Japanese Honeysuckle Leaves Have Small Spots Underneath And Leaves And Stems Are Curling And Shriveling

A: The following canker diseases are common in warm climates. They're caused by fungi that infect the plant through open wounds on the stems. Rain and overhead watering facilitates fungal spread. Here's a recipe for a homemade solution that is not toxic. Mix one tablespoon of baking soda with a teaspoon of dormant oil and one teaspoon of insecticidal or liquid soap (not detergent) to a gallon of water. Spray on plants every one to two weeks. Here is an excerpt from a Gannett newspaper article regarding invasive plants threatening Florida's ecosystem. Japanese honeysuckle is in the top 10 list. You might want to reconsider trying to save yours and replace it with something else. Lonicera japonica, or Japanese honeysuckle, is popular in landscapes all over the eastern U.S., where it’s used as a ground cover to control erosion along highways, and in gardens. The downside is that it’s a climbing vine and will cover and choke anything in its way. In Florida’s complex and delicate ecosystems, Japanese honeysuckle can cause big problems. The blooms have an attractive fragrance (and produce an edible nectar), but the sap can make humans sick or even kill cats and dogs. Despite this, the cultivation of Japanese honeysuckle is not prohibited in Florida. Best And Happy Yardening, Nancy