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Mexican Heather Cuphea spp. Propagation Cuphea is usually propagated by softwood stem tip cuttings in early summer. Rooting should occur in 3-6 weeks under intermittent mist. Pests and Diseases The current Insect Management Guide for Commercial Foliage and Woody Ornamentals can be found at http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/IG012. The current Professional Disease Management Guide for Ornamental Plants can be found at http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/PP123. Root rot diseases (Phytophthora and Pythium spp., Rhizoctonia solani) Recognition: Above-ground symptoms are poor growth, thinning of the foliage, and yellowing of leaves, with the oldest foliage affected first. These symptoms may be one-sided on the plant. Wet rots cause a soft decay of the outer layers of roots, which can be easily stripped off between two fingers, leaving the firm, white stele intact as in the photo below. Contributing factors: The disease is triggered by periods of excessive soil moisture. Conditions that favor disease development include planting too deep, poor drainage, shallow rooting, and poor water management. Management recommendations: Check roots of nursery-grown plants before planting into the landscape. Provide adequate drainage, and reduce irrigation. Apply labeled fungicides if problem is diagnosed early and cultural problems corrected. Commercial control measures can be found at http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/PP123. Flea beetle (Altica sp.) Recognition: The flea beetle is a metallic blue-green beetle that jumps when disturbed. The beetle emerges in early spring and may attack many plants, especially crape 1 myrtle and cuphea. The adult beetles scrape the undersurface of the leaves leaving brown splotches and severely damaging the plant. Contributing factors:. Larvae develop in high numbers on Evening Primrose weeds (Oenothera spp.) and the adults disperse to other plants. Management recommendations: Several insecticide applications targeted to the adult beetles are often necessary. Natural enemies prey upon the beetle when on its weed host, but have little impact when on other plants. Commercial pest management recommendations can be found at http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/IG012. Root knot nematodes Recognition: Poor growth, plant decline, yellowing leaves and thinning of the canopy may be symptoms of nematode infestation. Infected roots have obvious galls and may be brown and stunted. Contributing factors: The highest populations of nematodes occur in well-drained sandy soils where previous crops have supported high levels of nematodes. Management recommendations: Keep plants as healthy as possible with adequate water and fertilizer to support new roots. No chemical controls are available for use on existing plants. When replacing plants, remove all roots and replace soil. Avoid replanting with susceptible species, or treat soil before replanting. Sources: 1. Short, Donald E., Gary W. Simone and Robert A. Dunn. 2001. Commercial Ornamental Nursery Scouting Manual. University of Florida IFAS Extension SP 235. 2. University of Florida Landscape Plant propagation Information http://hort.ufl.edu/lppi/ 3. University of Florida Woody Bug Website. http://woodypest.ifas.ufl.edu/ Prepared by: Juanita Popenoe, PhD, Extension Faculty, Regional Commercial Horticulture Lake County Extension, 1951 Woodlea Rd., Tavares, FL 32778-4052 Tel.: (352) 343-4101, FAX: (352) 343-2767 January 2008 The Institute of Food and Agricultural Science (IFAS) is an Equal Opportunity Institution authorized to provide research, educational information and other services only to individuals and institutions that function without regard to race, creed, color, religion, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, political opinions or affiliations. U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, COOPERATIVE EXTENSION SERVICE, UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA, IFAS, FLORIDA A. & M. UNIVERSITY COOPERATIVE EXTENSION PROGRAM, AND BOARDS OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COOPERATING. 2