Established Loropetalum is sick.Any advice?

3 years ago

Central Florida area.

Mature well established 6 foot tall hedge.Lorapetalum started to develop yellowing leaves last fall.Leaves would look orange or yellow and then would curl and die.Bushes had been beautiful and healthy for at least a decade.No changes in care or water. We could see it was going to die.

We decided to cut back the hedge to just about 2 feet of height…and left no foliage hoping that a new start would cure the issues.This spring the bushes regained their foliage,looked great..like they were going to once again thrive.

That was short lived.Their health has again begun the same decline.Leaves are orange and yellowed.Die back is ocurring again.These plants have an extensive matured root system which will be heck to dig out.The hedge runs about 8 feet along property line..was a privacy hedge.

Older leaves discolor first.New growth looks good before progressing to discoloration.

Backside of sick leaves

Leaves before they brown curl up and die.

I would like to save this hedge,Anyone know or have idea of what is causing its illness?

i do not find the signs of Gall.

I have two Loropetalum bushes( tree like) elsewhere in yard growing successfully

Thanks for any suggestions

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Comments (3)

ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
3 years ago
the speckles on the back of the leaves.. would suggest some sucking insect.. bug...mite ... etc...

aphids if you can see them..

perhaps mites if you cant...

contact your local COUNTY extension office.. and see if they are aware of any local plagues.. let us know what they say ...

ken

https://duckduckgo.com/?q=how+to+see+plant+mites&t=ffab&ia=web
videoanne thanked ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
videoanne
Original Author
3 years ago
Thanks for the info.Read thru online info and identification.I dont think it is either one although I agree that it does resemble backside damage when aphis attack. One clue is that the pattern of the leaf die off which goes from oldest foliage then moves later to the younger tips is always the same.Seems as though mites or aphids wouldnt be so choosy.

Ill check with county ext office however previous interactions re tree issues wasnt helpful. Consequently I was hoping to find online help experts and/or suggestions and i thank you for yours.
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videoanne
Original Author
3 years ago
Turns out that you were tight.Coundnt see the suckers until I blew the photo up and added magnifying glasses.Tiny white specs,no webs though.Believe that they are mites.Treating with neem.We will see.

Already lost a small shrub from the same pest as that what is on Loropetalum foliage.I thought the small plant was getting insufficient water..Nope…small white specs again.In the past I could identify by eyesight. Guess its not as sharp previously