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Hawaii Gardening

Help ID what's eating my coffee tree!

8 years ago

Here in Seattle, WA, I have a little 3 year-old Coffee Arabica that I picked up as a seedling on my honeymoon on the Big Island. This year, I've got a nice spot for it with good sunlight, and this summer we've had plenty of it, so it's really getting some good growing done right now.

Recently something's been eating it though! (Take a look at the photos for reference).

There are 2 issues:

Little black... dots. Fly speck scale? They're so small, maybe they're just dirt?
Something is eating the leaves from the outside inward. But not really near any of the black dots.

Since it's still such a small and delicate plant, and a lot of the treatments for scale seemed like I might just kill the whole tree outright if I messed up, I'm hittin' up the Internet in my moment of need to see if anyone can shine a light.

Mahalo!

I was hoping the marigolds would help. Doesn't seem to have done much.

What are you, mysterious black spots?

They're really small.

Bites taken, but no one biting?

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Comments (4)

steiconi
8 years ago
have you tried washing off the black spots? Just asking...

I understand coffee likes hazy afternoons, so full sun all day is too much for them. That might be causing the brown patches you didn't ask about.

Obviously, some kind of chewing critter is eating that leaf. Have you checked the soil? I'm kind of thinking slug, snail, or caterpillar. Maybe a teensy caterpillar would leave tiny black droppings.

I would probably soak the entire plant, pot and all, for about 5 minutes or more in water with a little NON ultra dish detergent. (The Ultra would strip the waxy coating off the leaves). That will kill bugs on the leaf surface and in the soil. No need to rinse. I do this with every plant and cutting I bring home; the plants never seem to mind. Sometimes I have to use a garbage can for the soaking.

The other possibility is a flying critter eating the leaves. The soap might deter it, horticultural oil might be better, but I'm not good with that stage...
Brad Granath
Original Author
8 years ago
I've moved it into some shade, so, the sunburn should get better. I cleaned off the plant and the pot, but didn't see anything other than what might have been a couple thrips? They are squished now. I was thinking of visiting a local nursery to pick up some ladybugs. I have some other pots that need cleaning out anyways...
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I do see what looks like little black ants crawling up the tree, and back down but they are never on the leaves. no more than 3 or 4 at a time. I am assuming they are ants, because I did have a black ant problem in my house a few years back, next to my sink and kitchen window. I do see a large bug on the leaves every so but never more one at a time. Are spiders harmful to the trees? I constantly have spiders in them. making webs until I water them or it rains. The soil is a little dry on the top but it is fairly most when I stick my finger in it. The temps have been fairly cool here for this time of the year in the low 70Ã¢ÂÂs to upper 70Ã¢ÂÂs. It is starting to warm up. I know in the summer that cement will get very hot as will the weather but it also rains here almost every day in the summer with an afternoon shower. And cools it down a good bit. I will check out the root ball and trim the dead parts of the tree and get rid of tags and do the spray you recommend. I have bug guy coming to look at my property this weekend to help with my recent flea problems and prep for termite season. Maybe that will help get rid of any pest I am not seeing. Any other tips or suggesting for dealing with potted citrus
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Brad Granath
Original Author
8 years ago
Wait, so, like, dunk the whole thing? The soap isn't bad for the roots?
steiconi
8 years ago
Nope, not bad for roots. I've heard it actually acts like a mild fertilizer. Just make sure you don't use the Ultra. I killed a dozen vireya trusses by grabbing the wrong bottle of detergent.

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