Local master gardener recommended solution of 1/2 cup vinegar, 2 tbsp dish detergent to 1 gallon water and spray plants. Web site said to use one part alcohol to three parts water with a little liquid dish soap. Which one is correct? Use early in the day? OK to use in hot weather?
I have listed a few links for you.
Recipes are in the link for a homemade insecticidal soap.
Neem Oil is a great treatment you may also consider.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/pesticides/neem-oil-uses.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/pesticides/homemade-soap-spray.htm
My holly bush is COVERED with white 'tubes,' dense and side by side. When I trimmed the bush, I saw that underneath the leaves were deep brown/black also. Should I take it down? The damage is extensive.
Oh thank you so very much! I searched the web trying to find what it could be and you got it right away. Now I'll research neem oil.
Have a great day & really thank you!
Rose
This seems to be a severe case of Camellia Scale.
You can treat it with Neem Oil.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/holly/diseases-of-holly-bushes-pests-and-diseases-damaging-holly-bushes.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/holly/holly-problems-holly-leaf-spot-or-holly-tar-spot.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/camellia/identifying-and-fixing-problems-with-camellias.htm
One side was originally against a 4' bush and that side has not shown any growth. Is there a way to start growth there? It is a front garden with full sun.
Unfortunately that side of your holly may have died off. Lack of sunlight and air circulation may have been the cause.
You can test the branches. Do they bend or snap off? If they bend you may just wait and see if the plant may leaf.
If you have not fertilized yet this year, you could add a balanced fertilizer.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/holly/growing-holly-bushes.htm
10-yr holly bush has white spots on bottom of branches. Cause? Cure? Problem?
We want to know when to trim our holly bushes.
While most pruning is done in December, you can still prune now but it may affect the number of berries produced this year. Hollies, as with most shrubs, can be pruned back by a third of their growth. Any more than that will likely harm the plants. This article should help: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/holly/trimming-holly-bushes-how-to-prune-holly-bushes.htm
My holly plant has very dark green healthy looking shiny leaves, but just the edge of each leaf is black, like someone ran a small paint brush all around the edge. Would this be a disease or something not right in the soil?
I have not been able to identify anything by the description you have given.
Are there any other markings on the leaves? Yellowing, spots, fungus marking, insect holes?
It certainly could be caused by heavy conditioned water, for example softened water, heavy flourides.
You could treat the plant with Neem Oil, as it acts as both a fungicide and pesticide.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/holly/diseases-of-holly-bushes-pests-and-diseases-damaging-holly-bushes.htm
http://www.aces.edu/pubs/docs/A/ANR-1087/ANR-1087.pdf
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/pesticides/neem-oil-uses.htm
I noticed that our one holly bush has a noticeable number of dead leaves on some of the branches. The dead leaves also have tiny white blotches on them, almost like dried foam. The rest of the bush is beautiful and hopefully healthy. I'd like to know if there is something I can do to safeguard the rest of the healthy leaves and branches.
Are the spots powdery in nature. If so, it is is powdery mildew and can be treated with neem oil. Here is more info: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/problems/get-the-cure-for-powdery-mildew.htm https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/problems/pests/neem-oil-uses.htm
In addition, it could be scale or mealybugs, which can also be treated with neem oil. These articles should help: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/scale-bug-how-to-control-plant-scale.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/mealybugs-white-residue-on-plants-leaves.htm