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citrus tree question
On Friday, March 27, 2015 at 5:19:36 PM UTC-7, ~misfit~ wrote:
Once upon a time on usenet ~misfit~ wrote: [snip digression] Back to the scale insect issue though... I've recently been using Neem oil and while it's too soon to say that it's a complete success I do have far less scale insects than I used to. I really don't want to just blitz the insect population of my trees as each one is like a mini ecosystem. Yes there are a few aphids but there are also ladybugs. There are a few whitefly but the trees also act as nurseries for young jumping spiders who feed on the whitefly. I think that for long term success we can't simply remove one component of an ecosystem (the fruit tree) and grow it in isolation. It's not good for the tree, the planet or us. The secret is not letting any one 'pest' get to the stage where it threatens the tree's health. I forgot to mention amongst the ecosystems of my trees I often see tiny parasitic wasps which help to keep the scale insects in check. Also all my containers have large saucers so there's a moat around them at all times to keep ants away. Ants will farm the scale and aphids if you left than have access. -- Shaun. "Humans will have advanced a long, long, way when religious belief has a cozy little classification in the DSM." David Melville (in r.a.s.f1) Kol HaKavod (good job) Shaun. I'm very impressed by your daring & initiative in traversing such a potential minefield with the success that you report! Hypatia |
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