Whats happening with this hedge?
caz11
Posts: 25
I have an a elaeagnus hedge next to a laurel hedge and both seem to be suffering at the moment. The elaeagnus leaves seem covered in a powdery sticky substance (and a sticky pile on the floor) which on researching as far as I can tell looks like elaeagnus sucker. When we first moved here a few years ago there was a similar pile of this substance on the floor which I was told was from aphids - and it was - there were loads of them so I sprayed with washing up liquid/garlic spray and they went and the hedge was fine... up until this past couple of weeks, but can't actually see any bugs this time!
The leaves on the laurel hedge next to it are covered in holes, and there is also some of this sticky substance appearing on some of those leaves as well - has this infestation moved over to the laurel and causing the hole damage?
What can I do to save these? I read the RHS says that laurel plants usually grow through it (always been perfectly fine up until this last few weeks), but not sure about the elaeganus, as I don't want this sticky substance all over the floor all the time but would hate to cut them down if they can be saved.
Posts
Like aphids the suckers exude honeydew. you can treat them in the same way as aphids but the plants will grow new leaves in the spring.
If you live in Derbyshire, as I do.
Just to re visit this, the hedge in question is still suffering from the problems mentioned and my washing up liquid/garlic spray on the elaeagnus doesn't seem to be working (unless it needs to be stronger or used more than once every few days?)
Does anyone know what else I can do?
I would use a systemic insecticide on the elaeagnus.
Thanks for the suggestion, I am trying to adopt an organic approach to gardening and was wondering if there is anything I can use that isn't introducing more chemicals to the garden? Or am I being too naive
I not that keen on using chemicals in the garden either, but they do work better if the problem is bad. I use it on a large elaeagnus in my garden with the same problem, It works for quite a while , but the pests do return. You could try an organic pest spray .