Ornamental & Tree Diseases

What's the powdery stuff on the leaves and flowers of my crepe myrtles? It looks as if though someone had sprinkled talcum powder on the plants, and this stuff (whatever it is) is really making my crape myrtles look bad. I need help!

No doubt about it - powdery mildew is attacking your crepe myrtles. This fungus disease reduces the ornamental value and weakens plants by attacking buds, blooms, young leaves, and growing tips. Powdery mildew is easily identified by the grayish-white powdery growth (it does look as if the affected parts have been sprinkled with talcum powder). Control of this disease requires sanitary procedures as well as application of certain fungicides. Or for if you plan future plantings of this landscape favorite, consider one of the newer powdery mildew resistant cultivars. The control procedures, as well as a listing of resistant varieties, are included in a Plant Pathology Infobyte "Insect and Disease Checkup for Crepe Myrtles."