holly bush with canker disease - Ask Extension
One of my holly bushes was struggling 2 years ago. This year the one next to it lost all leaves,and a white substance showed up on the spinldly limbs....
Knowledgebase
holly bush with canker disease #626340
Asked April 21, 2020, 9:04 PM EDT
One of my holly bushes was struggling 2 years ago. This year the one next to it lost all leaves,and a white substance showed up on the spinldly limbs. I took drastic action and cut both of them to the ground and will have them removed.( i have three more bushes in the same area that are fine at this point.
HOW DO I TREAT TE THREE REMAINING O THEY DON"T GET THE DISEASE (I think it is canker) and WHAT DO I NEED TO DO TO THE SOIL WHERE THE HOLLY TREES WERE LOCATED TO MAKE IT HEALTHY AGAIN?
County Virginia
Expert Response
Hello,
Without seeing pictures of your white substance it is hard to diagnose the problem. One possibility is the presence of Indian Wax scale insects which are quite common on holly. A heavy infestation of these can cause a plant to lose leaves and dieback. It is generally associated with large deposits of black sooty mold. Please send photos of your plants to <personal data hidden> and confirm or demy.
https://extension.uga.edu/programs-services/landscape-pest-management/pests-ornamental/wax-scales-japanese-florida-indian-wax-scale-ceroplastes.html
Without seeing pictures of your white substance it is hard to diagnose the problem. One possibility is the presence of Indian Wax scale insects which are quite common on holly. A heavy infestation of these can cause a plant to lose leaves and dieback. It is generally associated with large deposits of black sooty mold. Please send photos of your plants to <personal data hidden> and confirm or demy.
https://extension.uga.edu/programs-services/landscape-pest-management/pests-ornamental/wax-scales-japanese-florida-indian-wax-scale-ceroplastes.html
See attached pictures
See attached pictures
Hollies prefer acidic soil between 6.2 and 6.5. Test the soil to determine how much you need to adjust it. If you are in Arlington/Alexandria VA you can pick up a soil testing box and form to send your sample to Virginia Tech. If not contact your local extension agent/office.
Again, it is more likely that your holly is suffering from root rot and that the soil is poorly drained or waterlogged too much of the time. Correct the drainage issues or raise the plants so that the roots can dry out between rains.
Again, it is more likely that your holly is suffering from root rot and that the soil is poorly drained or waterlogged too much of the time. Correct the drainage issues or raise the plants so that the roots can dry out between rains.
