Frustrated with pests

10 years ago

last modified: 10 years ago

Hi everyone, I have a key lime tree that's potted on my porch, and a satsuma and grapefruit tree planted in the garden. I've got a sweet olive tree too but not sure if that's technically citrus?

Anyway, we got these a little over a year ago I think. They're my first citrus trees and I had no idea how to care for them, so didn't know to watch out for leaf miners. All three of the citrus were infested, but the grapefruit got it the worst.

Someone at the garden supply store told me I should start spraying with spinosad for the summer right away, since we had such a warm winter. Before I could do it, I noticed hundreds of little red dots on the citrus leaves, but again the most were on the grapefruit. After searching on gardenweb, I think they're spider mites, so I sprayed all the leaves of the trees today with a mix of water, soap, garlic, and citrus rind. It honestly took forever (maybe my spray bottle needs an upgrade), esp. to have to wash it off tomorrow and spray again in a day or two. The reason I was closely looking in the first place is because I noticed the leaves were a limey-yellowy color, in spite of getting water and being fed.

I'm feeling helpless about these citrus plants, and frustrated as well. After all these hours and effort, the trees are still not healthy. I was pretty excited to see the new growth peeking out of the grapefruit leaves just last week, and already the poor grapefruit looks so much worse. Based on what I shared here, is there something I should be doing differently in caring for these guys to help prevent one pest infestation after another? Or better preventative care available? I was told last year that horticultural oil and neem oil are bad ideas because it gets so hot here.

My friend inherited a grapefruit tree that's a bit older and said he does literally nothing for it. It's so beautiful and has a whole bounty of fruit each year. I'm thinking, "You don't have to do anything???" Does it get easier once the plants are a little older?

Thanks so much for reading and for any advice for my sanity and these trees. I really appreciate it!

Featured Answer

johnmerr

10 years ago

From a guy who lives in the tropics, where pests flourish, I would advise application of Imidacloprid 2-3 times per year, applied according to the label; it is a systemic that enters the plant killing only those things that bite or suck on the leaves, while doing no harm to the beneficials. In my experience imidacloprid does not totally stop CLM; but over time it reduces the population and the damage is almost not noticeable. Shorter term, Spinosad is a good preventive measure; but you have to start spraying it before the CLM hatch. Once you have the CLM, almost nothing kills it as it is inside the leaf, where chemicals don't reach. Systemics, like imidicloprid kill the worm inside the leaf, thus minimizing the damage and breaking the reproductive cycle. Incidentally, I also use a systemic fungicide, tank mixed and applied at the same time. Those two things make living in an insect paradise much easier.

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Comments (8)

ali b (zone 9b)
Original Author
10 years ago
Thanks, John! So, would imidacloprid work for other pests too, like the spider mites? Also, what sort of systemic fungicide do you use? Neither that nor the imidacloprid affect edibility of the fruit, I'm guessing?

I was hoping to do spinosad today but then discovered the mites, so it's on hold until they are gone. No sign of any CLM yet, thank goodness. Sounds like I should substitute imidacloprid for the spinosad for the first application, assuming no CLMs have made their way to the leaves (fingers crossed!!). Those things were such a huge frustration last year, I think that's why I'm extra annoyed by the mites popping up right when I thought we had a good plan for CLM prevention.
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johnmerr
10 years ago
Mites are a different problem that require different controls; I use a Bayer product (Oberon) to control mites; but I doubt you can get it. The fungicide I use is also Bayer (Silvacur). Anyway ask around for mite control products and for systemic fungicide; they are available; and I suppose work about as well. I like Bayer Crop Science products so much I could be a salesman.
evdesert 9B Indio, CA
10 years ago
last modified: 10 years ago
Ali b, I use imadicloprid to control the leaf miner. I would also go to your local big box store and buy a product called organicide and spray your trees with that every couple of weeks. That latter will take care of your spider mites, aphids and scale bugs that the imadicloprid won't take care of and it is an anti fungal too. Don't get discouraged, citrus trees in pots are much more difficult to care for than trees in the ground.

Evan
ali b (zone 9b) thanked evdesert 9B Indio, CA
evdesert 9B Indio, CA
10 years ago
last modified: 10 years ago
Also wanted to add that neem and spinosad are great products to use. Just make sure temps aren't going to be above 90 degrees for a week after using them or you can burn your leaves.

Evan
ali b (zone 9b)
Original Author
10 years ago
Thanks, Evan! Actually the one in the pot (lime) is doing the best out of them all. Go figure. Maybe because it's on our balcony? So, imadicloprid and organicide sound like my plan! Unless I can maybe get the Bayer products, John :) You should get a commission! Thanks very much for y'all's advice. I feel more encouraged about the trees now.
evdesert 9B Indio, CA
10 years ago
The imadicloprid is a Bayer product, also available at big box stores. I treat in late January, early February and again in August. Leaf miners show up in my area of Southern California right when it's warming up or starting to cool down and your citrus trees are pushing fresh growth. You don't say what area you're in but zone 9b is my same zone so your trees should be growing at the same time as mine. Don't remove the damaged leaves from your tree, they're ugly, but they are still working and feeding your tree. Be persistent with the organicide and imadicloprid and your trees will be fine. To answer your original question above, yes citrus trees get easier to care for as they mature, they're able to fend off pests more by themselves or survive nasty attacks better I should say. Here is a pic of the Bayer product to buy for your trees.

Best of luck and keep us posted on the progress.

Evan
ali b (zone 9b) thanked evdesert 9B Indio, CA
ali b (zone 9b)
Original Author
10 years ago
Evan, thanks again. I'm in southern Louisiana, and the grapefruit already pushed out fresh growth before the mites started. The satsuma and lime haven't yet though. I recognize that bottle and am thinking may have some in the shed that I bought last year. I'll take a look and start with the imadicloprid right away.

It's relieving to hear I can address this stuff and that future years should get easier!! Will keep y'all posted. Thanks again for all of your help.