something wrong with honeysuckle - grey dust all over it

[MostlyCake]

It's this year's plant and it's started to die. There's a grey dust over the stem and leaves and the leaves are curling up and falling off. Does anyone know what it might be and how to treat it?

About 30% of the plant is unaffected but not sure for how much longer.

powdery mildew?

Cut back hard and burn the cuttings or take them to recycling far away from your garden.

Thanks! Powdery mildew is exactly what it is. I just picked up the leaves and put them in the garden waste bin - is that ok?

I'll go and hack it back tomorrow, do I just cut back to healthy growth? Poor plant, is it likely to recover or has it had it?

it does sound like mildew, it may be stressed due to lack of water, which will encourage disease.

Cut back hard, water well, spray with systemic fungicide and it will probably start making new little leaves. Spray with systemic fungicide again, because the plant and surroundings will be covered in spores.

if the powdery leaves resist being wetted by the spray, spray it first with warm water and a little washing-up liquid.

Thanks nc I think I did neglect it a bit. It's in a pot as well which isn't helping.

I'll get fungicide but in the meantime will cut back water well and spray with soapy water - might help!