Witch hazel ( Hamamelis ) is a reliable and gracious multi - caulescent bush , favored by garden enthusiasts for its fragrant flowers and large velvety leaves . This dauntless plant life grows across a encompassing scope in the United States and fortunately suffers from few disease and pest problem .

Horned Gall Aphids

Horned gall aphid ( Hormaphis hamamelidis ) is a rather horrible defect attacking the leaves and stem of the Witch Hazel . The aphid , through spittle injects a chemical into the plant that organise the narrow cone - shaped gall . The freshness , which is pale light-green , is unsightly but rarely a serious threat to the health of the plant .

Direct insecticide treatment is rarely successful because of the protection offer by the bile . At bud rift , there is a tiny windowpane when the overwintered insect issue to feed and the only time insecticide is good ; wee direct software program a difficult method of control . Prevention is the best means to do away with gall aphids . Remove and dispose affected folio each season to break up the insect ’s lifespan bicycle and discourage repeat plague .

Leaf Spots

The leaf discern fungus , Phyllosticta hamamelidis , can provide an otherwise beautiful specimen into a tree with unsightly blotched , yellowing folio . symptom include brownish , smutty or tan smirch with orbitual doughnut leading to a darker allowance . When the spot coalesce they can form larger blotches and get the foliage to turn yellow and drop-off . Leaf spots are usually due to a fungus but some are due to bacterium . Established plants can withstand foliage slur , even to the point of complete defoliation , younger plants risk permanent damage until maturity .

strategy for control of leaf spot admit doing nothing to hold back and see if the infection returns in the next growing bicycle . Remove infected leafage from the flora and fence area to remove fungous spore . pass overhead lachrymation . Wet leaves will encourage foliage spot increase . Limit fertilizer . Overuse of nitrogen causes a flush of new growth prostrate to infection . In severe cases , app of fungicide , such as Tebuconazole or Myclobutanil , would be an appropriate treatment . To ensure safe and efficient app , always read the label and follow the manufacturer ’s instructions . If all else fails dispatch the plant and supersede with a specimen , which is resistive or tolerant to the disease .

Powdery Mildew

Powdery mold is a fungous transmission that attacks witch hazel . In humid circumstance , infected parting are insure with a white-hot powdery substance that resembles talc powder . Powdery mould will not impact the health or longevity of the plant .

Powdery mould fungal bodily structure overwinter on plant junk and produce spore during the next develop season . Control the gap of contagion by clearing over wintered debris and infected leave from the plant life and around its base . Destroy severely infect plant . Selecting kind that are resistant to powdery mold will limit the rigourousness of the disease . habituate equal space to ameliorate air circulation and wipe out crowding which encourages the disease . In severe cases , program of fungicide , such as Tebuconazole or Myclobutanil , would be an appropriate discourse .

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