Question: I have a problem with my Pirie mango tree blossoms being overrun by a black fungus. I seem to be the only one with the problem; my neighbors don’t have it. Do any of your readers know what I can do to overcome this fungus?
Answer: Just from your description, it appears your tree has anthracnose, said Scot Nelson, a plant pathologist with the University of Hawaii at Manoa’s Department of Plant & Environmental Protection Sciences.
The fungal disease can infect panicles (flower clusters) beginning as small black or dark-brown spots that can grow, coalesce and kill the flowers, according to a research paper Nelson wrote (www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/oc/freepubs/pdf/pd-48.pdf).
On fruits it shows as prominent dark brown or black decay spots and on leaves as small, angular brown to black spots.
According to Nelson, anthracnose in Hawaii is the predominant disease of mangoes in high-rainfall areas, during unusually wet periods or when there is heavy dew. Spores are dispersed mainly by splashing or wind-driven rain.
Treatment involves applying fungicides, such as basic copper, copper hydroxide, neem oil or chlorothalonil, at the first appearance of panicles and continuing at recommended intervals.
To confirm this diagnosis, contact the Pearl City Urban Garden Center, where trained master gardeners, all volunteers, are available to answer questions like yours.
You can call the Oahu Master Gardener Helpline at 453-6055 between 9 a.m. and noon weekdays, or email OahuMG@ctahr.hawaii.edu. Walk-ins are welcome.
The helpline is sponsored by the UH’s College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources’ Cooperative Extension Service (www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/UHMG/helpline.asp).
In your case a sample would help in making an accurate diagnosis, said Jayme Grzebik, a UH urban horticulturist and master gardener coordinator. If that’s not possible, a few photos would help, she said.
Question: Who is responsible for maintaining the coconut trees along the Nimitz Highway corridor that were planted just before the APEC conference? Although they’re beautiful, maintenance is lacking. At the Waiakamilo Road and Nimitz intersection, two trees were knocked over and not picked up now for weeks. How were they damaged?
Answer: It’s likely the two trees, a coconut and a Fiji palm, were hit by a vehicle overnight March 3.
“We cannot state with certainty how they were damaged, as no police or accident reports were made,” said Dan Meisenzahl, spokesman for the state Department of Transportation.
The DOT’s Highways Division is working with the project contractor to replace the trees. “Costs have not been determined yet, but the removal and replacement is anticipated within approximately 60 days,” Meisenzahl told us last week.
The DOT’s contract with a landscaping company requires the trees along the Nimitz corridor to be trimmed once a year.
“The contractor checks on the trees and grass twice a week and will address any immediate concerns,” Meisenzahl said.
As part of the Nimitz Highway Beautification Project, 163 coconut and Fiji palm trees — relocated from Waipahu to make way for the city’s rail transit project — and Saint Augustine grass were planted, and a new irrigation system installed along a 1.25-mile stretch between Sand Island Access Road and Alakawa Street.
Mahalo
To Joe Perreira and Paul Mauricio, who were driving by in Pearl City when they saw my elderly mother fall on the sidewalk. They stopped their cars, helped her up, rang the doorbell to let me know and brought her into the house. My mother was taken by ambulance to the hospital, where she is recovering from a fractured hip. I appreciate their kindness very much. — L.O.
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Write to “Kokua Line” at Honolulu Star-Advertiser, 7 Waterfront Plaza, Suite 210, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., Honolulu 96813; call 529-4773; fax 529-4750; or email kokualine@staradvertiser.com.