web at http://www.sustainable-media.com
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