Honeysuckle problem - pest or fungus?

millymolly2012

hi all

I'm having some problems with some newly planted honeysuckle. 

Some of the leaves have literally gone black overnight, I did spray bug clear as they were having problems, even after soapy wash & neem oil! 

Im thinking some may be slugs, so I've put egg shell all around the bottom but there's other damage & I don't know what it is - is it a fungus instead? It was growing fine, then boom, leaves destroyed ????

Dovefromabove

Your honeysuckle looks pretty good to me. Leaves will not remain perfect throughout the summer, but yours aren't bad at all. There could be a bit of powdery mildew which can indicate a drought problem. 

Clear the grass away from around the base. It needs a clear circle of  about 1 metre diameter otherwise the grass will compete for nutrition and moisture.

Honeysuckle is a very thirsty plant. Give yours a bucket full of water at least twice a week until the end of September, whether it rains or not. 

Last edited: 26 July 2017 22:47:10

millymolly2012

Thanks for the information, I'm new to gardening so panic when I think it doesn't look good because I don't know what to expect - som much conflicting info on the internet, that's why I joined here. 

I'll remove more grass as you suggested & I'm definitely not giving it enough water, I do water it on warm days but otherwise once a week with a feed but by the looks of it no way near enough! 

I'll a fungus spray too.

Dovefromabove

Your honeysuckle will also need some wires or a sturdy trellis to climb up ... If won't cling to the fence by itself. 

millymolly2012

Thanks Mike & Dove 

dove I have a massive cane that is attached to the post, the honeysuckle has then been secured to that - see below, I was just going to keep adding the screws & support  along the fence & let them grow toward each other so I have a panel of honeysuckle. 

It was a last minute attempt as initially I planted all 3 in a trough, under the trellis on the other side of the garden, which is gravelled now, but soil still underneath & then read they need to be 2 metres apart so had to dig them up & find somewhere to put them, which was only this part of my small garden - will that work or would you get more trellis - also do you cut honeysuckle back to the ground & when? 

Thanks, much appreciated & I will try not to worry as much when I see damaged plants, I guess that comes with experience! 

t

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millymolly2012

Hi Hazel

thanks for your reply. I was thinking of more canes etc or a trellis as I've now found out they can spread quite wide. That will treach me to order/plant something I don't research first or better still now I've found this site - just ask. Everyone's been so helpful ?