We all want our plants to grow and look their best and in this case, having suspicious white spots on Camellia leaves can be a cause for concern to your shrubs look at the very least.
In short, some of the causes for white spots on Camellia leaves include pests, powdery mildew and Camellia leaf gall.
So if out of the blue you have noticed unusual white spots whether dots or in patches, you need to have a look at what’s going on with your Camellia so you can make some changes.
Pests causing white spots
Camellia plants can be intruded by a variety of pests such as aphids, scales, spider mites and mealy bugs to name a few.
These annoying pests feed on the sap of the foliage of your plants and can cause holes in the leaves, dehydration of the leaves, drooping leaves and leave behind sooty mold.
If you notice small white spots on the plants leaves, especially the underside then it’s certainly possible you have a pest issue such as scales or mealy bugs.
White webbing can also be a sign of mites so that’s another thing to keep an eye out for.
Either way, if you suspect you have a pest invasion going on then you should deal with them as soon as you notice these signs.
Solution
Pests can be dealt with in a variety of ways such as using a clean towel with rubbing alcohol to wipe down the leaves or just water on it’s own to remove them.
On the other hand, some pests can be more difficult to get rid of such as scales and may require treatment with things like neem oil or other stronger things for pest control on plants.
I recommend this neem oil if you’re looking for some.
Also if you are certain you have a pest issue at hand, it’s best to move the affected plant away from other plants so the pests don’t spread from your Camellia to the others.
Powdery mildew
Powdery mildew can certainly cause white spots on Camellia leaves or it can take over the entire leaf or plant if left untreated.
Powdery mildew can be caused by a variety of factors such as high humidity, low light, water splashing and can be transferred from the soil or even the wind can bring fungal spores to the plant.
In any case, if you notice a powdery white substance affecting the leaves of your Camellia then you most likely have an issue with Powdery mildew and this should also be treated quickly.
Solution
First if you can, you want to trim or prune back any affected areas of the mildew as that will help prevent the spread of it further.
Next you can apply a fungicide to treat the mildew whether it be a premade solution that you can buy online or you can use things like baking soda and water or other DIY combinations to treat this issue.
Whichever works for you and your budget will be the way to go.
Camellia Leaf Gall
Camellia leaf gall is caused by a fungus known as exobasidium vaccinii which can occur in the fall and mainly winter as the fungus overwinters in the soil.
This fungus is then transferred by being splashed by water or once again can be carried to the host by the wind.
Camellia leaf gall can cause all sorts of issues such as twisting and thickening the leaves in a very unnatural way and affecting future blooms.
Over time as this fungal issue progresses, you will notice white spots on the underside of the leaves before the galls will eventually turn brown and fall of during the spring.
Solution
Unfortunately, Camellia leaf gall can’t be treated with fungicides so the best solution will be to just remove the affected parts of the plant and dispose of those parts.
You don’t want to place the removed leaves in any soil you plan on growing in as the spores will continue to spread and will latch onto another plant eventually.
Conclusion
So there you have it, some of the most common causes for unsightly white spots or patches on your Camellia shrub and what you can do about it today.
I hope this has helped some of you out there that are wondering why your Camellia leaves have turned white and now you know!