Black spots on the culms and Leaves Falling Off— please help

Controlling pests of bamboo

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Srhbtlr
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Black spots on the culms and Leaves Falling Off— please help

Post by Srhbtlr »

Hi everyone— I’ve got some very sick bamboos over here and it’s breaking my heart. They are giant bamboos (usually a beautiful emerald green) but in one section, the films are getting covered with long black spots, and the leaves are slowly falling off little by little. It now looks very unhealthy, and I have no idea what could be causing it. Maybe some kind of borer? I’ll attach close up and wide photos of the sick patch, as well as a healthy patch to compare. I would be so grateful if someone could offer some advice!
Attachments
Healthy patch— this is what it all used to look like!
Healthy patch— this is what it all used to look like!
81D29CF2-2F8E-4A30-9B6E-FFAC7F08B943.jpeg (43.14 KiB) Viewed 4033 times
Close-up of sick culms
Close-up of sick culms
4185BB97-CE5E-4247-A9E5-372858426916.jpeg (38.42 KiB) Viewed 4033 times
Sick patch
Sick patch
C5E22565-4637-4EC9-8D6E-3A65B04F1CFC.jpeg (39.16 KiB) Viewed 4033 times
dependable
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Re: Black spots on the culms and Leaves Falling Off— please

Post by dependable »

Since my bamboo is in a very different climate, I doubt I can tell you much.

But one standard question is; is soil under sick bamboo is wetter or is staying wetter than usual, broken irrigation line, etc?

No one drained pool water or something like that did they? chlorine kill or damage most plants.
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needmore
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Re: Black spots on the culms and Leaves Falling Off— please

Post by needmore »

Do you know the species name?
Brad Salmon, zone 12B Kea'au, HI
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dependable
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Re: Black spots on the culms and Leaves Falling Off— please

Post by dependable »

Good point Brad, I was kind of assuming it was a clumper, but if it was P nigra borrida, that is how it is supposed to look after first year. Dropping leave is periodically normal too.
RichieRich
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Re: Black spots on the culms and Leaves Falling Off— please

Post by RichieRich »

Did you ever find an answer? Mine is very similar. Variety is Gracilis (Slender weaver) Our neighbours put an above ground pool just behind the problem spot about 4 months ago, and they left the tap on. A lot of water leaked out, and I wonder if it's the chlorine. That was 4 months ago, so I would have expected it to recover by now. We have good drainage and although we didn't get a lot of rain in summer, I did water enough.
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