A white coating on the foliage or branches of the cherry laurel is not just a visual problem. If caused by fungi or pests, the metabolism of the tree is impaired and the cherry laurel is massively damaged in the long term.
What causes a white coating on cherry laurel?
A white coating on cherry laurel foliage can be caused by powdery mildew or downy mildew, while a coating on the branches indicates a mealybug infestation. Homemade milk or vinegar solutions, strong jets of water or targeted insect repellents can be used to combat them.
Wipeable, white coating on or under the leaves
You can recognize powdery mildew by the white, flour-like coating that only spreads on the upper side of the leaves. In downy mildew, reddish-purple spots initially appear on the upper side of the leaves. The dirty whitish-gray fungal turf can only be found on the underside of the leaves.
Remedies against mildew
Mildew can be combated in an environmentally friendly way with milk or vinegar sprays. However, these gentle methods require repeated and consistent use. It is also advisable to cut out all diseased parts of the plant and dispose of them with household waste. If the infestation is very severe, you can use a fungicide that effectively kills the fungus.
White coating on the branches
If you discover a white coating on the branches and shoot tips, this is often an infestation with mealybugs. The approximately ten millimeter large animals from the scale insect genus are covered with light, greasy hair and form large colonies on the branches. They damage the cherry laurel in three ways:
- They suck out the lifeblood and weaken the bush.
- They secrete a plant poison and excrete honeydew.
- Sooty mold fungi often settle in the wounds of the branches, which cause additional damage to the plant.
Fighting lice
- Wipe lice carefully with a cloth soaked in alcohol and destroy the cloth.
- Wash away pests with a sharp jet of water.
- If the infestation is severe, cut out all infected parts of the plant.
- Then treat with an insect repellent that specifically targets mealybugs.
Tips & Tricks
Regular spraying with horsetail or nettle tea prevents new infections with scale insects or mildew.