white powder like substance on pinus mugo
AOR
I have a couple of Pinus mugo in training pots , within the cone there
is a white powder like material forming , is this harmful, what can I
do to get rid of this...
many thanks Allen
lankyshires
I had this problem a couple of years ago. I was advised that it was
probably wooly aphid
which like to hibernate in pines. The solution I was given was to
prepare a spray of weak
insecticide and add a few drops of detergent eg fairy liquid to the
mixture. Apparently the
wooly part contains an oil which prevents liquid getting to the aphid
itself. The detergent helps
to break down this protection allowing the insecticide to get to
work. On the first occasion
(pick a calm not too cold a day) and give the tree a good spray.
Avoid getting the liquid on the soil
by tipping the pot on its side.
If it persists, try dipping a small paintbrush in the liquid and do
each "cone" individually.
If this doesn't do the job then it may be a fungal infection. Do
exactly the same as above but
with a general fungicide. Again do not get any on the soil.
Hope this helps.
Lankyshires