Blisters On Leaves

Question From: 
Trish in  Clear Island Waters,  Gold Coast QLD

 

Nature of problem: 
Blisters on leaves.

 

Type of Plant (if known): 
Szygium Aussie Gem

 

Symptoms of Plant Illness (please try NOT to diagnose your problems yourself): 
I have two plants planted next to each other. One has developed a blister type of problem on some of the leaves, getting worse.

 

Soil Type (e.g. sandy, clay or loam) OR Potting Mix Type: 
Sandy plus potting mix plus rooster booster and a squirt of Seasol when planted. Water regularly, maybe too much. Look very healthy apart from the blistering problem.

 

How often do you water the plant:
Every day in heat, less when overcast or coolish.

 

How many hours of sunlight does the plant get each day:
About 4 hrs. In winter it does not get any sun.

 

What type of plant is it:
Szygium Aussie Gem purchased from Bunnings

 

How long since you planted it:
About 4 months

 

Have you fertilised? If so, with what and when:
Seasol when planted, Rooster Booster about a month ago.

 

Is the plant indoors or outdoors: 
Outdoors

 

Is the plant in a pot or in the ground: 
Ground.

 

What other treatments have you given the plant: 
None

Upload photo if available: 

Other Comments: 
Help! I have been growing these to form a hedge to cover our pool pump area. What can I do?

 

Answer: Hi trish, Assuming that the “blisters” are about the size of a match head, then you have psyllids. Some lilly pillies are prone to this and there is little that you can do about it. On the Burkes Backyard website we list psyllid resistant varieties of lilly pillies. Try using a wetting agent such as Seasol Super Soil Wetter in case you have a water repelling soil. This may help the plant’s resistance to these insects.  Don