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Honeysuckle with white powdery bloom

Ann Ennis2Ann Ennis2 Posts: 50
in Problem solving
My faithful honeysuckle has developed, virtually overnight, a white powdery bloom over a large majority of its leaves, some of which are going yellow/brown and  crisp and falling off. Please  help - what can I do to arrest this problem and save the plant? It had all its dead top growth removed in the winter, and the plant has shot up vigorously since then, covering its usual wallspace. I don't want to lose it!

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  • Ann Ennis2Ann Ennis2 Posts: 50

  • Ann Ennis2Ann Ennis2 Posts: 50

  • BobTheGardenerBobTheGardener Posts: 11,391
    It's powdery mildew, the most common disease to affect honeysuckles.  Its presence usually indicates lack of water, so give it a bucketful of water every day now until it rains.  I can see it is p[lanted close to a wall, so it will need a lot more watering then usual because walls suck-up water from the surrounding soil.
    A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 86,036
    Powdery mildew ... it attacks honeysuckle when it’s stressed by drought at the roots. 

    Give it buckets and buckets of water over the root area today then two buckets of water a day for a week. 

    After that two buckets of water three times a week from now until mid September. 

    Next year start the 3 times a week regime in March and carry on until mid September. 

    They really hate dry roots. 

    Hope that helps. 😊 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • Ann Ennis2Ann Ennis2 Posts: 50
    Thank you both so  much! I am on to it right now
  • mo27_50mo27_50 Posts: 2
    I planted a Honeysuckle in a large pot next to my arbour in my new garden. Had imagined sitting there with the scent of the honeysuckle enveloping me. It was growing well at first then the mildew started and gradually took over the whole plant. Do I take off the powdery leaves? Spray? I’ve tried giving it more water but makes no difference. HELP!!!
  • Ann Ennis2Ann Ennis2 Posts: 50
    I have heard that potassium bicarbonate, a natural fungicide, sprayed on the leaves clears the problem. However, I have not been able to find any. I have found a spray which I am now using called  Vitax Plant Guard Organic (non toxic to bees)  and I am picking off the worst affected leaves. Also giving masses of water. I think we may have to be patient to see any improvement.
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