Scale on Kumquat: Advice for Novice
Rachael Wilson
sooty mould) and needs a good prune. Should I prune now and then treat
the scale, treat the scale and prune later etc? Any advice would be
appreciated.
gardenlen
not up with pruning citrus but mostly i think that is done after
fruiting.
can't see as pruning or not pruning prior to treatment will make any
difference.
if you have scale that will be causing the sooty mould, first you are
bound to have ants, get rid of them by mixing borax into water and
pouring it into the nest or set baits made with honey and borax or
dissolve borax and sugar in water and use them in baits. the baits are
usually set in jam jar lids with bits of stick placed so the ants can
get to the mix and carry it back to the nest where it kills the queen
and the young and hence the nest, or set up a dripping hose over the
nest this will move the ants in about 4 days.
for the scale mix white oil solution i usually make it a bit stronger
than recommended and spray liberaly over the tree making sure you get
under the leaves. spray after the heat of the sun say late afternoon.
for the future health of the tree there is a gel you can buy from
produce agencies (got no idea what its called) paint it around the
trunk the ants get stuck on it and can't climb up the tree.
also mass plant nusturtiums, marigolds and garlic chives around the
base area of the tree.
len
--
happy gardening 'it works for me it could work for you'
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"in the end ya' gotta do what ya' gotta do!!"
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Rachael Wilson
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