Thank you Craig for helping me identify what was happening to my lemon plants. The culprit is called the Citrus Leafminer. Tiny, tiny moths lay their eggs in the leaves of citrus plants and it's their larvae that eat through the leaves and leave a waxy, trailed residue. The moths prefer the young, new leaves, and it seems that if you got a huge tree, it doesn't really matter. You can just let it go.
My plants mostly only got young leaves so I couldn't just let it go. Soapy water wasn't really stopping the attack, so I followed Craig's advice and went to City Mill and bought this. It was around $18.
The directions said that for a 3-foot drip line (the width that the leaves take up) you need to dilute 1.5 oz. with 1 gallon of water. I have like a 3-INCH drip line. I guessed and used about 1/4 oz. You pour the liquid mixture at the base of the trunk (for me, stem).
So far, it seems to be working good. My newly sprouting leaves seem unaffected by the bugs. You only need to use it once a year, so now I got this whole container left. If you need some, let me know, although if your tree is fruiting I think it's best not to use it.
6 comments:
hope it works! I tried growing Thai basil on my lanai and it got all bug ridden so i had to toss it.. those buggers were tiny and white too..hmm...
It seems to be working Shun Wah. I don't think you should use it on your basil. It's systemic . . . it goes from the roots and spreads throughout the plant. Hopefully, I don't have to use it when my plant is grown and has fruits.
I am so impressed. You get green thumb!
Erick, I can't believe my plants are still alive!
Glad to help. Hope everything works out!
Craig, my new leaves are looking great now!
Post a Comment