Quote:
Originally Posted by 784caroline
Check the back sides of the leaves...if they are white you have scale...that will kill a plant but you can spray to get rid of it.
|
If, it is scale what you see i white puffs. You will see them on the stems as well as the leaves. The white puffs are actually a protective case, hive, for the insects eggs. They can be killed with insecticide oil spray, a systemic insecticide
absorbed into the plant, or easiest wait till the time they hatch, up north it was in the spring, when they are out f their protective case they are easily killed.
We all often kill plants with too much care, wrong care at the wrong time.
To the original post, as I tried to say previously. Your bush is likely damaged from the hurricane. There are usually seveeral problems at the same time. Fungus, insects seem to sense when a plant is weakened.
I would cut out the dead branches. Simple solution to the problem-surgery. I would take the material you have removed to the cooperative extension so you will know the problem. There is no need to apply insecticide if it is a fungus or a water problem. All plants are closing down for, "winter," you do not want to force new growth now. Any new growth will be damaged when we get a cold day or week or???.
It is getting cooler both insects and fungus are slowing down. What you are asking about is ole,previous damage-THERE IS NO RUSH TO DO ANYTHING. I would lightly apply sulpher around the root zone-not on the stems, Lightly would be about a cup. You can do that now because it takes about a year to work. I would try to put more on the side next to your home. Our homes are all built on a cement slab. Cement for many years after it is poured gives off limestone which makes the soil even more alkaline
then it is.
You can buy dusting sulpher at Sparrs among other places.
PROPERLY APPLIED, it will kill most fungus, many insects and acidify the soil. Easy CHEAP solution. In the spring, end of march to mid april I would apply one of the ORGANIC acidifying fertilizers such as Hollytone. Again, READ the instructions. It takes quite a bit more than most people dust on.
GIVE IT TIME TO RECOVER.