Pest Help Needed

Hi,
I have a Pieris Forest Flame, and a Prunus Holly Bush. They both have a black pest all over the leaves and branches. I need some help with what to treat it with, as i don`t want to loose them. Also my apologies for the image sizes











Thanks
Dave.

 

Dave, your images are not displaying as you haven't used links with valid image file extensions, such as .jpg, .jpeg, .png, etc:

Code:

[IMG]https://mega.nz/#%21C0MQkRQK[/IMG]    [IMG]https://mega.nz/#!SkE0TZyY[/IMG]  [IMG]https://mega.nz/#!2hVBgYyY[/IMG]  [IMG]https://mega.nz/#!W50yAJIL[/IMG]  

Trying adding .jpg to the first one EDIT: Doesn't work

 

Hi,
I don`t think i can place images, as i have just joined today.

 

Did you get a message to that effect, or did they just not display? If the latter it's because the links are not correct. You appear to be trying to post images on a cloud hosting website, try the Upload a File middle button at right hand bottom to upload them from your hard drive when posting (assuming you're using a device with a hard drive/SD card/some form of memory).

 

This is what i get

Minimum Requirements
The number of posts you have created must exceed: 2 (Yours: 2)
The number of Likes you've received must exceed: 1 (Yours: 0)
The Like:Post Ratio must exceed: 0% (Yours: 0%)
The number of days you have been registered must exceed: 1 (Yours: 0)

 

You now have a 'like'

 

I've 'liked' your last post, so you should be able to post image links tomorrow.

 

Thanks for your help.

I have a Pieris Forest Flame, and a Prunus Holly Bush. They both have a black pest all over the leaves and branches. I need some help with what to treat it with, as i don`t want to loose them.
I think the highlighted requirement is the problem.

*****************************************
Sorry, you were not able to save since the content contained a link

For this Forum, before you can create content with links, you must first meet the minimum requirements

Minimum Requirements
The number of posts you have created must exceed: 2 (Yours: 5)
The number of Likes you've received must exceed: 1 (Yours: 3)
The Like:Post Ratio must exceed: 0% (Yours: 60%)
The number of days you have been registered must exceed: 1 (Yours: 0)
*********************************

 

Still having problems. Please bear with me

 

Hi All,

At last, all sorted except for the image sizes, which I apologise for.

 

Dave it looks like sooty mould.
The plants must have had a bad attack of aphids or scale insect last summer.
The pests produce honey dew, a sticky substance, which a black mould grows on.

The black mould is unsightly, but on its own, is not attacking the plants, the damage was done last year.
The Pieris looks to be a bit Chlorotic, ie is suffering from iron deficiency due, I'm guessing, from being grown in alkaline soil.

Prunus??, holly is Ilex I think.

 

Hi Pete,
Thanks for your reply.
What should i do to get rid of the black gunk from the leaves??
I think you could be right about the soil. If i mixed a few bags of Ericaceous to the existing soil would that sort the soil problem out. I take it the Ericaceous will make the soil more Acidic, is this what is needed

 

Getting rid of the sooty mould can be a problem on large plants.
It will stop light reaching the leaves to some extent, so is not ideal for the health of the plants.

Washing it off with washing up liquid is an option but it may take a while, other than that you could try a blasts from a hosepipe once its wet.

As to the Pieris chlorosis, I would be inclined to buy some sequested iron, or sequestrene and water it with it, or sprinkle around the root area during wet weather.

It should sort it out for the whole season, but will need to be re applied next year.
You can buy it off the shelf at most garden centres, but this is the stuff.
http://www.interhort.com/products/125028s_sequestered_iron_-_chempak_250gm.php

 

Many thank Pete, i will get some of that. Would it be ok to put some around the holly bush aswell, as i have noticed a few yellowing leaves.