What is Eating on my Hydrangeas

[AnneHaynes]

I've been reading the blog and while I think I have slugs I want an experts help. I've added two pictures so you can see the leaves. I'm going to try the beer thing tonight - to confirm it's slugs. Do you think I have a slug problem? How do I find out what bugs are on my plants - are there any other resources with pictures?

[AnneHaynes]

So, I used beer last night and when I woke up this morning the only thing in the container were roaches!!!! YUK I didn't see any slugs :confused:

[Chris]

Umm... that looks fungal to me, not insect. But it could just be the picture.

If it is fungal, its common, it happens to me. I tend ot get it on newly planted hydrangeas in their first year, almost always. They just aren't strong enough to fight it off at the time, but I rarely get it in later years. Though I tend to get it more if the hydrangea gets any direct sunlight, which is odd.

Anyways, there are topical fungicides like daconil, or systemic ones that you add to a watering can and water around the base of the plant.

But in anycase the problem should not be deadly, just unsightly.