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I'm a crepe myrtle newbie. I purchased a tree that is 3 1/2 ft and now have aphids and mold. The leaves are turning yellow and brown and falling. What do I do? Thank you!

The mold is usually from aphid...leavings...and will disappear when the aphids do.

Aphids are not sturdy creatures. If you have a hose-end sprayer, fill it with about 3 ounces of any liquid soap that isn't anti-bacterial (it's bad for the soil) and about 1/4 oz of any liquid cooking oil you have on-hand. Corn, canola, olive, doesn't matter.

Attach to the hose, set it for about 3 oz per gallon, and thoroughly spray your crepe myrtle, soaking the front and back of each leaf, all branches, and twigs. Don't worry about runoff. Plan on bathing afterward.

Check in a week or so. Repeat as necessary.