Forsythias are robust and hardy. There are not many diseases or pests that can cause real damage to shrubs. When diseases and pests occur, care errors are almost always responsible.
What diseases occur in forsythia?
Forsythia can be affected by association changes, shoot galls, fungal diseases and shoot death. To keep shrubs he althy, ensure adequate air circulation, remove affected shoots and ensure well-drained soil. Leaf bugs can also cause holes in the leaves.
Anomalies on the branches of the forsythia
Illnesses are particularly noticeable on the shoots. Not all abnormalities in the branches have to be due to disease. The most common changes are:
- Combinations
- shoot galls
- Fungal diseases
- Instinct death
Combinations
The branches of the forsythia thicken and look as if there are several ribbons lying next to each other. This is a genetic disorder. Flowers develop normally.
You don't have to do anything. Only if the thickened areas bother you very much, cut them off.
shoot galls
Shoot galls are noticeable through spherical thickenings on the tips of the shoots. The tissue growths mainly occur in weak plants and are caused by a bacterium.
Remove the affected shoots. Sometimes a strong pruning helps to strengthen the shrub.
Fungal diseases
If the leaves curl, wilt and fall off prematurely, it is usually a fungal disease. It is favored when the forsythia does not get enough air.
Here too, cut off the affected forsythia branches and thin out the bush.
Instinct death
When it is very wet in winter and spring, entire shoots occasionally die and the flower buds dry out. Both bacteria and harmful fungi can be responsible for this.
Cut off affected shoots generously. If possible, make sure that the soil is permeable to water so that the forsythia is not so wet.
Bugs can become a problem
In spring you often notice that the young leaves have holes in them, as if caterpillars had eaten them. The cause is leaf bugs, which pierce the still-rolled leaves to suck out the juice. The holes are created by puncturing the sheet.
The bugs themselves are difficult to find because they immediately drop to the ground when threatened. There is currently no effective way to combat the pests.
Tips & Tricks
Forsythias are very easy to care for. The shrubs only really take issue with dryness and waterlogging. Ensure a good location to prevent disease.
