The flannel shrub inspires many hobby gardeners with its enchanting blooms. However, this is endangered if the plant is attacked by diseases and pests. Quick help is needed now.
The flannel bush is relatively robust, but it is not completely immune to diseases or pests. But what distinguishes it from many other plants is the self-protection that the plant exhibits. Because the dense leaf hair keeps many pests away. But not all, because aphids are rather unimpressed by the hair. Diseases such as mildew and root rot can also occur. But here too, your plant is not left to its fate, because there are proven countermeasures.
Pest infestation with aphids
The first aphids are already on their way in early summer. Then watch your flannel bush closely. The undersides of the leaves in particular are popular collecting points. If you don't do anything about the annoying parasites, the aphids will soon spread all over the plant. As a result, black sooty mold can form. Timely intervention is therefore important!
➜ How to get rid of aphids
❍ Soap solution:
To do this, mix one liter of water with 15 milliliters of liquid curd soap or soft soap and alcohol. In addition, a drop of detergent is added to the solution, which serves as an emulsifier. Then spray the plant with the mix every two to three days until all aphids are destroyed.
❍ Nettle manure:
You can also make nettle manure yourself and use it against the little pests. Cut the stinging nettles and let them ferment in a covered container with water in a warm place for a few days. Then pour the broth - which doesn't smell good - into a hand sprayer and spray the flannel bush with it. Repeat the process several times a day or two apart.
Flannelette affected by root rot
He althy shrubs are largely resistant. With good care you can prevent root rot for fungiare responsible, also prevent. Root rot in particular usually only occurs when the watering is incorrect or the soil is over-fertilized.
You can recognize the disease by brown shoots. The plant also smells very musty to rotten near the ground. In addition, the flannel bush only grows poorly and does not flower.
➜ Measures against root rot
Dig up the flannel bush or get it out of the bucket. Shake the soil off the roots and see which parts of the roots are affected. Cut off affected parts generously and then plant the flannel bush in fresh soil.
Then it's just a matter of watering and fertilizing the flannel bush correctly. You should only water the shrub again when the substrate has dried well. You should only fertilize again when the shrub has recovered and is well established.
Infestation of powdery mildew
If a whitish mealy coating forms on the leaves, it is powdery mildew - a fungal infection. The foliage later turns yellow to brown before finally falling off. Before resorting to a fungicide, try using an unusual but harmless agent to drive off the mildew.
➜ Measures against powdery mildew
Mildew is great to combat with milk. However, it is important that the milk is fresh, so please do not use UHT milk. Because there are microorganisms in the milk that kill the fungal spores. The lecithin in the milk also has a positive effect.
Simply mix 900 milliliters of decalcified water or rainwater with 100 milliliters of fresh milk. In addition, a dash of washing-up liquid is added to the mixture, which ensures better adhesion to the leaves. Then spray the leaves with the solution every two to three days.