Black Stem Mold - Charcoal Rot?

[jojosamdulin]

I need advice. I first noticed that some branches of one of my plants (outdoor grow) were yellowing about a month ago. I thought it was a nutrient deficiency, but I’ve been treating it regularly. Then I noticed that the yellowing branches had all developed dark brown spots on the main stem completely surrounding the yellowing branch. These spots appeared first towards the bottom of the plant and have spread quickly. Now, the patches have also developed what seems to be a dark mold. The patches then spread to my other plants and the same thing is happening. Most of the patches are on the main stems of the plant. Anywhere the main stem surrounding a branch stays green, the branch is very healthy. Some of the patches have appeared a little up a single branch and away from the main stem. I have one plant left that doesn’t have any patches on the main stem, just a couple branches affected. The other two plants might be lost causes, but I’d really like to save what I can. Should I cut away the yellowing branches? Is there anything I can do to the affected main stems?

 

[Beachwalker]

I could be wrong but I think it's possible it's russet mites

 

[jojosamdulin]

I could be wrong but I think it's possible it's russet mites View attachment 1021547View attachment 1021548

I think the coloring is too dark for russet mites, they seem to always be yellow/green, this is definitely more black/gray. Thank you though! Maybe it’s some other type of mite?

 

[Beachwalker]

I think the coloring is too dark for russet mites, they seem to always be yellow/green, this is definitely more black/gray. Thank you though! Maybe it’s some other type of mite?

agree, it does look dark, still not sure what it is, hoping to find out? I would have taken that branch off burned it and treated that whole plant tho

Edit: while I've seen them range from green to brown as in the pictures I posted above, russet mites are named after the color russet

I do think it's possible that they are some type of Mite, and they seem to be almost stripping the bark of the plant

Can you knock some of it off and look at it under magnification?