hydrangea infestation, anyone advise

 


Hello
My previously healthy hydrangea bush has developed some sort of problem,
see
attached pic. The scabs are about 3-5mm long but don't seem like the
mealy bug
or scales disease I've found info on - can anyone advise what
it is & an
effective treatment? I've tried spraying it with a
non-systemic greenfly & mite
spray but it doesn't seem to have helped.
It's still flowering ok but a fair few
leaves have died.

Thanks in advance.


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greenhouser

 


greenhouser;893260 Wrote:

attached pic. The scabs are about 3-5mm long but don't seem like the

> mealy bug

or scales disease I've found info on - can anyone advise what

> it is & an

effective treatment? I've tried spraying it with a

> non-systemic greenfly &

mite spray but it doesn't seem to have helped.

> It's still flowering ok but a

fair few leaves have died.

Hi there,

These are indeed one of the many species of the sap-sucking Cushion
Scale
Insects. They are highly resistant to most insecticides, but once
they've
attached they are immobile, so it's actually relatively easy (if
time consuming)
to remove them using a sponge and soapy water. Try to
get as many of the fluffy
white masses as possible as these can contain
eggs. Collect everything in a bowl
as you go so you can flush the whole
lot away.

Alternatively, if the infestation is really severe or has spread to
other
plants, you can use one of the "Insecticidal Soaps" based on
Potassium Salts of
Fatty Acids. These dissolve the insects exoskeletons
and are highly effective,
whilst still considered organic. Also, once
dry the spray is harmless to
Ladybirds & Lacewings which are the natural
predators of Scale Insects.


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--
Gibson

 


Many thanks for your help


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--
greenhouser

 


My once beautiful Hydrangea has the same problem but everything I have
tried
has failed. I might have to cut the bush back to base and hope for
the best.


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--
Jenevera

 


Hydrangeas are traditionally known as shade garden plants, but too much
shade
can result in reduced bloom production. hydrangeas take some time
to get
established. The first year we planted our hydrangeas would look
sad almost
every afternoon.


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gennyravells