Oakleaf hydrangeas are forest shrubs boast large clusters of blooms in the summer and rich mahogany foliation in the fall . Gardeners of these hydrangeas may go through a variety of problems . Under certain term , fungal disease , pest attacks and chlorosis may affect oakleaf hydrangea .
Botrytis Blight
The fungal disease botrytis blight attacks oakleaf hydrangeas during cool , wet weather . Spots develop on the flowers and eventually merge , forge large , wet blotches . Remove and dispose of all diseased foliage . Disinfect the pruning tool between each undercut . use a copper fungicide to the bush to preclude the bed cover of the disease . To keep succeeding outbreaks , increase the air circulation between hydrangeas by space them at least 48 column inch apart . Avoid watering the flower and leaf and water direct into the soil .
Powdery Mildew
Powdery mold grow a white fungus on the undersides of leaf , causing the upper leaves to turn purple or brown . Apply a sulphur fungicide to the hydrangea and dispose of all fallen leaf in the fall . To preclude splashing rainfall from spreading the disease , total a layer of mulch around the hydrangea .
Armillaria Root Rot
Oakleaf hydrangea affected by armillaria root rot experience a sudden wilting of leaves and may die quickly . White fungus develop on the ascendant and surrounding dirt and in the fall , mushroom-shaped cloud sprout up around the industrial plant . Fungicides will not control this disease , so bar is the best defense . This disease incline to attack hydrangeas previously damaged by drought , so water oakleaf hydrangea every four to seven days during periods of drought to prevent an eruption . Avoid plant new hydrangeas in the same locating as plants previously infected with this disease .
Aphids
Aphids often snipe new maturation on oakleaf hydrangeas . These small green pests gather in clustering on the undersurface of leave , stimulate leaf to curl and plough yellowish or brown . Ants often prey on the sticky secretions of aphids , so the presence of ant on hydrangea may indicate an aphid problem . free hydrangeas of aphids by applying a herculean spray of body of water every other day . Spray in the morning to allow fourth dimension for the leave to dry before even . If necessary , apply insecticidal soap to the plant .
Mites
Nearly impossible to see with the naked eye , jot typically aggress oakleaf hydrangea during ironic weather condition . When under attack from mites , new growth appears distorted and leaves may look scorched along the edge . Water hydrangea regularly during dry catamenia to prevent mite attack . If mites come along , spray the leaves with a emphatic spirt of urine every 24-hour interval for three daylight . Apply insecticidal soap if mites continue to attack the hydrangea .
