Aphid infestation in large mature linden tree
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6 years ago
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Embothrium
6 years agolast modified: 6 years agoNew Homeowner
6 years agoRelated Discussions
Aphid infestation on Red Twig Dogwood
Comments (17)Oh dear, so sorry it's taken me SEVEN YEARS to reply to your comments! I'm back with another update. My beloved dogwood is still with me - as Mike noted, chopping it down did not get rid of it. Though, it did take a couple of years before new shoots started emerging. By that point, I was so impressed with its resilience that I let it do its thing. I've let it grow on and off every other year or so since then. Last summer, the shrub grew to a glorious large size and the aphid swarm was correspondingly large (black, winged aphids). It was the worst I've ever seen it - they were attacking even the mature leaves. I had to prune the shrub down to the ground as it was becoming a sticky, aphid-covered mess. To answer some of your questions: - I do not fertilize nor water this shrub at all, yet it grows lush and healthy all on its own - I live in the northern part of Zone 8 (British Columbia, Canada) - Dogwoods are native to this part of the world so it's well suited and thrives here - I've tried a ladybug release in the past, but they didn't stay on the shrub - they were pretty much all gone by the end of the day! - I haven't tried the other beneficial insects yet - willing to consider them but only have a small budget - money's very tight right now - Sorry, I didn't snap any photos of the infestations... but I will try to remember to next time it happens I'm quite sure I'm giving this dogwood the care it should get... so I'm absolutely confounded by the aphid infestations!! Any other suggestions?...See MoreMature citrus trees not posting
Comments (10)I grow Citrus on straight sand and IâÂÂve learned that you have to adjust your fertilizer applications to accommodate leaching. By the looks of your trees, they need more food, more often. The 10 year old trees should be getting 11lbs of 8-8-8 or 13-13-13 per year, divided into 4 applications of 2.75lbs (2 x 8oz cups is approximately 1lb.) through the growing season. My 1st application goes down March 1 and my last is Sept 1. Increase the rate of fertilizer 1 - 1ý lb of 8-8-8 or 13-13-13 per year through the 12th year or max of 18lbs of fertilizer per year. Broadcast the fertilizer beyond the spread of the limbs where most of the feeder roots occur a good practice is to put your left shoulder near the outer branches and hold the can of fertilizer in your right hand. You can simply walk around the tree and evenly spread the fertilizer in a 12- to 18-inch band on the outer branches of the tree. This is the foundation of your feeding schedule. Supplement to this: i) A small amount of nitrogen fertilizer (ü pound of Ammonium Nitrate or Ammonium Sulfate/year/age of tree or ý pound of Calcium Nitrate/year/age of tree) should be applied to bearing trees (trees 4 years and older) in late May or June. The rate of fertilizer is increased each year until the tree is 12 years old. This helps the tree make adequate vegetative growth and appropriate sized fruit. The additional nitrogen also will encourage the tree to set a crop the following year. ii) A micro-nutrient foliar spray once every 6 weeks. I like Keyplex HG (http://keyplexdirect.3dcartstores.com/KeyPlex-Citrus-HG--32oz-_p_91.html#C3). You can tone it down to 2oz/gallon. iii) An application of WEAK liquid fertilizer (200ppm) in between granular applications. I like JackâÂÂs 25-5-15HP (http://www.jrpeters.com/Products/Jack-s-Professional/Jack-s-Pro/General-Purpose-Formulas/25-5-15-High-Performance.html) As far as pest cpontroll goes, IâÂÂve had luck with: i) Macho 2.0 (http://www.keystonepestsolutions.com/labels/Macho_2.0FL.pdf ) Application: 1/8oz/10oz water, applied to base of tree at start of 2nd flush ii) Kocide 3000 (http://msds.dupont.com/msds/pdfs/EN/PEN_09004a35804ce82d.pdf ) Application: pre bloom, petal fall, & each flush @ the following rate: 5gal 3gal 1gal (tbsp) (tsp) (tsp) 6 9 3 iii) Greenlight Spinosad (http://www.amazon.com/Green-Light-Organic-Control-Spinosad/dp/B000BO8XZO ) Application: 2oz/Gallon H20 + 1Oz Hort Oil as foliar spray every 7 to 14 days after petal fall. This is what works for me in sand. Best, Skinn30a...See Moreplague of black insects- like large aphids
Comments (2)Maybe one of these (from UMass Landscape Message)? Nuisance Pests: Boxelder bug will soon be leaving its preferred host, female boxelder, where it feeds primarily on the seeds, and will seek shelter in protected areas, such as your house. When infested trees grow within close proximity to homes, thousands of these black bugs with red markings will cluster on the sides of homes. Birch catkin bug is still active and feeding on seeds of birch. These very small and tan-colored bugs also can be a nuisance when infested plants are close to homes or other often utilized buildings. Western conifer seedbug, which has been feeding mostly on seeds of conifers all summer, will soon seek shelter, often in homes. These bugs are rather large (approx. 3/4"), dark in color and rather slow movers. They emit a foul-smelling odor when handled. Asian ladybird beetle (ladybugs) will seek winter shelter within the next month, depending on the weather. These dull-orange-colored beetles have between zero and 19 black spots and can invade by the thousands. Although very beneficial through much of the growing season by feeding on scale insects and aphids, they become a horrific nuisance when they invade houses. When handled, this insect exudes an orange colored liquid that is not only noxious, it can stain fabrics and other surfaces. Management of House Invaders: * inspect and fix all caulking around windows, doors and attic vents. * repair all screening. * repair loose siding that may act as entry points. * once they are inside, vacuum up the invaders and then remove the bag from the cleaner and place outside. Otherwise, they will crawl out of the vacuum and re-invade the house. * "bug bomb" type treatments can be utilized; but if the above precautions are utilized, these pests will be prevented from invading in the first place. Reported by Robert Childs, Entomologist, UMass Extension Landscape, Nursery and Urban Forestry Here is a link that might be useful: UMass Landscape Message...See MoreMassive aphid infestation
Comments (9)Tenderkat, "I don't really want to spray, because I have toddlers." Not all sprays are toxic. I have been attacking the aphids (also tended by small ants) on my zinnias with GreenCure®. It helps prevent a number of foliage problems, including powdery mildew, but it also has an excellent wetting agent with spreader and sticker properties. As an added benefit, the wetting agent makes my blast of spray penetrate and wet the interior of the zinnia blossoms and wet the aphids and help dislodge them. A pressure washer filled with water and a little wetting agent (even some dish-washing liquids work well) might help wash the aphids from your trees, and that would be a nontoxic operation. A pressure washer should be able to spray high into your trees. MM...See MoreEmbothrium
6 years agolast modified: 6 years agoSmivies (Ontario - 5b)
6 years agosam_md
6 years agogardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
6 years agolast modified: 6 years agoSmivies (Ontario - 5b)
6 years agolast modified: 6 years agoken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
6 years agoUser
6 years agolast modified: 6 years agoEmbothrium
6 years agolast modified: 6 years agogordon1523
4 years agogordon1523
4 years ago
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gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)