QuestionI live in central TX and my honeysuckle which I have had for many years is in distress. It bloomed profusely in the early spring but now the leaves are turning brown and dying. Also there are tiny red spots on the underside and tops of leaves. I cannot find any bugs. If I brush the leaves with my hand little tiny white things fall off. Thank you for any help.
AnswerWhat you are describing sounds like spider mites, which you may not see with the naked eye. Get a magnifying glass and go look at the leaves and see if you can see the little critters. They should be moving around to some degree. As for the tiny white things, I dont know, but lets do this just for good measure. Go buy Bayer Advanced Tree and Shrub Insecticide from Home Depot. This product is mixed with water and poured on the soil around the base of the plants. It is systemic and is taken up the roots. It will kill any bugs on the plant within a week or so. It also provides protection from reinfestation for up to a year. I hope this helps you honeysuckle survive. Thanks.