Lemon Tree - Diagnosis Needed Please

[VirginVegGrower]

I have a lemon tree, potted, which has been outside for Summer. I brought it back into the house a couple of weeks ago. Just looked at it and despite gaining some top growth outside, it has a sticky residue over the leaves, also what look like scale insects on the branches. Some embryonic lemons went black and dropped off - can anyone help diagnose cause/issues/potential disease and any treatment/solution needed. I am presently wiping all sticky leaves with a weak soapy solution. Am picking off the scale things as I work down.

Thanks in advance!

[roitelet]

You are probably doing the right thing with the soapy solution. The scale insects cause the sticky stuff and then this produces the black mould. While you are doing the leaves don't forget the branches, the other leaves and the undersides of the leaves, the wretched things are probably on them as well. If you are not organic then you could use a systemic insectide for house plants.

I don't think you have any disease issues just heavy insect infestation.

[VirginVegGrower]

Definite scale like insect. Just spent the last hour picking/wiping them off (not easy on a thorny citrus). Also a black smut on the leaves (some, not all) which I have been able to wipe off.

[VirginVegGrower]

You are probably doing the right thing with the soapy solution. The scale insects cause the sticky stuff and then this produces the black mould. While you are doing the leaves don't forget the branches, the other leaves and the undersides of the leaves, the wretched things are probably on them as well. If you are not organic then you could use a systemic insectide for house plants.

I don't think you have any disease issues just heavy insect infestation.

Thanks Roitelet - it appears I have it on the orange tree too although less so and that has masses if foliage. My back is breaking picking these things off - I hate spraying on our eatables (just don't do it. But on this occasion they are going to get ZAPPED. Any suggestions for a spray capable of killing these things please?

[stella]

Can I ask a lemon tree question as well.Mine has been out side all summer and something has eaten all its leaves. So now its just a green stick in a pot............shall I bin it

[roitelet]

Sorry no idea as I don't use them but I am sure that if you Google or look in the garden centre you will find something. Just make sure that it is systemic and not pyrethrum based. If it is the really nasty stuff it will say things like ' wait 2 weeks after spraying before harvesting'.

Best of luck

[roitelet]

Can I ask a lemon tree question as well.Mine has been out side all summer and something has eaten all its leaves. So now its just a green stick in a pot............shall I bin it

You could bring it in and wait and see, if you like the plant, it may come back. Or bin it and start again.

[starloc]

Thanks Roitelet - it appears I have it on the orange tree too although less so and that has masses if foliage. My back is breaking picking these things off - I hate spraying on our eatables (just don't do it. But on this occasion they are going to get ZAPPED. Any suggestions for a spray capable of killing these things please?

With scale insects, you can use things like provado bug killer but your not suposed to use on fruit plants, best to use is to go round with a cotton bud dipped in meths or ispopropyl alcohol , touch the scale insects and they die

A reason not to use provado bug killer and similar is that spraying your tree with them is usualy folowed by infestations of spider mites....., its a known problem with some insectacides , the alcohol is better ( but dont spray a tree with it! , just dab on the insects )

[starloc]

Can I ask a lemon tree question as well.Mine has been out side all summer and something has eaten all its leaves. So now its just a green stick in a pot............shall I bin it

bring it in, put it somewhere warm in bright place but not full sun ( at this time of year ) , mist the tree with water lightly every few days , check the plant is not over watered , let it dry out as with no leaves it will use little water

For rapid growth , you could put it on a heater mat to warm the roots

Keep an eye out for whats eating it, it may be in the pot, (if you keep it away rom children and pets , try some slug pellets on the pot ( check under the pot for slugs as well )

[stella]

have done all of that many thanks, fingers crossed

[dawn2007]

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Can anyone diagnose and give me any advice on treating this tree, please?

Dawn.