How to Get Rid of Bugs & Fungus on Camellias

Insects

• 1

  Inspect the foliage and determine the insect pest. Aphids cluster on the underside of leaves and stems and leave behind a sticky residue as they feed called honeydew. Scale insects resemble scales or rough patches primarily on camellia leaves, but sometimes on the stems. Tea scale, the most common pest of camellias, causes leaves to develop a yellow, blotchy appearance.

• 2

  Spray aphids and light scale infestations with a horticultural oil or insecticidal soap spray. Apply the spray directly to the infested areas, typically on the leaves’ undersides. Spray camellias when daytime temperatures are between 40 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit, as this is when the pests are most active.

• 3

  Making a second spray application 10 days after the first eradicates remaining pests. Wait two weeks, and then monitor the camellia for any remaining insects. Make a third application if aphids or scale are still present.

• 4

  Apply an insecticide formulated for the particular pest if problems persist. Insecticides containing acephate are effective. Follow package instructions and precautions when applying this chemical.

Disease

• 5

  Inspect the camellia for disease symptoms. Sclerotinia camelliae fungus causes flower blight in spring, Glomerella cingulata fungus causes twigs and small branches to die while a number of fungal pathogens cause root rot. Foliage with yellow mottling or discoloration indicates a viral disease. Swollen galls on the leaves’ undersides in the spring indicate a fungal leaf gall infection, but these are rarely severe enough to warrant treatment.

• 6

  Clean the bed surrounding the bed regularly, especially in spring when fungal diseases are prevalent. Remove all fallen flowers and plant material. If fungal problems appear, remove and replace the old mulch with fresh mulch.

• 7

  Prune infected leaves, twigs and flowers. Combine part bleach with 9 parts water. Disinfect the pruning shears by dipping them in this solution after each cut, otherwise the shears can spread the fungus to healthy plant material.

• 8

  Avoid overwatering and soggy soil. Root rot fungus and some other fungal diseases thrive in overly moist soils. Plant camellias only in well-draining beds and provide them with only enough water to moisten the soil.