I got a Eugenia Topiary (3 ball topiary) last winter.
As soon as I got it home it started dropping leaves.
I had it setting in an east window.
There was some die off on the lowest ball but when
spring arrives and we were past any hard frosts I set it on an east facing porch
where it thrived all summer- fall.
When i brought it in late fall it started dropping
leaves again, even before our furnace was going and I noticed a sticky residue
on the leaves...I assume from some type of pest.
I sprayed it with a houseplant insecticide but that didn't seem to
help so I applied a systematic insecticide to the soil.
It's probably lost about 50% of its leaves.
Any suggestions on saving this plant or is it too far gone?

From my experience, leaf drop occurs a lot of times for physiological reasons as well as pests ... due to the change in conditions when moved from the store to the home or from outdoors to indoors. Can you post a picture?

I guess the ? is do you have the space to keep it going. If you have limited space and light do you want this plant taking that space or would you replace it with something that looks more attractive for now. I have some of the same problems with some of the Houseplants I bring inside. I don't have a Eugenia but one of my good sized Hibiscus and a good size Bougainvillaea that did the same thing I think the Hibiscus pretty much lost every leaf but it is leafing out now. Also I think you are right about the pest problem maybe spidermite and then the ? is how bad will it spread to your other plants. If it was sitting near any other plants you should treat them also. So if you have the space to keep it and you have already treated it then I would keep it and see what it does.

Yeah, I was wondering if perhaps it was reacting to dry air from heaters more than the bugs. Do you still see the bugs? Sticky stuff often means scale....

Mealy Bugs, Spidermite and Scale! OH MY....Yep have them all. What a pain to get rid of. Finally broke out the systemic pest controls this year and hope I might finally put an end to the issue.

Sometimes, a woman has got to do what a woman has got to do....

Eugenias tend to react to their environment quite a bit.

I had to use the a systemic on some things this year too. Primarily because of the Japanese beetles. And will have to use systemic on the Azaleas come Spring.

Jap beetles - you mean outside, right?

Right. Cussed things.

Have you done the tap-tap trick? I didn't believe it would work until I tried it. Strangely enough, they defoliated a couple of my wild milkweeds this year, and that's the most I've seen - except a few on my oregano.

Hey, try spraying the plants a month befor bring them in. Start with some soapy water solution. Finish with the systemic pest controls. I know, I know, who things of such things ahead of time.

I tried a systematic product
I think the plant was too far gone.
It just kept dropping leaves and the branches were dying as well
or I would of tried longer.
I threw it out.

Aw .... sorry it didn't work out for you,Vicky, better luck next time.

Awwww....bummer, that bites! Don't give up Vicki. This gives you the opportunity to go shopping for a new one and try again! :)

Alan

I don't know what it is about these cold climates. I had happy houseplants when I lived in SoCal. Occasional bug, easily dealt with. Here in the frozen northland, no matter what I try, if I bring a plant in to overwinter, the little beggar ends up with white flies, aphids, spider mites, scale.....you name it. I've tried repotting, soap spray, alcohol, systemics, topical insecticides.....nothing works. I succumbed and dragged in a few sacrificial pots this year, but all they're getting is a reprieve from the cold. I'm not even going to try to fight any bugs. If they make it, fine.

Maybe you shouldn't move them outside? That's the conclusion I've come to with my hosta; they just don't acclimate very well back inside.

sheryl, maybe you've got a point there.

Ya know, that's probably right! I have a couple of houseplants, and don't have near the problems with the ones that live full time indoors.

I've never moved my plants outdoors except when it's a long rainy day. I seem to be doing better with houseplants than I did in the past, but still struggle with them. Type of pot, how you water, what kind of water you use, where you locate it, everything seems so important to these beasts :)

Alan

I have some rex begonias, tender succulents and a Thanksgiving Cactus that never come in with bugs so i guess it all depends on the plant. The Eugenia didn't like being in my house even before I put it out for the summer, when it rebounded. I guess its a plant more suited for southern or greenhouse settings since its a native to Australia.