It probably is mold, Erica. I'm in a high-humidity area, & have found mold growing on some of my drieds. If the humidity is getting above 55% very often, it will probably be too damp. If the mold is not in a conspicuous area, maybe you could remove the affected leaves, & move the wreath to a drier area. On the porch, a grapevine-based wreath might be better, decorated with something not so apt to be affected by dampness. Maybe bittersweet berries for fall, or rosehips. Fall leaves can be dried & dipped in melted paraffin for extra sturdiness, then glued to the wreath base. Artemesia doesn't seem to be affected by the dampness too much, either.

Hello, Is the Eucalyptus plant outside or do you have it inside a heated area? If you have it outside, it could be the cold weather that is killing it. Ohio is a bit cold for most eucalyptus trees from what I can remember (although I think there are a few species that will grow in your USDA growing zones). If it's indoors, then I'm having the same problem with mine (gangly growth, and it's dying back, but I think the dying back might be due to a nutrient deficiency in my soil) I'm thinking that the gangly growth could be due to the higher indoor temperatures combined with low light levels of winter, although I could be wrong there. Hope that helps and Good luck with your plant :) -Adam PS: I know that there's an invasive eucalyptus problem in California because of the similar Mediterranean-style climate to many parts of Australia. Considering the big difference in climate between Ohio and Australia, I wouldn't think there'd be any problem with eucalyptus becoming invasive there.

In this area gnats of all kinds along with other bugs are trying to find safe places. One year every time any of the doors were opened the gnats would fly from their resting places. I suspect this is what is happening. If it is the gnats will be there even if she removes the wreath although not as many.

It may be the fertilizer. Eucalyptus hails from Australia, and the soil there contains no phosphorus, so the plants evolved to do without it. It is generally not recommened to fertilize any Aussie natives, and in a pot, where the fertilizer can't leach outwards, the demise is likely even faster. :-(