Question From:
Bianca Recht in Neerim , Melb. VIC
Nature of problem:
Black smelly slug
Type of Plant (if known):
cherry tree
Symptoms of Plant Illness (please try NOT to diagnose your problems yourself):
Leaves are curled and shell like- the slug eats away at the leaves
Soil Type (e.g. sandy, clay or loam) OR Potting Mix Type:
black soil with clay under it
How often do you water the plant:
Only in very hot weather
How many hours of sunlight does the plant get each day:
plenty
What type of plant is it:
Cherry tree of organic stock
How long since you planted it:
3 years
Have you fertilised? If so, with what and when:
I fed NutraKelp – 8 months ago in 2014 – which made all my trees flourish amazingly. No I don’t fertile with animal matter.
Is the plant indoors or outdoors:
outdoor, orchard open space
What other treatments have you given the plant:
Talcum powder, Citrus spray, Bordeaux
Upload photo if available:
Other Comments:
I also placed a lot of mulch after not having not doing so for 2 years, just to see if that helps. No it doesn’t.
It is not water logged. It is windy sometimes as it is an open space orchard. There is about 5 meters between all the trees. I also have stone fruit and few nut trees.
If I don’t spray the trees, they don’t grow.
When should I prune , after the fruiting?
The Plum trees have similar problem.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Answer: For the Pear & Cherry slug you might try spraying with Neem oil or Yates Success (both are natural products). Yes, prune after fruiting. Don