Hydrangea involucrata Sticky Leaves - Causes & Fixes

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Aphid Infestation

Aphids are common pests on Hydrangea involucrata that pierce the plant's phloem to suck sap, excreting a sugary substance known as honeydew. This sticky residue often coats the leaves and stems of lacecap varieties.

Very Common

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How to confirm: Inspect the undersides of leaves and new growth for tiny, soft-bodied green or black insects.

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1 Apply an organic insecticide to eliminate the aphid population and stop the production of honeydew.

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2 Gently wipe the sticky residue off the leaves with a damp cloth to prevent fungal growth like sooty mold.

3 Inspect the undersides of leaves and new growth regularly to ensure no new pests have emerged.

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Scale Insects

Scale insects attach themselves to the stems and leaf petioles of Hydrangeas, feeding on sap and producing honeydew. Unlike aphids, they appear as small, stationary bumps or shells.

Common

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How to confirm: Check for small, brownish or waxy protrusions firmly attached to the stems that do not move when disturbed.

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1 Apply an organic insecticide spray to the plant to eliminate the scale insects and stop the production of honeydew.

Bonide Captain Jack's Neem Oil 32 oz

0.9 L • 1 pcs • Organic

$10

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2 Physically remove visible scale insects and any heavily infested stems using a soft cloth or cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol.

3 Wipe the sticky leaves with a damp cloth to remove the honeydew residue and prevent the growth of sooty mold.

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Whitefly Infestation

Whiteflies congregate on the undersides of foliage and excrete honeydew, which can lead to a sticky film and eventually the growth of black sooty mold. This is particularly common in humid environments favored by Hydrangea involucrata.

Common

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How to confirm: Gently shake a branch to see if a cloud of tiny white insects flies upward from the leaves.

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shopping_cart Recommended Products

1 Apply an organic insecticide to eliminate the whitefly population and stop the excretion of honeydew.

Bonide Captain Jack's Neem Oil 32 oz

0.9 L • 1 pcs • Organic

$10

In Stock

2 Use yellow sticky traps to capture adult whiteflies and monitor the severity of the infestation.

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3 Gently wipe the leaves with a damp cloth to remove the sticky residue and prevent the development of black sooty mold.

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Sooty Mold

While not a primary cause, sooty mold is a fungus that grows on the honeydew left behind by sap-sucking insects. It creates a black, soot-like coating that can block light absorption for the lacecap blooms.

Common

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How to confirm: Look for a black, powdery substance coating the sticky residue on the leaf surfaces.

build How to fix it

shopping_cart Recommended Products

1 Identify and treat the underlying insect pest (such as aphids or scale) that is producing the sticky honeydew using an organic insecticide.

Bonide Captain Jack's Neem Oil 32 oz

0.9 L • 1 pcs • Organic

$10

In Stock

2 Gently wipe the black, soot-like coating off the leaves with a soft cloth and water to restore light absorption for the blooms.

3 Monitor soil moisture levels to ensure the plant is not under stress, which can make it more susceptible to pest infestations.