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Pieris Forest Flame Diseases and how to treat them including leaf spot disease
Pieris Forest Flame Diseases – what to look out for and how to treat them

Pieris Forest Flame Diseases – what to look out for and how to treat them

Fungal Leaf Spot Pieris Forest Flame is the most popular variety of pieris grown in the UK. From the bright red leaves and white bell-like flowers in the spring, the leaves go through colourful changes from red to pink to cream to green during the growing season. But if your Forest Flame leaves are looking a bit sickly, there’s probably one main culprit – the disease of Fungal Leaf Spot. Does your pieris forest flame have fungal leaf spot? To…

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Pieris leaf problems, how to identify them and how to fix them
Pieris Leaf Problems

Pieris Leaf Problems

Leaf problems with your pieris could be due to pests, disease, the environment or a lack of correct care but the two most common problems are probably fungus leaf rot also known as leaf spot disease or pieris Lacebugs. Pests – Pieris lacebug What is a pieris lacebug? There’s a pest named after the pieris shrub that first appeared in Windsor, UK, in 1998. The pieris lacebug torments pieris shrubs along with rhododendrons. This is an insect that’s only about…

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In this guide, you will learn how to successfully grow Pieris forest flame in containers from choose a pot and compost to care.
Growing pieris Forest Flame in a container

Growing pieris Forest Flame in a container

If your garden soil is not acidic enough for pieris or you want some pots of colour on your patio in spring, then growing pieris Forest Flame in a container is for you. This article also applies to the many other varieties of pieris that are compact enough to grow in a large pot. Pieris varieties for containers Start by looking at the varieties of dwarf and compact pieris that are available. However, as this is a slow-growing shrub, some…

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in this guide I discuss some of the common Pieris plant problems and how to treat them to help the shrub recover
Pieris Plant Problems – What to look out for and how to treat them

Pieris Plant Problems – What to look out for and how to treat them

The pieris plant isn’t too difficult to look after if you take time to understand and follow through on its location, soil, and sunlight needs. However, even in the most cared for gardens, pieris plant problems do occur. With pieris shrubs, they’re usually related to pests, disease and how you’re caring for the plant. Pests At some point you’ll probably come across the pieris lacebug – named after the shrub. It survives by sucking out the sap from the leaves….

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Pieris are lime hating plants so you need compost and fertiliser which is acidic. Learn more about what to feed them now.
What and when to feed pieris Forest Flame?

What and when to feed pieris Forest Flame?

Pieris Forest Flame, along with most of the other pieris varieties, needs nutrients to produce enough energy to develop properly. Ensuring this starts with the soil you initially plant it in. It continues on to what you feed the plant during the year. The short answer is Pieris need an acidic feed and ericaceous compost. What soil is best for pieris? All pieris plants thrive in acidic soil. And that’s soil that’s heavily acidic, not close to a neutral pH….

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There are a few reasons why pieris can start losing its leaves from Pieris Lacebug attacks to leaf spot and the soil being to alkaline. Learn more now
Why is my pieris losing its leaves?

Why is my pieris losing its leaves?

To find out why your pieris is losing its leaves, you need to do some detective work. The most usual causes of pieris leaf loss are pests, disease, lack of nutrients/alkaline soil, and sunlight. Pests The main bug that’s going to cause your pieris to lose its leaves is the Pieris Lacebug. This is a winged insect that’s named after the pieris shrub as it usually feeds on that. (Well, it does hang out on rhododendrons a bit too.) Look…

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How to take Choisya cuttings - softwood propagation
Choisya propagation – How to take cuttings from choisya?

Choisya propagation – How to take cuttings from choisya?

The best way to propagate choisya is by taking semi-hardwood cutting. The best time to take cuttings from choisya’s is around the end of summer. Wait for the new growth on the plant to become firm at the base and still flexible at the top. This softwood is where you take your cuttings from. Preparation Water the choisya plant the day before so that it’s well hydrated. As always when taking cuttings, prepare everything ahead of time.  First of all,…

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Choisya pests and diseases including root rot, grey mould, red spider mites
Choisya pests and diseases

Choisya pests and diseases

The choisya, aka Mexican orange blossom, is an evergreen plant which has a great advantage going for its well-being – it has scented flowers and leaves when crushed. And its citrus scent, produced in the spring and the end of autumn, works to keep bugs and disease away. You need worry about only a few choisya pests and diseases, and they’re easily dealt with. Pests Slugs and snails These gastropods are the main choisya pests and they prey on young…

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In this guide, I look at several reasons your Choisya leaves might be wilting and turning yellow from water logging to pests.
Why are my choisya leaves drooping and turning yellow

Why are my choisya leaves drooping and turning yellow

Choisya, aka Mexican orange blossoms, are hardy plants and aren’t affected by many pests and diseases. However, the few that are their enemies may be the reason your leaves are drooping and turning yellow. Also causing this may be a poor growing environment of soil, water, nutrients and sunlight. If it’s not pests causing wilting and yellowing leaves the next most likely cause is actually poor drainage as choisya don’t like getting their feet wet. More on this below. Poor…

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Why is my Choisya dying - stem dieback and frost damage
Why is my choisya dying? Possible reasons and treatment

Why is my choisya dying? Possible reasons and treatment

I’ve already covered the reasons why choisya leaves may become yellow and droop in Why are my choisya leaves drooping and turning yellow? However, if your Mexican orange blossom plant is in much worse condition than that, you may be right that it’s dying. Please also read my Choisya pests and diseases article as some of the issues discussed there could also result in the plant dying. So, if you’ve ruled out pests, diseases, growing environment, nutrients, watering and sunlight,…

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