Need a little help with my tree as it seems to have bugs.

DimmaDan · White Belt Joined: 09 Jul 2005 Posts: 7 Location: Sunny UK

Hello I'm Dan and I'm new to this site.

I have had my tree (Carmona Macrophylla) for almost 3 years with no problems at all.

I have recently found when watering that when i drain the tree, there are small white bugs floating on top of the water.

What are these? The tree has started to loose its rich green colour and is now looking a lighter green. For the last 4/5 months it does not seem to have been producing many new leaves or shoots.

The tree is kept on my window sill( the radiator is never on and the windows are mainly open) and it has been fine thee for 3 years.

How do i get rid of these bugs?
They look only small at the moment, but I'm sure these are what killed my Serissa a few months back.

Stymie

Hiyah Dan.
The first line of action against insects is a fine spray of water to which a little soft soap or even washing up liquid has been added. This is not injurious to your tree if not applied in sunshine and can go onto the compost as well. This often takes care of any infestation by aphids and other delicate bugs. Second string would be a systemic spray if that doesn't take care of things. I used one which is marketed by Prava last year. I think that it's called 'Bug Gun' and is readily available at UK nurseries. I got mine from B&Q. It claims to be effective for six weeks with one application. There are insecticides which are specific for things like vine weevils but I hope that you will not need any of those Rolling Eyes

The loss of condition may be unrelated to the insects influence. I would withold any feeding until after it perks up. Come back as often as you like.

DimmaDan · White Belt Joined: 09 Jul 2005 Posts: 7 Location: Sunny UK

Thanks for the advice, under closer inspection there does not seem to be any bugs on the leaves or bark, they just seem to be in the soil around the roots like in my serissa which is now dead. The plant has been misted and sprayed with a "Big Clear" gun. I'm stuck!

Stymie

Dan. Your kind of tree can be re-potted with care at any time of year so maybe you should tip it out of the pot and see if the nasties are doing anything mischievious to the roots.
It would be possible to rinse away all the compost along with the unwanted guests, preferably with slightly warm water. Trim any diseased or damage roots away, then you could plant it in new, clean, free-draining compost. How long is it since it had a re-pot?.
If you do this, don't give it any feed until it has shown new growth for a month. There will be sufficient food in the new compost for the time being. I wish you luck, the above is suggested as you seem to be rather worried that it is destined to follow the Serissa. Believe me when I say that Carmona is made of sterner stuff.

DimmaDan · White Belt Joined: 09 Jul 2005 Posts: 7 Location: Sunny UK

Thanks for that. I has been about 6/8 months since i last re-potted it. I have some new free drainage compost so ill do some checking on the roots tomorrow and let you know how i get on

Tuppence2

Hello Dan,

Just to say "nice to meet you". Good luck with the problem. I'm sure you get the advice you need here.

I've just sprayed a group planting I have because it has brown scale-like blotches on the undersides of the leaves - used a Rose and Flower insect spray.

Bye,
Penny.

DimmaDan · White Belt Joined: 09 Jul 2005 Posts: 7 Location: Sunny UK

Right, its been really well re-potted, nice and tight.

Only found a few white fly in the soil so that must be a good thing.

I'm going to make sure i spray it more regularly from now on.

I guess i now have to wait for it to loose a few leaves before it starts to pick up again.

Cheers

Dan

Dick

Generally, it's not necessary to repot because you have insects. Eradicating the insects properly will restore the plant's health.

DimmaDan · White Belt Joined: 09 Jul 2005 Posts: 7 Location: Sunny UK

But how do you get to the bugs in the soil?

Dick

If the bugs are in the soil, it sounds as if you have fungus gnats. The females live in the soil and the males fly from plant to plant.

You can water or soak the plant with soapy water. It will not harm the plant but it will kill off the bugs in the soil. A few drops in a basin of water and submerge the entire pot above the soil line in the basin for about five minutes. Then romove and let it drain properly. You can re-do this again every couple days over the next two weeks and that should take care of everything in the soil. Watrer with regular water in between soakings. to wash out the soapy residue.

DimmaDan · White Belt Joined: 09 Jul 2005 Posts: 7 Location: Sunny UK

Are fungus gnats pure white, and rather small?

Dick

The ones in the soil are mostly white and very small indeed. Under a magnifying lens, they will look worm-like in appearance.