Nick Maclaren wrote:

In article ,
Adrian Jones wrote:
A couple of days ago I noticed that the new leaf growth on my buddleia was
covered with greenfly, so I sprayed the plant with insecticidal soap.
Thinking that soap couldn't do much harm, I sprayed the heck out of it.
However, I think I overdid it because now the leaves are decidedly droopy
and very sorry looking.

What have I done? Have I killed it or will it recover? Should I cut off
the new growth and start again? (I cut it back hard about a month ago)

A few plants are sensitive - most aren't. I spray the hell out of
my conservatory plants, and none worry about it. It is also quite
possible that it is the frosty nights that have caused the problem
and nothing to do with the soap!

Some plants with shiny waxy leaves are more than a bit sensitive to wetting
agents and soaps. I virtually killed a bay tree this way. It dessicated
completely within a few days of being sprayed with soft soap. The top ended up
dead and it grew back from the roots. It did get rid of the pests too but with
serious collateral damage.

Whatever. Do nothing until it recovers, and then you can remove
dead shoots. The chances of killing a buddleia like that are small.

I expect it will grow back - buddleias are virtually impossible to kill by
accident.

Regards,
Martin Brown