Problem with Collard Leaves...
 

My outside leaves have these weird brownish/black spots on the bad sides of the leaves.... the inside leaves (baby leaves) do have have it. Here's a pic of the back of a leave:

[IMG]http://ft2garden.powweb.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/collardleave-small.gif[/IMG]

Here's a closeup pic:
[IMG]http://ft2garden.powweb.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/collardleavecloseup-2-small.gif[/IMG]

The spots sort of "pit" into the leaves. You can't see the spots from the front side though.

Any ideas?

Got me. Does it rub off? Do the spots enlarge with time?

It kind of reminds me what one sees on the old, yellowing leaves on the bottom of the plants when they start going south.

Scroll down this page & read this: [URL="http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/pp/notes/oldnotes/vg14.htm"][FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][SIZE=4][B]Specific Diseases[/B][/SIZE][/FONT][/URL]

[URL="http://www.urbanext.uiuc.edu/veggies/collards1.html#6"]Common Problems[/URL]

HTH

No, it's not like a mold... doesn't rub off. The leaves are actually pitted almost. But it doesn't go all the way thru to the front side. In looking at the front side of the leaves, you'd think they were just fine.

Hi, Judy.

I'm not familiar with the problems you'll experience in Alabama, but that leaf looks as if flea beetles or a similar such critter were snacking on it. Could it be this problem? If it is, there is a powdered clay that does an excellent job of protecting leaves called Kaolin Clay/Powder.

It can be mixed with water in a 50/50 mixture. Shake it up really well in a spray bottle, and spray both sides of all leaves. It'll form a very thin barrier against insects, various diseases, and even sunburn. It is water soluble, so it must be reapplied after each rain or overhead watering. It is organic and safe to ingest.

I hope you find this helpful.

Michael

Got compost?

Hi Magnolia,

I seen this description before on my Kai Lan and I never know what caused it... glad you asked, thanks!

I found out this too:

[QUOTE] Problems:

Several worms (imported cabbageworm, cabbage looper, diamondback moth caterpillar) and harlequin bugs are the major insect problems. [COLOR=DarkRed][B][I]Aphids can also be a serious problem, especially during cool weather. [/I][/B][/COLOR]
Common disease problems include black rot, downy mildew and Alternaria leaf spot. Fusarium yellows may be a problem on summer-grown collards.
[/QUOTE] Horticulture Specialist, Clemson University. On this page: [URL="http://hgic.clemson.edu/factsheets/hgic1307.htm"]Collards ([I]Brassica oleracea[/I], Acephala Group)[/URL]

It doesn't look like flea beetles to me. Flea beetle damage, in my experience, leaves more spots and the spots are uniform in size. It looks more like disease than pest damage to me, judging from the photo.