Lonicera

[goldblum]

Any help greatly appreciated..

I have four Honeysuckle plants at various positions in my garden.One has little sun,two have a half days and the fourth has a full day.All are in slightly

different soil ranging from soggy to needing regular watering.All have grown vigorously for the first year and then succumbed to some sort of fungal infection which

starts on the leaves at the bottom of the plant in early summer (which is now as everything is three weeks early because of April warmth) and spreads quite quickly

inhibiting further growth.None of my plants have flowered for the last two years.I put a new Lonicera in four weeks ago and already it is showing signs of disease:

Brown spots develop on the leaves which eventually encompass the whole leaf and wither it.I have it narrowed down to either leaf rust or some kind of blight.

Problem seems connected to humidity?

Any ideas?

Many thanks.

[Simpo Two]

I don't know this one but if you can post photos, esp close-ups, it would help the others.

[goldblum]

Will do.

[goldblum]

First image ,(sorry v.old Olympus!) leaf developing white mould down centre vein;

Second,small brown spots appear and white mould decreases:

Third,brown spots enlarge and leaf withers.No mould at this stage:

[Daisy Duke]

It does sound like leaf blight, are the leaves crinkled or twisted? However, thrips also affect lonicera, do you think the damage could be caused by these? They thrive in hot weather and can cause lack of flowering by preventing the buds opening. You'd also have leaves that have a silvery white discolouration and black dots on their upper sufaces. Are any other plants affected in the same way?

[Mr GrimNasty]

Powdery mildew and/or fungal leaf blight (or less likely bacterial) I'd guess.
If you don't want to give up with them:
Treat with fungicides, a general one for mildew, but certainly a copper based one will be needed for blight (may also treat bacterial blight - read the packet) quite regularly. Clear up any dead leaves/stems and bin/burn, prune any overcrowded bits to let air circulate. Next spring spray well before growth starts, and then as growth starts cut right back and keep the treatment going at regular intervals. After a year you could try leaving them to fend for themselves, or just spray late summer & spring, but it'll probably strike again. Probably best to keep any aphids well under control too.

[goldblum]

Daisy - symptoms coincide with wet and warm weather.I don't think it's thrips,leaves ARE crinkled and twisted though and no other plants are affected.

Mr GrimNasty - no,I shall not give up on them !
We seem we have a kind of consensus on leaf blight so I will follow your advice.


Thank you both of you for your help,much appreciated.I shall post an update when and if.