Unlike many other plants, you hardly have to worry about diseases or pests with your harlequin willow. Fungal infection only occurs in the rarest of cases. With a simple measure, the ornamental willow will recover within a few months. Nevertheless, you should find out more about possible pests in this article so that you know what to do if something happens.
What to do if there is a fungal infection on the harlequin willow?
When a harlequin willow is attacked by fungus, the leaves become brown or black, leaf drops and shoot tips wilt. Treat the pasture with a heavy pruning to a few centimeters above the ground and dispose of the clippings safely.
Mushrooms at the Harlequin Willow
The harlequin willow is susceptible to two types of fungi:
- Rust
- Willow Anthracnose
Symptoms
- Brown or black discoloration of leaves
- Leaf shedding
- Withered shoot tips
Note: If you recognize the symptoms mentioned on your harlequin willow, it does not necessarily have to be a fungal infection. Numerous care errors cause similar symptoms. These include:
- A wrong location, the harlequin willow needs a lot of light (regularly thin out the crown).
- Wrong watering behavior, the substrate must never dry out completely. However, waterlogging should not form either.
- Incorrect fertilization, the harlequin willow reacts to too much fertilizer with brown leaves. It's best to just use mulch or compost.
Treatment
If it is actually a fungal infection, you have to cut the harlequin willow back heavily. Feel free to shorten the tree to a few centimeters above the ground. It is better to remove more branches than to remove too few. This way you can be sure that the fungus has been completely eliminated. Your harlequin willow will quickly recover from the radical cut.
Disposal
Never dispose of clippings in the compost heap. The fungus spreads here and may return to the harlequin willow or attack other plants in the area. Burning is the best way to destroy the fungus. Alternatively, stuff the affected branches into organic garbage bags and have the greenery picked up. Although fungicides are often recommended for fungal infestation, you should only use them in extreme emergencies. Always remember that chemicals harm both your harlequin willow and the surrounding plants.
