How can I get rid of this discolouration on my Viburnum plant?

[adamlin]

Hi All,

Could anyone help with this damage to this Viburnum plant?

I think it is damage from thrips, because I have noticed similar insects there, but I'm not sure and looking for confirmation.

They have affected a large majority of a few of my plants.

Regards

[MitchellMc]

Hi @adamlin,

Quite likely thrips and possibly aphids or other insects that have joined the party.

I see you've opened up and reduced the amount of foliage and cleaned up leaf litter on the ground, which is a good start. Thrips thrive in dense foliage and over-winter in ground litter. 

I recommend grabbing some Yates 200ml Nature's Way Vegie And Herb Concentrate and a garden sprayer and thoroughly coating your plants, including the underside of all leaves. Apply every five to seven days until you notice a decline in thrips. This product also controls aphids, mealybugs, two-spotted mites, spider mites and whitefly. Next spring, keep a close eye on your plants and begin spraying again as soon as you see signs of thrips. Mature thrips are particularly hard to control, and this is likely going to be a battle for a couple of years.

Since your plants are fighting to stay alive (but showing good signs with the new growth), I'd treat them to some Seasol to help them deal with the stresses of the infestation.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell

[adamlin]

Thanks Mitchell!