Thanks for the invaluable info Iris.

As a newbie here in Central Pennsylvania, I'm concerned that the sudden
increase in little flying/crawling critters and what appears to be fungi
(black spots) on some of my trees, is causing both me and the trees stress.
In the past two days I've had yellow leaves with small black spots on my
Chinese Elm, and little critters flying/crawling all over the &^*%)$ place
!!

After researching this critter/fungi issue it appears to me that Neem Oil is
the best solution.
I visited my local WalMart yesterday and found a product that claims to have
a 1% Hydrophobic Extract of Neem Oil and 99% Inert Ingredients (which I
assume is water).

Do you think this product might help ?

I'm getting desperate !!!

Thanks in Advance

Mark Hill - Harrisburg PA - Zone 6

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I'm getting desperate !!!


Calm down. You don't need to go into chemical warfare mode.
Here is a 10-point disease and insect-control program:

1. Info you get here or from anyone else who has not seen your
trees and the critters suspected of being responsible for
whatever damage may be occurring can NOT be considered expert
advice. We MAY be able to guess what the problem is, but we're
just as likely to be wrong.

2. Every time you see an insect -- or even several insects --
there's no need to go into "repent mode." The end of the world
is NOT nigh. Otherwise strong and healthy trees are amazingly
resilient. If they're not healthy in the first place, all the
pesticide in the world will NOT help.

3. Before you use a pesticide, READ THE LABEL. It will tell you
what insects it is approved to handle and which plants it is
approved to be applied to (or should not be applied to).

4. After you have read the label FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS TO THE
LETTER. More pesticide is not better. In fact, it is
dangerous -- to you, to you family, to your pets, and to your
trees (and to "good" insects that may be trying to help you for
free).

5. ALWAYS try the least toxic means of control first. For some
insects (scale, true bugs, etc.) hand picking is best. For
others (aphids, spider mites, etc.) a hard spray of water will
do. Yet others (whitefly, etc.) yellow sticky traps are best.
Aphids, whitefly, lacebugs, young scale all can be controlled
with insecticidal soap. Caterpillars can be controlled by the
bacteria Bacillus thuriengensis (I may not have spelled that
correctly, but it's universally called "BT"), either as a liquid
or a powder. A pyrethrin-based spray will control almost all of
these and has NO damaging residual (but apply ONLY in the evening
to protect pollinators -- bees and butterflies -- and NOT near
fishponds). Neem can be nasty. Many of the other gardening
pesticides are overkill on bonsai and dangerous for some time
after application.

6. Fungicides, generally, are ineffective if the fungus already
exists -- notwithstanding the advice given here and in bonsai
books. There is some benefit to applying a fungicide shortly
before the normal period of growth for that fungicide. HOWEVER,
most fungicides available to an unlicensed applicator aren't
particularly effective -- period.

7. Keeping your plants outside, in a location where they have
good ventilation, and on growing benches that are free of dead
leaves, old soil, and excess moisture will be better for your
trees than any amount of chemical control. Cleanliness IS next
to godliness in the world of bonsai.

8. Buy a good Insect and plant disease ID book. The Ortho Home
Gardener's Problem Solver is excellent -- as long as you can
bring yourself to ignore most of their chemical warfare
recommendations -- mostly Ortho products. Check the U.S. Forest
Service or your state forestry agency. Either will most likely
have bug ID materials for forest trees. Also check your
Cooperative Extension Office. They can ID bugs and diseases,
make control recommendations, and possibly supply you with
diagnostic tools.

9. Grow disease-resistant varieties.

10. ERADICATION IS NOT POSSIBLE. Control is. Again, a few bugs
are no problem.

Jim Lewis - - Tallahassee, FL - This economy
is a wholly owned subsidiary of the environment. - Gaylord
Nelson, 1995

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+++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++

Thanks for the detailed explanation Jim.
I'll attempt to follow your recommendations to the letter.
However, this is becoming a serious issue with my Elm.
A few days ago it looked great with lots of new growth.
Yesterday and today I've noticed more and more yellow leaves with small
black spots.
In addition, the new growth is curling up and looking sad.

A note from Nina a few minutes ago suggested that I may have a form of Elm
fungi.
I guess I'll have to find a place that can supply me with the appropriate
chemicals to combat this.
I assume it's a controlled substance and I won't be able to find it at my
local Wal-Mart ???

Mark Hill - Harrisburg PA - Zone 6


-----Original Message-----
From: Internet Bonsai Club ] On Behalf Of
Jim Lewis
Sent: Thursday, June 12, 2003 9:57 AM
To:

Calm down. You don't need to go into chemical warfare mode.
Here is a 10-point disease and insect-control program:

..............

10. ERADICATION IS NOT POSSIBLE. Control is. Again, a few bugs
are no problem.

Jim Lewis - - Tallahassee, FL - This economy
is a wholly owned subsidiary of the environment. - Gaylord
Nelson, 1995

************************************************** ******************************
++++Sponsored, in part, by Mike Page ++++
************************************************** ******************************
-- The IBC HOME PAGE & FAQ: http://www.internetbonsaiclub.org/ --
+++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++

Thanks for the detailed explanation Jim.
I'll attempt to follow your recommendations to the letter.
However, this is becoming a serious issue with my Elm.
A few days ago it looked great with lots of new growth.
Yesterday and today I've noticed more and more yellow leaves
with small
black spots.
In addition, the new growth is curling up and looking sad.

A note from Nina a few minutes ago suggested that I may have a
form of Elm
fungi.
I guess I'll have to find a place that can supply me with the
appropriate
chemicals to combat this.
I assume it's a controlled substance and I won't be able to
find it at my
local Wal-Mart ???


I doubt you can find much of anything. If you've had the rain
everyone else on the east coast has had, it undoubtedly is a root
problem. The problem with fungicides and bonsai is:

1. They (the fungicides) don't usually work, and
2. You have to buy a concentrate that will make umpteen zillion
gallons (enough to spray an orchard), when all you need is an
ounce or two. This is NOT cost effective.

Much better to buy another elm and plant it is soil that drains
VERY well.

WalMart sells fungicides for gardeners. You can buy one and try,
but _I_ would not waste my money.

Jim Lewis - - Tallahassee, FL - This economy
is a wholly owned subsidiary of the environment. - Gaylord
Nelson, 1995

************************************************** ******************************
++++Sponsored, in part, by Mike Page ++++
************************************************** ******************************
-- The IBC HOME PAGE & FAQ: http://www.internetbonsaiclub.org/ --
+++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++