Orange spots on Ume

[BonsaiEngineer1493]

Hey,

I just want to hear your thoughts about these orange spots on the bark. A few people told me it looks normal. I would just like a few more people to add on. I'm just worried it could be something fungal. I did rub on it, but only the layer above the external layer of the bark comes off so it could be part of the texture of the bark. It comes of like a powder residue.

Thanks,
Nick

 

[edprocoat]

Nick that looks like rust, or orange rust which is a fungus. Get a fungicide as it will hurt the plant and left alone long enough could kill it.

ed

 

[BonsaiEngineer1493]

Are you sure? I read that orange rust
Signs are yellowish and orangish spots on leaves

 

[nathanbs]

Completely normal for a young ume

 

[edprocoat]

Nick, years ago I collected a cedar in Ohio, looked like a Juniper but they call them cedar here. It had the rust on the foliage and on the trunk in more irregular patches than what yours are, but what makes me think thats it is you said it comes off above the bark like a powder residue. Mine would rub off leaving the orange on the bark and powdery orange on my fingers. It weakened the tree and killed it, this is a common problem on these trees in Ohio.

ed

 

[BonsaiEngineer1493]

That's good to know edprocoat. Nathanbs, the powdery residue when removing is also normal, right?