i was told that our avoavocados had a problem with spring bugs. it became worst and worst the leaves and stem are getting spotty and so is the chillin gava. we found out that it is RUST " please help! is chemicals the only way to save our trees. we only planted them in sept, this year....
We had a bad rust problem last year - huge pustules of rust on the backs of leaves... Many of the leaves dropped off and the trees didn't look the best. We manured and mulched and this year have not seen a single bit. The trees are thriving. BUT, these are poplars, decidious and every leaf that fell would have blown away (this is a windy block). They were suffereing a bit of stress from lack of water. We were told the mulch (barley straw) would increase the humidity and make the problem worse, but this has not happened. Fertilize the trees and keep them watered so they are not under any stress and let the trees' natural defences get a chance to work.
Depending on the type of rust, lime sulfur or perhaps straight sulfur could help you out. Chemicals, yes, but organic ones. Just don't get them in your eyes. Google 'organic rust control' for details Rich
