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My hardenbergia has been relatively healthy recently but when i went out this morning to check on it after a couple days this had happened, its only effecting the leaves towards to bottom of the plant, Help!
Sorry about the slow response @Samuelcope.
Can you please tell us where you are based? It might also be helpful for community members to know how established your plant is, what the growing conditions are, and how and what you have been watering and feeding it.
Here's some previous Hardenbergia discussions that might provide some helpful advice:
Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community. We trust you'll get loads of helpful advice and inspiration for all your projects around the house and garden.
Jason
Hello @Samuelcope
Thank you for sharing that extra information about your location. Living near Perth with sandy soil, consistent rain, and using Osmocote Native slow-release fertiliser provides a good foundation for your Hardenbergia. However, the symptoms you’re seeing, particularly the mottled or silvery patches on the leaves still suggest damage from sap-sucking pests, most likely leafhoppers, and potentially some stress related to soil conditions.
Sandy soil, while free-draining, doesn’t hold nutrients or moisture well for long, even with good rainfall. With lots of recent rain, nutrients can leach away quickly, and even a slow-release fertiliser like Osmocote can be diluted or washed through the root zone before the plant gets full benefit. That means your Hardenbergia may be under mild nutrient stress despite your feeding routine, making it more susceptible to pest damage.
Your watering is probably sufficient thanks to the rain, so the focus now should be on pest control and giving the plant a little boost in between fertiliser doses. Try applying a liquid seaweed tonic like Seasol or PowerFeed every two weeks. These products don’t just feed the plant but also support root development, immunity, and recovery from stress. It can help bridge the gap between slow-release applications, especially during wetter months.
In terms of treatment, continue to monitor the undersides of the leaves and apply Eco Oil or Neem oil every 5 to 7 days until the speckling stops spreading. Avoid applying during strong sun or just before rain. Once pest activity drops, reduce oil treatments but keep up with seaweed tonic and general care.
Lastly, mulching around the base with chunky organic mulch (like pine bark or native mulch) will help retain soil moisture and reduce temperature swings in the sandy soil, which can otherwise stress native plants.
With a combination of pest management, soil conditioning, and regular feeding, your Hardenbergia should bounce back and start producing fresh, healthy growth again.
Please remember to wear personal protection such as gloves, goggles and a mask when spraying your plants.
If you need further assistance, please let us know.
Eric
