Oleander Sooty Mold: Sucking Insect Source and Seasonal Control Timing

Spread Pattern Lori (coastal NC island): black sooty substance on oleanders, started one plant last summer, spread to 2 adjacent + 8 along fence. Ground-up progression. Many more at risk. Cause: Sucking Insects → Honeyd

Indoor Gardenia Decline: Watering, Temperature, and Repotting Protocol

Decline Timeline Madeline (Long Island, NY): gardenia tree lost buds summer, brought indoors September. Since: thinning, brown/black brittle leaves. Recent repot didnt help. Cut dead branches. Full sun, 60-65°F. Key Mis

Maple Trunk Holes: Sapsucker Damage with Merit Insecticide Deterrent

Observation One of 13 2-year-old maples: water running down trunk, small holes. Others unaffected. Diagnosis: Woodpecker/Sapsucker Holes Maples = thin bark → easy sap flow from minor damage Two scenarios: Bird after in

Mature Meyer Lemon Fruit Quality: Scale and Skin Disorder Management

Situation Don (San Diego): 15-year-old Meyer lemon, good production but fruit has scale and rough brown skin. Seeks spray to eliminate both. Unified Treatment Pure Neem Oil (Dyna-Gro) — organic, non-washing Controls sc

Indoor Orange Tree Spider Mites and Leafminer: Post-Treatment Monitoring

Current Status Sheilas multi-year indoor orange: dry curling leaves, spidery webs on branches. Sprayed insecticide, then washed with soapy water. Assessment Problem likely addressed by treatments so far Dry/curling lea

Indoor Dwarf Meyer Lemon Spider Mites: Neem Oil as Miticide Solution

Problem Linda (Arkansas): dwarf Meyer lemon indoors since April, lost most leaves, webs present. Suspects spider mites, needs chemical recommendation. Solution: Neem Oil as Miticide Pure Neem Oil (Dyna-Gro) — Kathys un

Solarium Key Lime: Ants, Sooty Mold, and Neem Oil Solution

Severe Infestation Annes key lime in solarium: ants everywhere, extreme black/green mold on leaves. Tried just about everything. Integrated Neem Oil Protocol Pure Neem Oil (Dyna-Gro) — non-washing, spares beneficials S

Money Tree Stem Fungus: Neem Oil and Watering Correction

Observation Peters 6-month braided money tree: thin cotton-like layer at soil line on trunk. Treatment Pure Neem Oil (Dyna-Gro) — non-washing, spares beneficials Spray soil and plant for full protection Fungicide + mit

Gardenia Topiary Decline: Sooty Mold, Aphids, and Cultural Needs

Rapid Decline Elizabeth (South FL): 2 large outdoor gardenia topiaries went from gorgeous to half-dead in November. Leaves dark/yellow/brittle, wasps landing, sticky residue. Some January regrowth. Diagnosis Black soot

Wax Myrtle Stem Growths: Disease Complex Requiring Pruning and Monitoring

Symptoms Don (Brevard County, FL): small black growths on wax myrtle stems, rough protrusions. Scraped: wet, purplish. Sprayed 50% malathion (3 tbsp/gal) — some drying of growths. Infected branches have black mold on lea

Indoor Lemon Tree Honeydew in Ireland: Scale/Aphid Management with Neem Oil

Problem Mary (Ireland): indoor lemon tree, sticky residue on leaves and single fruit. Following care instructions but issue persists. Diagnosis: Honeydew from Sucking Insects Sticky residue = honeydew (aphids, scale, m

House-Sitting Lemon Tree Crisis: Sooty Mold, Insects, and Weed Competition

Emergency Situation Jeanie house-sitting: lemon trees with color-changing leaves, leaf drop, dying fruit, black substance on branches, small plants growing in pots. Immediate Triage Wash off black: Ivory/Joy dish soap

Bamboo Seed Germination: Species Diversity and Growth Realities

Question Ampie asks if bamboo seed takes 6 years to germinate. Bamboo Complexity Many species across all climates Two types: Running (invasive, contain in pots) vs. Clumping (manageable) Kathy: 53+ varieties at nursery

Mango and Lemon Tree Spiderweb Material in India: Neem Oil Solution

Mango tree in southern India heavy with flowers has spiderweb-like material spreading to lemon tree. Expert doesn’t know Indian insects but recommends 100% pure neem oil spray (neem originates in India) or copper spray.

Sago Palm Scale in Maryland: Asian Scale Identification and Reality Check

Symptoms Loris sago palms (Maryland, overwintered in workshop): tiny brown dots under fronds (lower edges), fronds appear dying. Diagnosis: Asian Scale Same epidemic as Florida (Articles 2526, 2533) — Aulacaspis yasumat

Citrus Leafminer Management: Biology, Cultural Control, and Limited Chemical Options

Current Situation Navel orange and grapefruit with fruit still on tree, showing leaf curl and leafminer. Asks about Volck oil spray timing and pre-harvest interval. Volck Oil Limitations Only deters egg-laying on YOUNG

Fungus Gnat Management: Soil Moisture, Barriers, and Biological Controls

Problem Clarification Mariana (Edinburgh, Scotland) asks about black flies (fungus gnats) after reading treatment advice. Has banana, Christmas cactus, ivy, gardenia, palm, jasmine ivy. Humid climate. Expert Correction

Plumeria Bloom Failure: High-Phosphate Fertilizer Solution

Problem Plumeria produced leaves but no blooms last year while everything else flowered. Nutrient Imbalance Diagnosis Excess nitrogen, insufficient phosphate — nitrogen → vegetative growth; phosphate → flowering. Presc

Stone Fruit Pest Management: Neem Oil for Plum/Peach and Poison Ivy Control

Fruit Tree Issue Annettes plum and peach (Zone 7b, Raleigh NC): heavy fruit set but spots, holes, premature drop at ripening. Asks for spring fungicide/insecticide recommendations. Nursery Protocol: Pure Neem Oil Only

Citrus Wound Treatment: Copper Sulfate Risks and Proper Bordeaux Mix

Problem Bobs 8-year-old orange: large limb wound coated with copper sulfate by local person. Now tree dying, small fruit. Last year beautiful. Kathys Philosophy I do not cover the wounds of my trees. Natural compartment