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California Gardening

Kaffir Lime tree

18 years ago

Hi..

Last year I planted a Kaffir Lime Tree.. It's growing really well I think. But.. the new leaves (at the ends of the branches) are curled and there are many many ants.. and under these leaves are many tiny green bugs (aphids?) There seem to be the begining of buds there... What should I do???? help!! I love this little tree.

also.. the newer leaves are a little yellow.. I used some liquid fish emulsion a few weeks ago..seems to be helping a little.. any ideas on this?? thanks!

roger

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Comments (3)

butterfly15_ca
18 years ago
You might try mixing some biodegradable soap with water and pouring it into a spray bottle. Spray the insects and leaves that are ifected.
nkt38238
18 years ago
If the plant is stable and established, you can just wash off the plant using water hose. Aphids are very easy to get rid off. Aphids and other insects produce sugary substance that ants love and so protect these insects from their preditors. Once these insects go, Ants will be gone automatically.

I have Meyer Lemon (4ft) and was heavily infested with White Flies (which introduced ants, sooty mold,etc). I used Bugblaster (google it) device to spray water and it pretty much wiped them out. It's very effective. For white flies, though, you must wash them out every 5th day (not 4th, 3rd,etc.) to break their breeding/life cycle.

No need to use any chemicals, if you are persistent consistent w/ water spary. Good luck.
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True, most grow it for it's leaves. I've used my Kaffir leaves a few times in some recipes, they're delicious. So I guess if you're just using the leaves it's fine if it's a seedling that never gives you fruit. I have heard most don't use the fruit, but I guess I'm the odd one as I love the fruit. You can't use it as a direct substitute for limes, because it has a bitter finish to the taste, and a lot of folks don't like that. But I swear they make a really great Gin Gimlet! The slightly bitter/sour tasting juice goes great with gin! And, for me at least, it's a really easy tree to grow, never fusses and just keeps chugging along putting out tons of the delicious leaves and bumpy fruit.
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Looks like a goner. If you can find some seeds, try growing one from seed; the best and strongest Kaffirs are seed grown. Do not order seeds from Thailand; you will only waste your money. I don't know how many seeds people have brought me from Thailand and not a single one has ever sprouted. I would love to find a source of seed; but no one I have found from Thailand will give me any assurance as to viability.
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For the scale you will have to spray with a Horticultural oil, or neem, or even with a soapy water spray. The least effective of the 3 is the soapy water spray, so if you wish to use soap then spray 3 or 4 times. If this is an outdoor in ground tree you can easily remove the mealy bugs (white insects) with a forceful water spray using your garden hose.
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Until you correctly identify the culprit causing the problem, you can't possibly know how best to treat!! And be very careful about using ANY organophosphates (Malathion) indoors. My guess is also some sort of mollusk - slug or snail. Most of the damage is not that recent as it is showing brown or necrotic tissue along the cut edges. And they disappear into the moist soil during the day so unless you take the approach TJ suggested above, chances are you will never see them.
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Maureen Janda
18 years ago
The yellowing leaves are likely to be caused by chlorosis, especially if the veins are green and the rest of the leaf yellowing. My Meyer lemon frequently must be treated with a chelated iron product. The last brand I bought was Black Label Iron and Chelate (I think that's the name). Get whatever chelated iron product your nursery carries.

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