Question
Hello
I'm having the same problem with my honeysuckle in that the leaves are turning brown / yellow and falling off. The advise you gave (I believe) was a fungicide. Is there a non toxic version that I can whip up in the kitchen or do I need to pull out the big toxic guns in order to save my plant?
Thanks very much
Claire

Answer
Hi Claire,

I cannot find your previous post, so I'm not 100% sure what the problem is with your honeysuckle.  Perhaps you asked one of the other experts.  So, I will try to help you as best I can.

Be sure to check your honeysuckle closely to try to figure out what the problem might be.  Yellowing and browning could be symptoms of an insect problem.  Look closely at the undersides of green and yellow leaves for small insects.  Also check the stem.  If you do not see anything, then it is probably not an insect problem.

If the leaves do not have spots and are simply turning yellow then brown, it does not suggest a leaf spot issue.  If there were little spots which coalesce to larger brown areas, you may be able to take care of the problem with a fungicide.  Your plant's problem sounds like something affecting in the stem or roots.  You can try to use a fungicide, but it may not work.  For pathogens that are in the stem and roots, they are internal in the plants and fungicides on the surface will not kill them.  

If you would like to try a homemade fungicide or insecticide, there are many recipes on the internet.  Many of them use products that are available in your kitchen or at the grocery store.  I will post a few links to other websites that have recipes.  If you find evidence of insects, I would use something with either soap or oil in it.  They may also have garlic or pepper as additional additives.  For a fungicide, I would suggest something with baking soda.  

Whenever you make up a homemade solution, you should always test it on a few leaves.  Be sure that you tag the treated area so you can come back and examine the leaves in a few days.  Spray these leaves until the spray starts dripping off the leaves.  Then, wait at least 2-3 days.  In some cases, the spray will be too strong for the plant and the leaves will show brown spots or fall off.  You may need to dilute the spray or try something different.  Many people have injured or killed their own plants when they try to save them by using something that hurts the plant.

Here are a few links.  There are many more on the web if you look for homemade fungicide or insecticide.  I have not used these, so use caution and test it before you soak your plant!

http://mastergardenergirl.wordpress.com/list-of-homemade-organic-recipes/
http://www.firstrays.com/remedies.htm
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/48125/homemade_garden_insecticides.html

Good luck!