Whether outdoors or in a pot – anyone who knows the spindle bush loves it and its visual advantages. It is even considered robust and easy to care for. However, if it loses its leaves, question marks appear and frustration grows. What's behind it?
Why is my spindle bush losing its leaves?
A spindle bush loses leaves due to pests such as the spindle bush scale insect, puffball moth or spider mites, drought, frost damage or diseases such as powdery mildew and downy mildew. Strengthen the shrub by choosing a good location, fertilizing and regular watering to prevent leaf loss.
Which pest weakens the spindle bush until the leaves fall?
It is thespindle tree scale insect that likes to attack this plant and its infestation can lead to leaf drop. The Japanese spindle bush (Japonicus euonymus) is very often affected. This type of scale insect sucks on the leaves of the spindle bush until they have almost completely lost their juice and fall off due to a lack of nutrients.
Are there other pests that attack the spindle bush?
There are other pests such as thePfaffenhütchen web mothandSpider mites, which can damage the spindle bush so much that it kills individuals Loses leaves. While the Pfaffenhütchen web moth is less worrisome, a spider mite infestation can become so severe that the spindle bush dies. You can recognize spider mites on the spindle bush by the webs on the leaf axils and on the edges of the leaves.
How is a pest infestation on the spindle bush treated?
If your spindle bush is heavily infested with the spindle bush scale insect, you should radicallycut your plant back The affected parts of the plant should then be disposed of with household waste. If the infestation is small, home remedies can sometimes help. You can collect the scale insects and also spray the spindle bush with an oil mixture that eliminates remaining spindle bush scale insects.
Even if there is an infestation with spider mites, it is advisable to remove infected plant parts.
Which diseases cause leaf loss on spindle bushes?
The disease that occurs on spindle bushes under poor site conditions ispowdery mildew. It shows up on the top of the leaf. You should cut off affected parts, otherwise the fungal pathogen will spread. As a preventive measure, it is advisable to water the spindle bush regularly with a decoction of field horsetail. The silica it contains strengthens the leaf structure.
Downy mildew occurs less frequently on spindle bushes. In contrast to powdery mildew, discoloration appears on the underside of the leaves. If the infestation is severe, the leaves will also eventually fall off.
Does the spindle bush lose its leaves due to drought?
Drought can cause the spindle bush to lose itsleaves The dryness in the summer months, which has become increasingly common in recent years, does not stop at the spindle bushes. These plants suffer from this and should therefore receive appropriate care that includes regular watering. Evergreen species also need to be watered in winter if it is too dry or they are in a pot.
Does the spindle bush lose its leaves due to frost damage?
Some spindle bushes, such as the Japanese spindle bush, are not well hardy andcan lose their leaves due to extremely sub-zero temperatures. Therefore, overwinter a spindle bush that is in a pot in a frost-free and bright place.
Tip
Prevent leaf loss – strengthen spindle bushes
Let your spindle bush grow in a sunny and airy location. Fertilize it regularly - ideally once in spring and a second time in summer - with a suitable fertilizer and make sure that it is neither exposed to dryness nor waterlogging.
