English Ivy Leaves Have Little Black Dots On Undersides

Question From: j. fleishman - New York, New York, United States
Q: hi --- i live in nyc in a 5th floor walk up & hv 2 window boxes facing south filled w english ivy --- while the ivy is doing well - i noticed yesterday that on a number of new shoots - on the underside of the leaves & on the tenderest part of the stems were . . . little black dots these reached approx 2" down --- i promptly cut them off - my Q s what are these ????? if they r mites as as i suspect what can i do so they do not infect the whole box ---- thank u - judith---

A: Sounds like bacterial leaf spot. Bonide's liquid copper spray fungicide should take care of it - there is a concentrated version is also a ready to use version if you prefer. Follow the directions. You will probably need to make several applications. Be sure to spray the undersides of the leaves. Best And Happy Yardening, Nancy