Dahlia Leaves Have Turned Black

Question From: Palm Springs, California, United States
Q: Hi nancy i hope you can help me i went on holiday and wen i came back i notice that the leaves on my dalhia have went black.what can i do ?

A: If the leaves have black spots your dahlias may have leaf smut, a fungal disease. You can try treating them with a fungicide. I suggest you take samples of the leaves to your local independent garden center that sells these flowers, for an accurate diagnosis and recommendation of a fungicide. Best And Happy Yardening, Nancy