Identify problem with Pieris droopy, mottled leaves, red/black spots

Vanlyn

Hi everyone,

I am hoping someone can help me identify the problems with this Pieris in our garden. We inherited this plant and believe it to be quite old as it is approximately 6ft tall and has bark that is peeling of its trunk. 

I noticed a while ago that its leaves are drooping and mottled in appearance, there are also red/black spots all over it. It sits beneath a tree and we do not have acidic soil. I was thinking it may be infested with Pieris lacebug but there is little to no excrement beneath its leaves.

I was hoping someone could help identify what is wrong with it - so that we can rectify it and give it a new lease of life.

I attached some images.

Thank you in advance for your help.



 

Pianoplayer

Hi - sorry to say that the mottled appearance does look like lace bug damage. I guess at this time of year, the bugs themselves wouldn't be around - maybe damage from previous years?
https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?pid=663

One thing you could do is ensure that the plant gets a really good feed with ericaceous food/sequestered iron to ensure it isn't chlorotic (can happen with acid-preferring plants) - the healthier it is, the more it will be able to survive the bugs.

Sorry, hope this helps.

Novice23

I had a Rhododendron that looked like this.  I gave it lots of feed, mulched with ericaceous compost and watered it well all of the year.  It took time but the colour returned, and the flower buds this year look good.  Not sure if this could be saved in the same way, just my experience.