Question From:
Ross Murison in Romsey, Macedon VIC
Nature of problem:
Possible insects on new Tangelo tree growth
Type of Plant (if known):
Tangelo tree
Symptoms of Plant Illness (please try NOT to diagnose your problems yourself):
lots of little dots like a trail of insect footsteps
Soil Type (e.g. sandy, clay or loam) OR Potting Mix Type:
good quality dirt
How often do you water the plant:
weekly
How many hours of sunlight does the plant get each day:
all day
What type of plant is it:
Tangelo trees x 2 newly bought 3 ft high
How long since you planted it:
3 months
Have you fertilised? If so, with what and when:
packed straw around it but not next to the trunk. Always water through the straw.
Is the plant indoors or outdoors:
outdoors
Is the plant in a pot or in the ground:
in ground
What other treatments have you given the plant:
Confidor
Upload photo if available:
tangelo leaf damage1.JPG
Other Comments:
I have two new Tangelo trees from about three months ago. They are both thriving with a flush of new growth and leaves. I now seem to have some type of insect that has attacked the new leaves. I’m surprised they have been attacked as I have healthy lemon, mandarin and cumquat trees and a few years ago had a few healthy grapefruit trees but I removed them. I live in Romsey, Victoria.
Does anyone know what is causing this damage. I have just recently started spraying them with Confidor but hope this is not going to be an ongoing maintenance issue as that would be very disappointing as I can’t keep spraying them with Confidor when they get bigger and start fruiting in the coming years. Hopefully the images are clear enough.
Answer: It seems fine to me Ross. New plants get the odd hiccup due to insects, and tend not to fruit well for the first 2-3 years. The tracks are mouthprints, rather than footprints – my guess is that the damage was done to the curled-up leaf buds. Like puncturing a roll of toilet paper, you get a line of holes on the rolled-out paper later on. Go easy on the Confidor though – it is suspected of causing Bee Colony Collapse Disorder – I no longer use or recommend it. Use Natrasoap, Yates Success or caterpillar killer (Dipel) for the various insects. These are very much safer for both you & the environment. For fungal diseases use Eco Fungicide and Anti Rot for root rot. Don
