Harlequin willows are actually considered to be very robust plants. The desperation is all the greater when the branches and leaves suddenly dry up. The symptoms puzzle many gardeners. In most cases, however, only harmless care mistakes are behind the bad appearance. Only in a few cases is it an illness.
The harlequin willow is rarely sick
Possible causes
- wrong location
- growth disorders
- diseases and parasites
Wrong location
- dryness
- too little space
If dried leaves appear on your harlequin willow, it may be in an unsuitable location. This should be bright but not too sunny. If your harlequin willow does not get enough water, you should not neglect watering. Since the tree is flat-rooted, the underground parts of the plant should have enough space to spread out.
growth disorders
Sometimes the harlequin willow also forms branches with unusually thin tips in summer. A hard pruning promotes new shoots. You will see your harlequin willow recover quickly by removing any dead leaves.
diseases and parasites
- the willow borer
- the red spider
- aphids
- spider mites
Although it is rare for a harlequin willow to be infected by a virus, it cannot be completely ruled out. In this case, you should try all biological means of control before resorting to chemical fungicides in an extreme emergency. Keep in mind that using harsh agents will drive away the parasites, but can also cause permanent damage to your plant.
You can recognize the red spider, for example, by spraying a fine water atomizer on the branches. The spinning threads become visible on the basis of the adhering water droplets.
You can see the willow borer with the naked eye. Its white or dark red larvae reach a body length of up to ten centimetres.
- Remove all affected branches of the harlequin willow
- Never throw them in the compost
- It is best to burn the diseased branches
- But never cut so deep that you damage the grafted trunk