Whiteflies turn citrus leaves black
Have you taken a good look at your citrus tree lately? Just turn
over a leaf or two to look at the underside and you’ll scare
yourself. Those leaves are crawling
– yes, crawling – with the highest concentration of whiteflies
that we’ve seen in quite a while.
Whiteflies turn citrus leaves black
Have you taken a good look at your citrus tree lately? Just turn over a leaf or two to look at the underside and you’ll scare yourself. Those leaves are crawling – yes, crawling – with the highest concentration of whiteflies that we’ve seen in quite a while.
You know if you have them when you spot the white stuff on the leaves, or white cobwebs on the branches or infested lemons and oranges.
Ouchie!
Whiteflies seem to be centered on citrus trees, but they quickly move on to other plants such as begonias and hibiscus.
Where does this plague come from? Probably your neighbor’s citrus trees. Whiteflies move around neighborhoods like bad news. Whiteflies turn leaves black because they suck the underside of leaves and propagate in white clusters. The white clusters are what we are seeing now as the weather turns warm, but the black leaves will come swiftly in their wake.
There are a couple of controls, and the most effective and cheapest one is Neem Oil, advises landscape architect Kathryn Matthewson. Neem Oil is from a tree in India and is considered one of the best oils for garden health. Check out www.neemfoundation.org. Another choice is Safer Insecticidal Soap, available at Orchard Supply Hardware and other garden supply stores.
When treating your citrus trees, read the directions carefully and follow them exactly as stated. Spray the underside of leaves and do it again a week later. Check with neighbors who have citrus trees as their whiteflies will happily come over and re-infest your trees.
Also, for healthy citrus trees, apply a citrus fertilizer once a month from March through October. Water thoroughly; apply the fertilizer and then slowly deep soak beneath the tree to bring the fertilizer to the tree roots.
A Reader Wants to Know: I was at a friend’s home for Easter dinner. She had a gorgeous red bougainvillea in a container in full bloom growing on a trellis. I asked her how she got it to bloom after the freeze hurt bougainvillea this past winter. She said it was a “secret.” Have you any idea how to get bougainvillea to bloom this early? – Mary
Joan Says: My guess is that her “secret” was to go to the garden center last week and buy a bougainvillea in full bloom. The nursery stock you see now has been grown under cover in greenhouses, and has not suffered freeze damage like the bougainvillea in your yard and mine. In addition, this lovely vine does not come into bloom naturally until late spring or early summer.
So, in answer to your question, go shopping at the garden center to find a bougainvillea in bloom right now. It’s the only way.
A Reader Wants to Know: Any suggestions as to where I can buy heirloom tomato plants? I don’t want to bother with seeds. – Angelo
Joan Says: Yes, but only if you want to drive to San Jose early in the morning. The Master Gardeners of Santa Clara County will be selling heirloom tomato plants, along with other tomato types and chile plants at their annual Spring Garden Sale on Sunday, April 15 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The sale will be held in the parking lot of the San Jose Mercury News, 750 Ridder Park Drive (take the Old Oakland Road turnoff from Highway 101). There is a bit of a rush and the heirlooms go rapidly – last year within an hour. So, if you head to San Jose, go very early.
