Question
I recently bought a Magolia bush, i have just noticed there is something eating it as there are holes in the leaves,& also the leaves are turning brown with some sort of infestation.  I heard on a progrmme on TV, to spray plants with soapy water to stop this happening, is this true.

Answer
Bonjour Rachel,
Thanx for your question.  You may have a leaf miner infestation on the magnolia.  Yes, you can use soapy water using dishwashing liquid and water.  There are also horticultural soaps available at your local nurseries and DIYs.  Apply according to directions.  You can make you own soapy water and spray it on the plant.  Leaf miners are hard to control and as the plant grows you will find it harder and harder to treat effectively.  Sometimes they just go away and sometimes they will get worse before winter kills them off.  I hope this helps.
Tom