In contrast to many other plants, you hardly have to worry about diseases or pests with your harlequin willow. A fungal attack occurs only in the rarest of cases. With a simple measure, the ornamental willow will recover within a few months. Nevertheless, you should inform yourself well about any malware in this article so that you know what to do in the event of an accident.

Wilted shoot tips and leaf fall indicate fungal infestation

Mushrooms on the harlequin willow

Harlequin willow is susceptible to two species of fungi:

  • rust
  • Willow Anthracnose

symptoms

  • Brown or black discoloration of the leaves
  • leaf shedding
  • Wilted shoot tips

Note: If you recognize the symptoms mentioned on your harlequin willow, it does not necessarily have to be a fungal infestation. Numerous nursing mistakes produce similar symptoms. These include:

  • A wrong location, the harlequin willow needs a lot of light (regularly thin out the crown).
  • Incorrect watering behavior, the substrate must never dry out completely. However, waterlogging should not form either.
  • Incorrect fertilization, the harlequin willow reacts to too much fertilizer with brown leaves. It is best to only use mulch (€239.00) or compost.

treatment

If it is actually a fungal infestation, you have to cut back the harlequin willow heavily. Feel free to shorten the tree to a few centimeters above the ground. It is better to remove more branches than too few. So you can be sure that the fungus has been completely eliminated. Your harlequin willow will recover quickly from the radical cut.

disposal

Never dispose of clippings in the compost heap. Here the fungus spreads and eventually returns to the harlequin pasture or infects other plants in the area. Burning is the best way to destroy the fungus. Alternatively, stuff the affected branches into organic garbage bags and have the greens picked up.
Although fungicides are often recommended for fungal infestations, they should only be used as a last resort. Always remember that chemicals damage both your harlequin pasture and the surrounding plants.

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