Gardenia Leaves Turned Black

Question

I have two gardenia bushes planted outside that produce a lot of blooms. Suddenly the leaves have turned black with a crispy black film that looks like it is peeling off on some of the leaves. What is the cause of this, and is there something I can do to correct it?

Answer 1

It sounds like you have sooty mold. It is normally a sign of a pest infestations. I recommend treating the mold and pests with neem oil. Here is some information that can help you:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/disease/how-to-get-rid-of-sooty-mold.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/pesticides/neem-oil-uses.htm