Question
Hello James,
I live in the Piney Woods of Southeast Texas and I am trying to grow red tips. However, the leaves turn a rust color and fall off. The local nursery has quit sekking them due to rust. Is there an herbicide I can use to save my red tips. They surround my vegetable garden acting as a fence.Thank You, RJ


Answer
Hi RJ, Your nursery is wise.  They're in the rose family and get a nasty leaf spot disease. They are a very high maintenance plant.  You'll have to spray them every two weeks during the growing season.  I'd use propiconazole.  It's an excellent systemic fungicide. They'll stay clean if you stay on the spray program. Jim