Unhappy Pieris?

sianrudkin

I’ve been growing a Pieris Forest Flame without any problems, from a small pot into a large shrub for nearly six years. 
Last week, I had wonderful coral coloured new leaves growing it but noticed that some of the usually white bell shaped flowers were brown. I’ve gone out today and noticed that the bright coloured leaves that were there last week are now dull and limp looking. The leaves are also showing this white mottle looking pattern on them? Could anyone please advise why this is happening and how I can make it look happy again? Many thanks. Sian. 

Lyn

That’s a bug burrowing into the leaves and sucking the sap, I would cut the affected parts right out and put in the dustbin.  Those leaves won’t recover. 
If the plant is starved or stressed in some way they are open to attack, can you plant it in the garden or at the least, put in a big pot in new compost. 

sianrudkin

Thank you so much Lyn for getting back to me. I really appreciate your help. 
I have been growing this from a small shrub in a pot for the last six years, each year re-potting it in a bigger one. I decided last year to plant in our boarder under a big bay tree. 
Now you have said that it’s a bug, it’s making me wonder about the other problems I have had in planting anything near that bay tree. Everything I plant there dies, Heathers, grasses, astilbies, bleeding heart.....everything.
I will certainly get cutting out that bug on my forest flame and will replant it into a pot again. 
Would you recommend cutting it right back as I would say nearly all of it is covered in that mottled pattern on all the mature leaves. ☹️
Thank you again. Sian. 

Lyn

I don’t know how much you need to cut Sian, but as I said, those leaves won’t recover.
i think the bay tree could be a problem, they are part of the laurel group, they contain cyanide (I think)    So yes, move it into a pot, use Ericaceous compost, they like acid soil, I wouldn’t feed it , the compost will have nutrients in for a while.  

sianrudkin

That’s great. Thank you again. Really appreciate your help and advise. Sian. 

Papi Jo

Your pieris is unfortunately a victim to the infamous andromeda lace bug. It's dying/dead.

I lost a very nice pieris to that pest some years ago. There is not much you can do.

sianrudkin

Thank you so much for your post Papi Jo. I was hoping it was something I could fix but it’s looking unlikely. 
I’ll get removing and destroying it ASAP. 
Sian. 

Lyn

Didn’t like to say, I can see you’re fond of it😢

@Papi Jo do you think the bay tree has had something to do with it? 

Papi Jo

No, I don't think so.