Even though their names sound similar, the Aukube and the Akebia have little in common with each other. They are two completely different plants, but both come from Asia and are relatively robust and easy to care for.
What diseases commonly occur in aukubs?
Aububs are robust and resilient, but susceptible to frost damage and sunburn. The most common disease is spider mites, which can be combated with tansy, wormwood or neem extract. With good care, diseases and pest infestations are rare.
What diseases does an Aukube suffer from most often?
Aukube suffers relatively rarely from “real” plant diseases. Sunburn or frost damage is much more common with this plant. The best prevention against this is the right location and a good supply of nutrients.
If you have planted an Aucuba japonica with colorful foliage, it can sometimes happen that the leaf color changes. However, there is no illness. Sometimes there is an infestation with spider mites, but this can be easily controlled.
How do I fight spider mites?
The spider mites feel really comfortable in a warm, dry summer, so they can sometimes cause problems for your aub. These pests can be easily driven away with a broth made from tansy or wormwood. Neem extract or oil can also be very helpful.
To prevent an infestation at an early stage, spray the plant regularly with rainwater. It leaves no limescale spots on the leaves and the increased humidity is not comfortable for the spider mites, so they don't even settle there.
What can I do if I get sunburned?
If your Aukube has gotten sunburned, you should definitely move the plant to another place. If it is in a bucket, it can be done quickly and easily. However, if it has a place in the garden bed, then you should transplant your Aukube. Otherwise it will always get black leaves.
How do I remove frost damage?
If there is frost damage, all you can do is use secateurs. Remove all frozen shoots so that no pathogens can penetrate there. Cut back to the living wood and then give the plant a harmonious shape again.
The most important things in brief:
- robust and resistant
- frost-tolerant up to approx. – 5 °C
- prone to sunburn and frostbite
- occasionally infested with spider mites
Tip
If you take good care of your Aukube, you don't have to expect pest infestation, and diseases only rarely occur.
