This is an indication of a fungal infection. Fungal infections are usually the result of warm temperatures, high humidity and low light levels. Treat the plants with a systemic fungicide such as Phyton 27.

It is most likely the Indian Meal Moth. It feeds on all kinds of grains, flour, dried fruits and other dried food items. Animal food is also a source of infestation. Review fact sheet FS454 "Food Infesting Insects in the Home".

Black spots on flowers are usually caused by Botrytris, a fungus. The problem is caused by poor air circulation and too much moisture. The remedy is to increase air circulation and reduce the humidity.

Blackspot is a fungus that causes black spots about 1/16 to 1/2 inches in diameter to form on the leaves and sometimes stems. The infected leaves later turn yellow around the spots and eventually fall from the plant. In bad cases, blackspot can severely defoliate a rose bush. The conditions that promote blackspot are wet leaves, splashing water and warm temperatures. Here are some ways to combat blackspot. Most of these methods also apply to preventing and treating powdery mildew.

The old leaves naturally turn yellow and fall off as new leaves are produced. If your new leaves start to turn yellow, the first thing to check is the amount of light your orchid is receiving (review the culture sheet for the genus/species of your orchid). If light is not a problem, then check to see if you orchid is being subjected to low temperatures. There are also orchids that will lose all of their leaves naturally like the Dendrobium nobile hybrids do and will appear to be a "dead stick.

A fungus called Blackspot. It is a common disease in our humid summers. Spraying a fungicide and increasing sun and circulation helps reduce this disease.

Black spots are endemic in a number of varieties of orchids, most notably those in the Oncidium or Oncidium family intergenerics. These spots are not a sign of disease. They cannot be removed, and will not spread from plant to plant. You can think of them as freckles. These spots are generally small and dry. If, however, your plant suddenly develops large black spots, particularly if they are moist, this could be a sign of disease.

This is generally a leaf rot caused by types of fungi that are commonly classified as Cercospora or Colletotrichum. Many times this rot will start out as yellow spots, gradually turning to a brown or black color. Note that certain plants such as most Oncidium hybrids often get several small black spots on the leaves due to the sun. In this case it is natural spotting and will not harm the plant.

A yeast infection could. One of the most common being Red Yeast or Ptyrosporin. You may want to get an opinion from a veterinarian as to whether your Maltese might have clogged tear ducts. There are methods to irrigate or surgically open them.

That's a fungal leaf spot called black spot. Some varieties are highly susceptible to it and will require weekly spraying with a systemic insecticide just to exist. Without the protection the plants grow stemmy and weak. Other types, including the recognized EarthKind roses identified by Texas A&M, are far less prone to the disease and can exist without heroic spraying.

Look beyond the discoloration for piercing, sucking insects that are causing the discoloration. Often aphids, whiteflies and scale insects are feeding on the undersides of leaves and along stems and producing excreta that falls on the leaves. A sooty mold fungus then lives on the nutrient-rich excreta to produce the unsightly leaves. Some insect activity and sooty mold growth can usually be ignored, usually on older trees.

Older leaves die - this is the orchids' trick to living indefinitely: they discard the oldest parts of the plant as they grow new shoots.

The black spots are a fungus disease called Tar Spot. It infects Norway maple (including all of the horticultural forms such as "Crimson King"), Silver maple and Freeman's maple. The disease infects leaves late in the season and has little impact on the overall health of the tree. The disease is already widespread and sanitation (leaf removal) is not effective in reducing the infestation level for the following year, so let the leaves decay under the trees to at least improve the soil health.

There are many reasons for 'bud blast', or the death of the developing bud. If the bud gets too cold, for instance from being too close to a window in the colder months, it may blast. At the other end of the spectrum, if the bud becomes overheated from too much direct sun it may blast. You can also lose buds to rot if water is allowed to remain in the crown of the plant for an extended period of time, particularly during colder temperatures.

Lance Harringtion wrote "I have hard water spots on my orchids leaves, can you tell me how to remove them without hurting the plant. I have tried vinegar and water." Here is a list of possible ways to remove the hard water spots. Thanks to all the members of OLD for their contributions on this subject. This makes the leaves clean and shiny. It also lasts a long time. This will not hurt the leaves the way general "leaf shine" type products may do.

There are several ways to prevent darkening of fruit; use pure ascorbic acid or ascorbic acid mixtures. Citric acid or lemon juice may sometimes be used but are not as effective as ascorbic acid. Some fruits which are to be cooked before serving may also be steamed to prevent browning.

Nashville tap water contains approximately 1 ppm phosphate. Available iron will chemically combine with this phosphate forming a compound which is insoluble by the plants. An iron deficiency condition known as iron chlorosis may result in these plants. The plants turn yellow and the leaves and stems both become very brittle. Fertilizers containing iron supplements will correct this condition.

Yellow leaves can be a symptom of overwatering or a mineral deficiency. Clematis need regular watering but is it is important not to let them become waterlogged. Clematis are heavy feeders. The ACS endorses Gro-Power Fertilizer because it is an organic soil conditioner as well as a fertilizer and it contains the necessary minerals to keep clematis healthy.