Little Leaf on Loropetalum

Loropetalum, or Chinese fringe-flower, was introduced into the United States in 1989 and quickly became on of the most popular plants in the nursery trade. Growth abnormalities (little leaf disorder) started to become a problem on container-grown plants in pine bark substrates during the late '90s. UGA horticulturists sampled foliage from a commercial nursery was sampled for micronutrients concentrations. Initial data indicated that copper, zinc and nickel were low and could be causing the problem. In May, 2005, the scientists initiated a study at a commercial nursery in Grady County, Ga. and a second study to evaluate different rates of copper sulfate and Kocide, a copper fungicide. A new study was initiated in fall of 2005 to evaluate incorporation of copper sulfate and copper oxide into the substrate before planting. Results to date indicate that a two to three times rate of copper is required to prevent the problem. Growers have successfully saved their crops based on this research. One grower in North Georgia has had great success with just one application of foliar copper. A grower in Florida saved six acres of plants, worth an estimated $250,000. This research finding, applied across the southeastern United States, could easily have an annual economic impact of several million dollars.