Eelworms (leaf and bud)

Symptoms

Leaves and yound shoots look distorted and discoloured and growth is checked in early spring. Hanging limply, they start to die from the bottom of the plant spreading upwards.

Spot them

Eelworms are hard see and symptoms can be caused by other problems. To ensure the problem is eelworms, break affected leaves into small bits, and leave in a glass of water for 30 minutes. Tiny, moving masses of eelworms would be seen at the bottom.