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How to revive Lily Pillies?

chriszhyiyi

Hi everyone

I have questions regarding to my lily pillies

First it has black moulded leaf so I trim and spray scale gun on it and looks like I have picked all scale off

Then the lily pillies looks like got water stress, majority of the leaf fall off

Now when leaves come back it still looks sick 🙁

Any one have some idea/ suggestion about this, this tree suppose to be bushy and green now it looks so 😢

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Comments

Jewelleryrescue

Hi @chriszhyiyi tou might have lilly pilly Psyllid (sap sucking bugs)

Cure is smoothering the insects in oil based sprays (EG seasol earth care white oil and or garden insect killer like

Yates 200ml Mavrik Concentrate Insecticide $21.29

Plus other similar items in diferent brands.

MitchellMc

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community @chriszhyiyi. It's terrific to have you join us, and many thanks for your question about lilly pilly care.

It is great to see that @Jewelleryrescue has already provided a product for sap-sucking insects.

Firstly, the black mould on the leaves is often a sign of sooty mould, which can develop when scale insects are present. It’s great to hear you’ve trimmed and treated the plants for scale, as that’s an important first step. Ensure that you thoroughly inspect the plants for any remaining scale and continue to monitor them regularly.

I can see from the image that your lilly pilly is in a pot, and while they can thrive in containers, they often do better when planted directly in the garden or in larger pots. The limited space in pots can restrict root growth and lead to stress, especially if they’re experiencing any water or nutrient deficiencies. If you have the space, consider transplanting them into a garden bed or a larger pot to give them more room to spread their roots and access nutrients.

As for the water stress and leaf drop, this can occur if the plants have been overwatered or underwatered, or if they’re struggling with poor drainage. Since lilly pillies prefer well-draining soil, it’s important to check that the soil around the roots isn’t waterlogged. From your image, it also looks like the soil may be quite dry, which could further contribute to their stress. Aim for consistent moisture without waterlogging, as this will help support recovery.

Once the leaves start coming back, it’s normal for them to look a bit sickly as the plant recuperates. To support their recovery, ensure they receive adequate water—making sure to soak the soil thoroughly and allow it to drain well. You might also want to apply a balanced fertiliser designed for native plants, as this can help encourage healthy new growth. Look for a slow-release option that will provide nutrients over time. Also, some Seasol wouldn't hurt either and would help the plant recover.

Additionally, if your lilly pilly is in full sun, consider providing some afternoon shade until they recover, as excessive heat can contribute to stress.

Here's a helpful guide: How to diagnose and revive a sick lilly pilly.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell

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