Hiya,

I have a new honeysuckle plant that has grown rapidly and seemed really happy. However, in the lower portion of the plant the stems are turning yellow/brown and leaves are dropping off. I'm worried it may be a disease that will spread to the whole plant, and I cannot remove the affected stems as it is all of the main stems, so it would mean cutting down the entire honeysuckle. I've attached photos for you to see. I did spray it with a bug and mildew spray as I thought it could be that but now I'm worried it made it worse.

Please advise on what I should do to prevent it spreading or worsening.

Thanks

Iris Breward

No need to spray bug and mildew spray on the plant. You have a start if a nutrient deficiency. The plant has used up the nutrients that are available and showing signs of needing fertilizer. Now if you fertilize using the manufacturer recommendations you will burn the plant. The plant is very tender and sensitive to nitrogen and it will be easy to over-fertilize your plant. If you use fertilizer make sure and use only 1/4 the recommendations and then only once or twice month very lightly.

What I would do if it were me, is plant my honeysuckle directly in the ground below the plant and not fertilize at all.