Rust On Plants

If you leave your car out exposed to the elements you can expect them to rust, and, if you leave plants out to the elements, they can rust too.

Even though all plants need iron, it's not the iron itself that makes a plant rust -- or shall we say, susceptible to rust.

Rust manifests itself in many favorite plants, such as apples, plums and pines, chrysanthemums, roses, snap dragons, beans, mint -- the list goes on and on.

Active in damp weather, rust's powdery appearance will turn leaves orange, yellow or brown. Leaves will get that tuckered out look, wither and fall of the plant prematurely.

The best way to have a rust free yard is by putting your plants in a sunny location and making sure water is not directly sprayed on their leaves.

If you hanker to use chemicals, a basic copper sulfate, sprayed in 10-14 day intervals will control the problem, but it won't cure the problem.