Powdery Mildew

• Powdery mildew is a spore-borne infection that is most rampant during the warm, dry periods of the growing season. This fungal disease does not require water or rain to initiate the infection and its infections are most severe during the periods of high humidity. The infected soapberry develops tiny, necrotic spots that are sheltered by thin layers of powdery, white mildew. While powdery mildew infections are relatively harmless to the tree, severe powdery mildew infections cause the tree to experience some dieback and premature defoliation.
  
  

Leaf Spot

• Leaf spot is a foliage disease that destroys the soapberry's foliage. Most active during the rainy spring periods, this spore-borne fungal disease causes the infected soapberry to develop small, necrotic spots that are present throughout each infected leaf. The spots vary in color and are often encased with purplish borders. While leaf spot infections are relatively mild diseases, the soapberry that is unhealthy or weak before the infection will experience severe effects that include loss of vigor, dieback, growth stunt and premature defoliation.
  
  

Leaf Blight

• Leaf blight, or anthracnose, is an infection caused by collections of varying fungal spores. These spores travel onto the soapberry's young, developing foliage during the cool, rainy periods of spring. The growth of the infected foliage and shoots are stunted, and the foliage becomes distorted and curled. The young leaves develop large, dark-colored lesions and spots, while the mature foliage is often unaffected. Severely infected new growth, as well as developing twigs and branches, is often killed by leaf blight infections.
  
  

Control and Prevention

• Although the effects of the soapberry's foliage diseases vary, the steps towards control and prevention are quite similar. These spore-borne diseases lie dormant in defoliated debris; reduce the potential of these infections by keeping the soapberry's surroundings free of debris and fallen leaves. Treat the infected soapberry immediately upon signs of infection to achieve the best response. Prune away infected areas, if severe, and spray the tree thoroughly with a fungicidal spray designed for the soapberry's foliage diseases.