What Is Wrong With My Bittersweet Vine?

Are the leaves yellow and covered by small bumps?

Are the leaves curled and yellow?

Are there sticky white froth present on stems and leaves?

Are there dark spots or blotches present on the leaves?

Do the leaves have a powdery white coating on them?

Yellow leaves covered by small bumps are caused by scales. These tiny, shelled insects often feed on the undersides of the leaves, causing an unhealthy appearance with yellowish blotches on the upper leaf surfaces. Scrape off minor infestations with your fingernail. Prune out badly infested growth, or use a soft brush and soapy water to gently scrub the scales off the stems. Control scales by spraying insecticidal oil during the growing season.

Distorted, curled leaves are caused by aphids. These tiny insects can vary in color, green, pink, black, gray to completely white. They cluster under leaves and on growing tips where they feed on plant sap. Leaves, stems, and buds get distorted, and later leaves and flowers drop from the plant. You can control them by washing them off the plant with water spray. Insecticidal soap should be used with severe infestations.

These symptoms indicate the presence of the female two-spotted treehoppers. The female lays eggs on the plant and covers them with a frothy substance that in itself does not harm the plant. But once these eggs hatch, the emerging nymphs suck the sap of new leaves around them, and then the adults move around freely, also sucking foliage sap. To control these pests, spray infested vines in late winter with a dormant oil spray to smother the eggs. If nymphs are visible, spray them with pyrethrin every three to five days for three weeks.

Several fungi cause bittersweet leaves to develop dark spots or blotches. Serious attacks cause vines to look unsightly and interfere with their ability to flourish. Pick off any spotted leaves as they appear and discard them in the trash to prevent the spread of the fungus. Clean up any fallen leaves for the same reason. Spray foliage with a copper fungicide to prevent heavy infections. Read the label and follow the instructions.

White, powdery coating on the leaves is caused by a fungal disease Powdery mildew. Powdery mildew usually appears in damp places. Encourage good air circulation around the affected plants by thining any surrounding plants. Water plants from bellow to keep foliage dry. Any affected leaves should be cut off and removed.

If your bittersweet is not producing fruits, you may have only male or only female plants. The male and female flowers of bittersweet are produced on separate plants. Both male and female plants are needed for fruiting. If there are plants of both sexes and still no berries appear in fall, the plants are probably too far apart. Move them closer together.