Expert: Darlene K. Kittle - 7/9/2009

Question
I've had an outdoor yucca for nearly 14 years, and as of late it seems to have been infected with a fungus. (at least that's what the local garden store says). The plant is about 8 feet tall, and in the last week, I've cut off at least 100 of the stalks on the bottom. It's dying from the bottom up. Starts with splotches on the leaves that are surrounded by a dark brown color and within the " fungus circle", the plant turns a lighter shade of green. From there, it just spreads to more of the leaf and the leaf eventually turns brown and dies. The gardener told me to use Ferti-lome Systemic Fungicide... which I have used both in the spray bottle all over the plant leaves and stalk, and also watered the soil with it. She also had me use a composte around the trunk. Please help! This plant is beautiful and I really don't want to lose it. Thank you! Lisa

Answer
Lisa,

Fungal infections can be very frustrating. Try to keep your yucca as dry as possible and treat is as the garden store reccommended. The only thing I could add would be to try also spraying it with a can of Lysol spray. Keep the can about 12 inches from the yucca and spray the entire plant getting the fronts and backsw of all leaves. Wait 5 days and spray again. I have found Lysol spray to be one of the best fungicides there is. Other than that you just have to be patient and pray that the plant will respond. Keep me posted. Good luck.

Darlene