Hydrangea diseases

Hydrangea is an incredibly magnificent, magical plant that adorns many gardens with numerous inflorescences, as well as rooms, loggias, front gardens, parks and alleys. It blooms with a lush, abundant crown in various colors - white, blue, pink, scarlet, lilac and other flowers. It is not surprising that everyone wants to enjoy this enchanting beauty as long as possible and avoid possible factors that prevent this - hydrangea diseases and pests.

Hydrangea is a fairly resistant plant to diseases and pests, but in any case, it needs to be looked after and monitored regularly. Weather conditions, non-observance of agrotechnical recommendations for care - all this leads to the development of dangerous diseases, as well as to attacks of insect pests. In this case, it is very important to find the root of the problem in a timely manner, and start eliminating it as early as possible.

In this article, you can get acquainted in detail, which diseases and harmful insects threaten the health of hydrangeas, which ones to recognize the infection and how to deal with it. And also the ways to prevent diseases and attacks of insect pests are indicated.

External causes of irritation due to which hydrangea diseases occur

Not only sores and harmful insects, but also unsuitable conditions for plant growth can have an adverse effect on the external characteristics, growth, development, health and even on the life of a plant.

Consider, for example, what might affect yellowness hydrangea foliage:

• scorching sun rays. Hydrangea prefers to grow in shade, she is afraid of the scorching rays of the sun, which can easily harm her;
• excess moisture. Hydrangea is a moisture-loving plant, but everything should be in moderation. Waterlogging of the soil has a bad effect on plant health;
• lack or insufficient fertilization. Everyone dreams that the hydrangea will amaze your eyes with a lush, gorgeous crown - for this you need to make sure to regularly fertilize;
• low soil acidity. Hydrangeas need acidic soil (pH 3-6). From how acidic the soil is, you can even determine by the shade of the inflorescences. If the acidity of the soil is high, the flowers are blue, purple. If the soil is neutral acidity - then white or pinkish tint. To increase the level of acidity, sometimes you need to add lemon juice at the time of watering (3-4 drops per 1 liter of water).

If you find that foliage dries up, and then completely falls off, then we look for the reasons in the following:

• lack of moisture. Hydrangeas need to be provided with regular, abundant watering, especially if hot weather is established;
• dry air. This problem often applies to those plants that grow at home, in greenhouses and in other areas. It is very important to monitor and maintain a normal level of humidity in the room, as well as to ventilate it in a timely manner;
• lack of nutrients, nutrients. Hydrangea needs feeding once every 1-1.5 weeks. This is especially necessary in the bud formation phase and at the time of flowering.

It happens that blackening can be seen on the green foliage of the hydrangea. They are both dry and wet - in any case, look for the source of trouble in external irritants.

Blackening hydrangea

Dry blackening - when brown spots appear on the edge of the foliage, leading to further drying and even to their greenery falling off. Consider the following possible causes:

• hard water.Always, before watering the hydrangea, let the water settle for at least a day;
• scorching sun and, as a result, a burn. As mentioned earlier, try to protect the plant from sunlight, choose a shaded place for planting them.

Wet blackening - this is when the foliage has darkened and became limp. Possible causes of wet blackening:

• drafts and temperature drops;
• excess dampness, reconsider the watering regime;
• dense soil, thanks to it, the access of oxygen and nutrient moisture to the roots is disturbed, and dampness is also retained.

Hydrangea chlorosis

Hydrangea chlorosis

Or as it is called in another way - iron chlorosis. This is a disease that occurs when there is an insufficient amount of iron in the soil or when the plant itself has ceased to absorb iron for some reason.

The most important sign of hydrangea chlorosis is lightening and yellowing foliage, while veins remain a rich green hue.

Same to featured chlorosis can be attributed to the following changes:

• foliage decreases in size;
• twisting greens;
• deformation, distortion of buds;
• drying up of shoots.

When the first signs of iron chlorosis hydrangea disease are detected, immediate therapy is needed - feeding the flowering bushes with special, iron-containing agents in the form of organometallic complexes. These drugs include - "Antichlorosis" or "Ferovit".

Medicinal "potion", if desired, is prepared at home independently, for this, dilute 2 g of ferrous sulfate in 1 liter of water, as well as four grams of citric acid. The leaves are treated with the prepared liquid, and when the disease is started, then water the plant at the root.

There is another method of treating chlorosis, for this they use potassium nitrate and iron sulfate. It is necessary to dilute 40 g of potassium nitrate in a bucket of settled water, and water the plant under the root about 3 times with the resulting liquid. After 3 days, in the same proportions, a solution of iron sulfate is made, after which the hydrangea is watered.

Fungal diseases of hydrangea and their treatment

Such sores cause pathogenic fungi, which pose a danger to the development and life of the plant. Treatment in case of infection is very complex and protracted. Most often, pathogenic fungi live and multiply where the humidity is high, and where the soil and the plant itself are infected.

White rot

This is a fungal sore, in which the pathogen itself is located in the soil, and, accordingly, the root system of the plant falls under its negative influence. As a result - absorption, non-receipt of vital elements necessary for shoots, after which the plant darkens and dies.

Hydrangea White Rot

The main signs indicating that the plant is infected with white rot:

• young processes begin to darken;
• stems from the bottom begin to rot;
• a whitish coating appears, resembling cotton wool.

If the plant is not treated, then later sclerotia - black specks - are formed on the "cotton wool". If the disease is already in the white bloom phase, in order to avoid contamination of other plants, it is recommended to destroy it.

How to treat?

In the fight against this disease, Bordeaux mixture is used, as well as specialized fungicides - "Fitosporin", Copper oxychloride, all of which can be purchased in stores.

Gray rot

Fungal sore, in which, first of all, the leaves and young soft tissues are affected. The reason is often waterlogging, that is, very abundant watering, or too dense greenery or a close planting of hydrangeas. A moist environment is ideal for the rapid development of the fungus.

The main signs indicating that the plant is infected with gray rot:

• softness and wateriness of hydrangea tissues;
• gray bloom on foliage;
• during drought, the affected areas dry out and crumble, leaving holes in this place.

How to treat?

If symptoms of gray rot are found, it is necessary to immediately remove the infected areas of the hydrangea. The plant should be treated with potassium permanganate. Also, "Chistotsvet", "Fundazol", "Skor", which you can purchase in specialized stores, do an excellent job with gray mold.

The highly effective fungicide - "Rovral Flo 255 SC" has shown its abilities well, they need to process the infected bush a couple of times, while maintaining a period of three weeks between treatments.

Septoriasis

Fungal disease, when foliage is affected, and in a neglected form - young shoots and petioles.

The main signs indicating that the hydrangea is infected with septoria:

• dark, brown spots on the leaves, the diameter of which can reach 5-6 mm .;
• dying off and falling of foliage;
• brown spots on the shoots (if the disease is running).

How to treat?

It is necessary to treat the plant immediately after detecting signs, otherwise the hydrangea will remain without foliage and eventually die.

To combat the septoria hydrangea, damaged areas are destroyed, after which the flower is treated with means that contain copper, these include copper sulfate, "Profit" and others.

Powdery mildew

A disease of fungal origin, in which, as a rule, weak, young plants are affected. It often develops if they overdo it with nitrogenous fertilizers, and if the plant is not watered, or they do it in insufficient quantities.

The main signs indicating that the hydrangea is infected with this fungal disease:

• pale yellow and pale green spots on the leaves that turn dark;
• on the seamy side of the foliage, a gray-lilac bloom is formed.

How to treat?

If the hydrangea is not treated, the foliage falls off, the infected shoots undergo deformation, which does not give a chance to survive the frosts, and subsequently the plant dies entirely.

To combat powdery mildew, first of all, completely destroy the affected areas, and use fungicides - "Fitosporin", "Alirin". If the stage of the disease is neglected, then it is recommended to use stronger fungicides, such as Topaz, Skor and others.

Rust

A disease that occurs with an excess of inorganic and organic substances containing nitrogen, if the plant is waterlogged, and if the flowers are planted very closely to each other.

Hydrangea rust

The main signs that indicate that the hydrangea is infected with rust:

• small rusty spots;
• drying and falling of foliage;
• the appearance of brown growths, from which brown dust is poured.

Such "rusty pollen" is a spore of a fungus that easily scatters with the wind and infect neighboring plants.

How to treat?

First of all, the affected elements are removed, after which the plant is treated with copper oxychloride - forty grams of the substance per ten liters of water. Also in the fight against rust have shown good effectiveness drugs - "Topaz", "Ordan", which you can buy in specialized stores.

Hydrangea viral diseases with a description: ring spot

It is the most common viral disease found in hydrangeas.

The main signs indicating ring spice infestation of hydrangea are:

• the formation of a spot on the foliage in the form of rings, the diameter of which is in the region of two millimeters;
• foliage deformation - shrinking, after which they fall off.

In hydrangea affected by ring spot, weak small flowers, or their absence at all, as a result of a complete loss of flowering ability.

Hydrangea ring spot

Getting sick, the plant most often dies, and the plant must be destroyed. There are no drugs aimed at combating this ailment.

Therefore, in this case, prevention of annular spotting is necessary. To do this, before planting, only strong, whole, healthy seedlings should be selected, because it is through them that the disease is transmitted.If you plant with cuttings, then you need to make sure that the mother plant is 100% healthy.

Diseases and pests of hydrangea

Most often, the following insect pests attack the hydrangea:

Leaf aphid

This small insect finds the soft spots of the plant and sucks the juice out of it. Aphids leave a liquid that is food for the mob. Leaf aphids reproduce at lightning speed.

Full-fledged colonies are created under the leaves, drinking all the useful juices from the hydrangea. Due to the lack of essential trace elements, hydrangea begins to grow very slowly, in the worst case, the foliage turns yellow, changes shape, and the plant begins to die off.

How to fight?

If there are not many aphids, it does not threaten the life of the hydrangea. Enemies of aphids are ladybugs, lacewings - they help in the fight against it.

If there is a lot of this insect, then the plant is in danger. Aphids do not stick tightly to the foliage, hence sometimes, to combat it, it is enough to douse the plant with a good pressure of water, this should be done carefully, without damaging the plant itself. A soap solution has also shown high efficiency in the fight against this harmful insect.

If there are a lot of aphids, then insecticides will come to the rescue, for example, “Spark"," Fitoverma "" Akarina ". You can buy them in specialized stores, you must use them according to the instructions.

Spider mite

An insect that is practically invisible. It sucks out juice, it is especially active during the hot period. The tick is "located" on the back of the leaflet.

Spider mite on hydrangea

Signs of spider mite attacks:

• thin cobweb;
• with severe damage - yellow spots on the foliage, on the stalks;
• rolling leaves.

If hot, dry weather is established, a harmful insect can entangle a hydrangea in a week. Then cobwebs and ticks will be clearly visible. As a result, the foliage dries up and crumbles.

How to fight?

If you start the fight against spider mites in a timely manner, this is done with soapy liquid. If there are a lot of insects, then you should resort to using insecticides - "Tiofos", "Lightning", "Fitovrem", following the instructions from the manufacturers.

Garden slug

The most ideal conditions for this pest are dense plantings, a shady area, and dampness. The slug eats not only the foliage of the hydrangea, but also the ends of the shoots.

How to fight?

Many people collect these pests by hand, removing the places where eggs are chipped. And also resort to the help of chemicals, for example, "Molluscicide".

How to prevent hydrangea diseases

Remember, it is always easier to organize prevention than to fight against sores and pests later. If the plant is healthy, then the chance that it will get sick is very low, and in case of illness, it will transfer it without any problems. And vice versa, if the plant is weak, then diseases will not take long, and pest attacks will also cause great damage to the health of the plant.

In order for the hydrangea to grow a strong, healthy plant with lush, abundant flowers, it is necessary to prevent diseases and attacks of insect pests, namely:

• choose the perfect hydrangea spot. Avoid sunlight, as the plant will easily burn and the leaves will begin to wilt. Choose a shaded place;
• regular watering. Hydrangea is a moisture-loving plant, therefore it should be watered regularly and abundantly. If the weather is hot, or vice versa, heavy rains - reconsider the watering regime;
• When choosing soil for a flower, avoid dense, weighty, alkaline soil. A light, loose soil that allows oxygen and moisture to pass through is ideal for the plant. And remember that the soil must be high in acidity;
• plant feeding. In the spring, these should be nitrogen components of top dressing, in the summer - phosphorus-potassium fertilizers, and in the fall - phosphorus fertilizers;
• treatment of hydrangea with copper sulfate (0.1 kg of copper sulfate per bucket of settled water). This must be done before the onset of the growing season. Or treat the hydrangea with the following preparations - Topaz, Iskra and others.

If you follow all the recommendations specified in the article, as well as applying your personal experience, you will definitely grow a healthy, strong hydrangea with lush, beautiful flowers, which will delight you and your household for a long time.