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Large Citrus Butterfly or Orchard Swallowtail Butterfly (Pests)
Description: Butterfly lays its eggs on citrus branches. The larvae migrate to the leaves where they start to gorge themselves, they are able to eat through leaves very quickly so need to be removed as soon as they are seen. The larvae look like bird droppings when first hatched but as they feed on the leaves they grow fat and become olive green in colour with diagonal brown stripes edged in white. When disturbed it emits a foul odour.
Affects: All citrus and Mexican Orange Blossom (Choisya ternata) and Eristomen.
Solution: The larvae pupate after 2-3 days and cause only a small amount of damage to the leaves. Leave them to pupate and enjoy the butterflies when they emerge.
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Lawn Armyworm (Pests)
Description: It is the caterpillar of the Lawn Armyworm that causes the damage to lawns during the night. A lawn that looked great the previous evening may have developed areas of dieback overnight.
The caterpillars feed in groups, chewing the leaf blades all the way to the stem and scalping the lawn. The numbers tend to build up over summer and cause the most damage in autumn.
Affects: lawns
Solution: Place a blanket across area at night and take up in the morning , remove and destroy all caterpillars hiding under blanket.
Spray the unaffected healthy grass with Dipel. This biological control, once ingested it will kill all hairless caterpillars. It is safe for all beneficial insects and mammals. It is only active for a few days so several applications may be necessary.
Chemical spray options: Cyfluthrin based product like Yates Baythroid.
Note: Many chemicals sold can be harmful to other insects as well as some animals and in some cases, humans. Always read the manufacturers instructions and warnings before you begin and use as directed.
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Leaf Hoppers (Pests)
Description: The term leaf hoppers covers many different species that vary in size (3 to 15mm) and in colour (grey to green to yellow) Both nymphs and adults jump and the adults also fly. They are sucking insects and feed on the sap of plant
Affects: They affect a wide range of plants however some hoppers are species specific ie The rose leafhopper; the potato leafhopper ; the aster or six-spotted leafhopper spreads the aster yellow virus to woody plants like periwinke and Thunbergia species
Solution: There is usually no need to control these as the damage tends to be slight. In cases of severe infestation and damage the non chemical option would be Success Naturalyte Insect Control(derived from naturally occurring beneficial soil bacteria. Pyrethrum based insecticides can also be used.
Note: Many chemicals sold can be harmful to other insects as well as some animals and in some cases, humans. Always read the manufacturers instructions and warnings before you begin and use as directed.
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Leaf Miners (Pests)
Description: Leaf miner is the term to describe the larvae of insects that burrow into the leaf and feed from within it.
The adults may be beetles, wasps, sawflies, moths and flies.
The tunnels can be seen on the surface of the leaves as lighter colour trails. Leaf miners are classified by which layer of the leaves they mine, this will also depend where the damage is visible. Full depth mining can be seen on both sides, upper or lower cell damage can only be seen from the appropriate side.
There are many types of leaf miner and each is specific to a species of plant.
Affects: Affects Citrus, azalea, camellia, rhododendron, cineraria, dahlia, marigold and some veggies.
Solution: Leaf miner are difficult to control because the larvae tunnel within the leaf and are protected from contact insectides.
In many cases the plants are not severely affected, keep the plant healthy, water well and fertilise and remove any infected leaves.
There is a commercially available parasitic wasp that will kill leaf miner in the mine.
Note: Many chemicals sold can be harmful to other insects as well as some animals and in some cases, humans. Always read the manufacturers instructions and warnings before you begin and use as directed.
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Lily Caterpillar (Pests)
Description: The lily caterpillar is a common pest along the east coast of Australia. It is quite easy to recognise with its black, grey and yellow stripes and brown head.(the yellow stripes are more prominent as the caterpillar matures) The young caterpillars skeletonise the leaves. Adult caterpillars to strip the leaves and eat the crown, decimating the plant, leaving a slimy and unsightly mess. Severe infestations will lead to the death of the plant.
Affects: Crinum, Clivea, hippeastrum and as the name suggests plants any plant in the lily family.
Solution: When treating caterpillars it is best to spray in the early morning or evening as caterpillars tend to feed at night.
Ecological controls - Spray with Eco-neem to kill caterpillars or if there are only a few remove by hand.
Biological Controls -Dipel
Chemical controls - Baythroid Advanced Killer for Gardens.
Note: Many chemicals sold can be harmful to other insects as well as some animals and in some cases, humans. Always read the manufacturers instructions and warnings before you begin and use as directed.
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Longicorn Beetle (Pests)
Description: It is the larvae of the Longicorn Beetle that causes the damage. The creamy coloured larvae is a borer and feeds on the sapwood inside the tree and can remain inside the tree for up to 7 years. The borer tends to affect stressed or old trees.
It tunnels into the trunks and stems of woody plants and can internally Ringbark the tree (Cut the movement of water and nutrients up the tree and sugars down the tree) leading to death.
The tree that was already stressed may become more stressed and there will be more dieback, more leaf drop, yellowing of leaves. The exit holes are quite distinctive, they are oval in shape and there may be some Fras ( exceta) around the hole.
Affects: Older and stressed trees
Solution: If the tree does not look too unwell then try to improve the tree's health.
If the tree looks very sick the only option will be to remove it.
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Loopers (Pests)
Description: These group of caterpillars are so named because of the loop they make with their bodies as they crawl across the leaf. They feed on the underneath side of the leaves and leave a layer of top cells intact; this give a window pane look on the leaves.
Affects: All broad leaved plants including many vegetables including cabbages, cauliflowers, tomatoes; also some natives banksias and wattles.
Solution: If the damage is slight remove the caterpillars by hand. If more severe then spray with Dipel
(biological insecticide that damages the gut cells of the larvae to stops them feeding)
Trichogramma pretiosum is a minute parasite wasp the parasitises the eggs. It is available commercially.
Note: Always read the manufacturers instructions and warnings before you begin and use as directed.
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Magnesium Deficiency (Disease)
Description: Magnesium is a key component of chlorophyll (green of leaves). Lack of Magnesium shows the older leaves. The Magnesium the older leaves moves (translocates) to the growing tips to help the plant produce new leaves. The sides of the leaf turn yellow and spread towards the tip leaving an inverted arrow of green at the base of the leaf.
Chlorophyll is necessary in plant's production of Sugars (photosynthesis). Lacking in Magnesium leads to a loss of vigour in the plant.
Plants take up Magnesium and other nutrients from the soil. The less Magnesium available in the soil the less the plant can take up through its roots. The uptake of nutrients can be affected the pH, water content and temperature. There are times when there may be nitrogen in the soil but plant is unable to use it because the temperature is too cool, there is too much or too little water and/or the soil pH is too acid or too alkali.
Affects: All green plants
Solution: Before adding Magnesium in the form of a Epsom Salts check that the soil is not too dry/wet, the pH is neutral.
In early spring the soil may still be cold by comparison with air temp, this can lead to the upper parts of the plant using more nutrients that the roots in the cold soil are able to take up. If this may be the case you will just have to wait until the soil warms up.
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Mealy Bug (Pests)
Description: Flat, oval insects around 6mm long that are covered in a powdery wax and have a fringe of filaments around the edge.
They are suck sapping insects and produce a honeydew on which a sooty mould grows. They are however difficult to kill as the hide in crevices on the plant, around buds and even below ground around the roots.
Affects: Wide range of plants including trees and shrubs, succulents, palms, ferns and indoor plants.
Solution: Remove bugs by hand. Prune away infected branches, if a pot plant is too badly infected it may be better to just throw it away.
Control the ants to allow natural predators to eat the bugs. Green Lacewing are good at controlling Mealybugs. Cryptolaemus are Australian native ladybird beetles. They are very efficient natural enemies of mealybugs.
Can use Pest Oil or an Omethoate based insecticide like Folimat.
Note: Many chemicals sold can be harmful to other insects as well as some animals and in some cases, humans. Always read the manufacturers instructions and warnings before you begin and use as directed.
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Milk or Sow Thistle (Weeds)
Description: Milk Thistle (Sonchus oleraceaus) is a member of the Asteraceae family, it is an annual and produces huge numbers of seeds. It is an erect plant with deeply toothed leaves that grow in a spiral formation around the hollow stem. The flowers are yellow and thistle-like, each stem has more than one flower head. The seeds are attached to fluffy cypsela and dispersed by wind, water and soil.
Affects: Common in garden beds. Aphids, leaf miners and other pests of ornamental plants live on these whilst there primary hosts are dormant.
Solution: As these are annuals it is important to remove the plants before they have time to produce seeds. The seeds can last for up to 8 years so they are harder to control after the seeds have been dispersed. When taking out the plants ensure all the tap root is removed. Chemicals can be used on neglected areas but in the garden setting hand removal should be adequate.
Note: Many chemicals sold can be harmful to insects as well as some animals and in some cases, humans. Always read the manufacturers instructions and warnings before you begin and use as directed.
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Millipede (Pests)
Description: The adults have a segmented hard shell and many legs, when threatened they coil up. They feed mainly on decaying organic matter but they will eat the fleshy roots of plants and rotting fruit.
Affects: Ornamental plants
Solution: Remove by Hand. Clear up any damp areas with rotting organic material.
Methiocarb based pesticide (Baysol) has been shown to be effective against millipedes.
Note: Many chemicals sold can be harmful to other insects as well as some animals and in some cases, humans. Always read the manufacturers instructions and warnings before you begin and use as directed.
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Mole Crickets (Pests)
Description: Mole crickets tend not to be a major problem in domestic gardens. They have chewing mouthparts but it is not these that cause the damage to the lawn. They have spend most of their time underground in deep tunnels and the damage is caused as they tunnel under the lawn and break the roots from the shoots.
The key indicators that you have Mole Crickets will be wiggly lines or patches of yellow grass across the lawn and the presence of holes in the lawn.
Affects: Turf Vegetable and flower crops
Solution: They tend not to be a huge problem. Remove by hand There is a commercially available contact insecticide, this is very toxic and not recommended.
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Mouse-eared Chickweed (Weeds)
Description: Cerastium glomeratumThis is a weed commonly seen in flower beds and vegetable patches. The clusters of white flowers produce lots of seeds which are dispersed by the wind and during any cultivation activities. It has bright green slightly hairy leaves and white terminal flowers in clusters.
Affects:
Solution: Removal by hand before the plant has a chance to produce any seeds. It may take a while but persistence will pay off and you will see a considerable reduction in weeds.
If you are clearing a large heavily infested area then a Selective Broad-leafed Herbicide can be used.
Note: Many chemicals sold can be harmful to insects as well as some animals and in some cases, humans. Always read the manufacturers instructions and warnings before you begin and use as directed.
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Mullumbimby Couch (Weeds)
Description: Cyperus brevifolius: These are very difficult weeds to remove from you lawn. They are a narrow leafed weed which means it is unaffected by broad-leafed herbicides. They are a perennial clumping sedge (family Cyperaceae) with shiny green leaves and triangular shaped stems which produce clusters of tiny flowers with, most commonly, three green bracts. They reproduce by seed and their rhizome roots.
Affects:
Solution: Keep lawn healthy and well fed during the warmer months.
Remove by hand, taking care to remove all the roots as new plants will grow from pieces of root left in the ground
Use a selective herbicide for Cyperaceae on lawns.
Note: Many chemicals sold can be harmful to insects as well as some animals and in some cases, humans. Always read the manufacturers instructions and warnings before you begin and use as directed.
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Myrtle Rust (Disease)
Description: Myrtle rust is a serious fungal disease which was first detected in Queensland in 2010.
First signs of myrtle rust infection are tiny raised spots or pustules on infected leaves. After a few days these pustules turn a distinctive egg-yolk yellow colour. The rust poses no threat to human or animal health.
Affects: Myrtle Rust affects plants belonging to the Myrtaceae family including
Australian natives like Callistemon, Tea Trees, Melaleuca, Corymbia and Eucalypts. Popular garden plants like Austromyrtus inophloia syn.Gossia inophloia are also susceptible.
Solution: Do not move the infected plant material to avoid spreading the disease, and report all suspect plants immediately to your local state exotic pest hotline - 1800 084 881.
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Nitrogen Deficiency (Disease)
Description: Nitrogen is a key component of chlorophyll (green of leaves). Lack of nitrogen shows up in all leaves, they become paler and the lower leaves turn yellow.
Chlorophyll is necessary in plant's production of Sugars (photosynthesis). Plants that are lacking nitrogen not only have pale leaves but also a reduced the vigour.
Plants take up nitrogen and other nutrients from the soil. The less nitrogen available in the soil the less the plant can take up through its roots. The uptake of nutrients can be affected the pH, water content and temperature. There are times when there may be nitrogen in the soil but plant is unable to use it because the temperature is too cool, there is too much or too little water and/or the soil pH is too acid or too alkali.
Affects: All green plants.
Solution: Before adding nitrogen in the form of a nitrogenous fertiliser check that the soil is not too dry/wet, the pH is neutral.
In early spring the soil may still be cold by comparison with air temp, this can lead to the upper parts of the plant using more nutrients that the roots in the cold soil are able to take up. If this may be the case you will just have to wait until the soil warms up.
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Nutgrass (Weeds)
Description: Nutgrass (Cyperus esculentus) is a member of the Sedge family (Mulumbimby Couch) and is named after the small, nut-like tuber that is part of its rhizomatous roots. It has lighter green, thinner and taller leaves than the rest of your lawn grass so is relatively easy to identify. The stems are also triangular while lawn grasses tend to have circular stems.
Affects: This is a noxious weed as it is quite difficult to eradicate completely.
Solution: Digging it out is a possible remedy but you have to be diligent to remove all signs of its roots which will leave the lawn looking rather messy for a while as it recovers. the best way is to use a selective weed killer - Amgrow make two - 'SedgeHammer' and 'Paspalum, Nutgrass & Clover'.
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Onion Grass (Weeds)
Description: Onion Grass (Romulea rosea var Australis) is quite different from Onion Weed although both are equally difficult to get rid off. Onion Grass is a perennial with narrow leaves. It looks like grass until you try remove it and find a small brown corm about size of a hazelnut. It has pretty star shaped pink-violet flowers with a yellow centre that flowers between August and November. It spreads very fast, by seed in the air and water or corms and cormlets in the soil.
Affects: It tends to be a problem in area of compacted or neglected soil. It is often a problem along grass verges. Onion Grass in poisonous to cattle.
Solution: Remove by hand ensuring that the small brown corms are also removed. If in your lawn or grass verge regular cutting will weaken the plants and reduce the opportunity for the plants to flower.
There are several selective and non selective herbicides registered to control onion grass. This is not recommended in the domestic situation as the herbicides may not only affect the native plants, the herbicides recommended for use during flowering are likely to have a harmful affect on the bees.
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Onion Weed (Weeds)
Description: Onion weed is sometimes called false garlic because of 'bulblets' that grow around the base of the bulb. Each bulblet can grow into a new plant and removing all them can be very tricky. The leaves can initially be mistaken for the leaves of daffodils but the flowers are quite different, they are white and form in clusters at the top of a single stem
Affects:
Solution: Remove by hand whilst the bulblets are still tightly attached to the main bulb. You'll need t long trowel to open the soil before pulling them out - or the foliage will just snap off, leaving the bulb in the ground. If the onion weed is in your lawn a combination of regularly watering, feeding and mowing of the lawn may help. Always remove the flowers before they have a chance to go to seed.
Alternatively you can apply a spot treatment by painting a non selective herbicide like Zero (glyphosate) onto the leaves.
Note: Many chemicals sold can be harmful to insects as well as some animals and in some cases, humans. Always read the manufacturers instructions and warnings before you begin and use as directed.
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Oxalis (wood sorrel) (Weeds)
Description: Sometimes called Shamrock or Creeping Oxalis - a low growing soft leaved (trifoliate leaflets) weed with pretty yellow, purple or white flowers. Very invasive and found in lawns, flowerbeds and pot plants.
Affects: Steals nitrogen from neighbouring plants
Solution: Remove by hand using a trowel to loosen the soil first, follow the stolons and remove each developing root. Keep lawn healthy and well fed during the warmer months.
Use a broadleafed herbicide on lawn.
Note: Many chemicals sold can be harmful to insects as well as some animals and in some cases, humans. Always read the manufacturers instructions and warnings before you begin and use as directed.
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Paspalum (Weeds)
Description: Paspalum is a tufted perennial grass that grows up to 150 cm. and is often dormant in winter. It grows well in patchy lawn, on roadsides, in orchards, plantations and vineyards.
Affects:
Solution: They can be removed by making sure all the upper plant including the crown has been removed. In lawns improve the health of the lawn by regular water, feeding and mowing. Mowing will not get rid of paspalum but it will encourage a denser lawn making it harder for paspalum to establish. Use a selective spray on lawns and spot spray with a non-selective herbicide on smaller areas.
Note: Many chemicals sold can be harmful to insects as well as some animals and in some cases, humans. Always read the manufacturers instructions and warnings before you begin and use as directed.
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Petty Surge - Radium Weed - Cancer Weed (Weeds)
Description: Petty Surge (Euphorbia pelplus) is a shade loving annual weed common is garden beds, roadsides, fields and woodlands. It can grow to about 30cm in length and has small oval shaped leaves alternately along its stem. It has yellow- green flowers from spring to late Autumn The stem contains a milky sap which is currently being studied for the treatment skin cancer, leukaemia, warts and sunspots.
Affects:
Solution: As with all annuals the aim is to control them by removing the plants before they have time to set seed. Once the seed pods have formed the sensitive nature of the pods means that the pods explode and release seed as the plants are removed.
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Pimple Psyllids (Pests)
Description: Pimple Psyllids are small sap sucking insects. They feed on the underside of new leaves. They are quite easy to identify as they feed red lumps 'galls' appear on the leaf's upper surface above the indentation on the lower surface containing the 'scale like' insect.
Although they look unsightly they don't seem to affect the overall health of the plant.
Affects: All Lilly Pilly. Particularly susceptible are Syzygium coolminianum, Syzygium australe, Syzygium paniulatum .
Solution: Plant species that seem to be more resistant to psyllid attacks ie Acmena smithii and Syszgium luehmannii.
Watch the new growth and spray with a systemic insecticide like Confidor but only when the plant is not in flower.
Systemic insecticide sprays have proved effective. Yates Confidor is no longer recommended as it is now known that Confidor is harmful to bees and should only be used when a plant is NOT in flower.
Note: Many chemicals sold can be harmful to other insects as well as some animals and in some cases, humans. Always read the manufacturers instructions and warnings before you begin and use as directed.
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Pink Wax Scale (Pests)
Description: Pink Wax Scale adults looks like small greyish pink turtles is found on the midribs and lateral veins and occasionally soft stems. Pink Wax Scale is a soft scale and produces a thick sweet secreta 'Honey Dew' that encourages both ants and sooty mold. The young nymphs 'Crawlers' are small red and mobile - this is the most vulnerable stage of the Pink Wax Scale life cycle - the ants herd and protect them from any predators.
Affects: Wide range of plants - Syzigium (Lilly Pilly), Ivy, Holly, ferns, citrus, figs and Pittosporum. Tends to be worse in spring and autumn. Plants are weakened in two ways firstly because the scale sucks sap from the leaves reducing the energy producing chlorophyll and secondly the thick layer of sooty mold prevents the sunlight reaching the leaf and allowing the plants to photosynthesize.
Solution: The solution chosen will depend on the size of the infestation and the affect it is having on the plant. If there are only few present then the scale can be wiped off. At the crawler stage Pest Oils can be used and 'TangleFoot' to form a barrier against climbing insects including the ants.
Adults - if there are too many to wipe off then use a systemic insecticide - it may take 2-3 applications
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Potato and Tomato Blight (Late Blight) (Disease)
Description: This is a disease caused by the fungus Phytophthora infestans The leaves develop dark marks, the leaves soon shrivel and turn brown. The stems may develop brown lesions.
The tomatos develop dark patches and the mature fruit start to decay as it ripens. The potato tuber develop a reddish-brown decay below the skin and the tuber starts to rot. Like all fungal diseases blight it always worse in warm damp conditions.
Affects: Affects potatoes and tomatoes.
Solution: All disease plant material should be removed and destroyed. Harvest potatoes early to avoid infection.
Keep plants well fed and remove excess leaves to allow a good air flow between plants.
Once established it is hard to treat. Spray with a protective copper based fungicide (Fungus Fighter Copper Fungicide).
Spray with sulphur or systemic fungicides as soon as symptoms appear, respray as per manufacturers instructions.
Note: Use registered fungicides with care. Always read the manufacturers instructions and warnings before you begin and use as directed.
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Potato Tuber Moth (Pests)
Description: The moth is light brown to grey and around 7mm long, it is seldom seen because it is very small and is active at night. It is the larvae (caterpillar) of the moth that causes all the damage which eat through the leaves and stalks and tunnel into the tubers The larvae are pink to green and 2cms long with a dark brown head.
Affects: Potatoes, tomatoes and other members of the Solanaceae family
Solution: Remove infected leaves. Ensure soil is high in nutrients and banked up around the plant. Remove all weeds. Harvest early and make sure all potatoes are taken from the soil.
Derris Dust - active ingredient Rotenone is made from natural root extract (toxic only to fish)
Spray with Omethoate based insecticide like Folimat
Note: Many chemicals sold can be harmful to other insects as well as some animals and in some cases, humans. Always read the manufacturers instructions and warnings before you begin and use as directed.
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Powdery Mildew (Disease)
Description: This is caused by a variety of fungi, all have the same life cycle, cause similar problems and are treated in similar ways. Each fungi attacks a specific range of plants. Infection shows as a white powdery growth on leaves flowers and twigs. Leaves may turn yellow and drop. As with all fungi they prefer warm humid conditions.
Affects: Pumpkin, squash, marrow, cucumber, roses, peas, turnip, strawberries, aster, poppy, zinnia, pansy, delphinium, roses, apple, begonias, hydrangeas and eucalyptus seedlings
Solution: The best solution is to introduce fungus eating ladybirds (Illeis galbula) which are bright yellow and black. Otherwise remove and destroy all infected leaves and stems.
Space plants a sufficient distance apart to allow for good circulation of air.
Spray with sulphur or systemic fungicides as soon as symptoms appear, respray as per manufacturers instructions.
Note: Use registered fungicides with care. Always read the manufacturers instructions and warnings before you begin and use as directed.
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Rabbits (Feral) (Pests)
Description: In some areas feral rabbits are at plague proportions, yet in others its a rarity. In parts of Sydney it can be a big problem and your salad and brassicas will be their prime target as well as other juicy border plants.
Affects:
Solution: If you haven't got your garden fenced then the only option is bird netting (and a letter to the local council to organise humane culling)
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Red Scale or California Red Scale (Pests)
Description: Red scale is a hard scale, so it doesn't produce honeydew and all its related problems. It does cause serious damage to the tree. The small reddish-brown round scale can be seen on the leaves and tend to be accompanied by yellowing of the area around the scale. It young trees the scale can cause serious damage and on occasions can lead to death.
The young nymphs (crawlers) are the only mobile stage and also the most susceptible. Once the nymph starts to feed it becomes stationery and builds a protective coating over its body.
Affects: Citrus - leaves, fruits, twigs and branches. Can also affect
Solution: Monitor the new growth and at the first sign of crawlers spray with Pest Oil. Check regularly during October and March.
It is possible to purchase Parasitic wasps to devour the insects. Aphytis are tiny yellow wasps they lay their eggs under the scale cover, on hatching the larvae feed on the red scale.
Small infestations can be removed by hand either rub the scale off leaves or smooth stems or brush vigorously with an old toothbrush to remove scale from older branches. Remove and destroy heavily infested branches.
NOTE: Many chemicals sold can be harmful to other insects as well as some animals and in some cases, humans. Always read the manufacturers instructions and warnings before you begin and use as directed.
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Root Knot - Nematodes (Pests)
Description: Root Knot is caused by microscopic nematode worms.
These tiny worms penetrate the roots and start feeding. Their saliva stimulates the plants defences leading to cell division in that part of the root and the formation of knobbly lumps on the roots called 'Galls'.
The galls interfere with the movement of water through the roots. The above ground parts of the plant show signs of water stress: slower growth, yellowing leaves and wilting especially in hot weather eventually leading to death of the plant.
Affects: Wide variety of plants including potatoes, tomatoes, carrots, hibiscus and roses.
Solution: Remove and destroy all infected plants.
Leave the area fallow for up 1 year (aim to starve the nematodes)
Add organic matter that will contain 'good' nematodes that will feed on the 'bad ones
Plant crops that are resistant to nematodes - Brassicas ( ie cabbage, cauliflower) onions and corn
Plant flowers that nematodes find toxic. Marigolds are one such plant however these are not toxic to all nematodes.
There are nematicides available but these are very toxic and not recommended for domestic use.
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Root Rot - phythophthora (Disease)
Description: Is caused by the Phythophthora fungus that lives in moist soils.
This tends to be a problem of poorly drained and saturated soils. It is a problem seen in both indoor and outdoor plants. It is one of the biggest killers of indoor plants and caused by over-watering and insufficient drainage.
The fungus enters the roots via the root hairs and destroys the roots vascular tissue. The healthy creamy white roots become brown and brittle as they die. The plant is less able to take up water and develops signs of water stress: yellowing leaves, wilting, leaf drop and branch die-back. In hot conditions the plant may die quickly.
Affects: A wide range of plants including strawberries, carnations, come cypress species and wide range of Eucalyptus and Oleanders.
Solution: If the problem is pick up before the majority of roots have been affected the plant may be saved by improving the draining, avoiding over watering adding organic material to the soil and making sure that any mulch or weeds are kept away from the base of the trunk.
In many cases the plant cannot be saved and the only option is to remove and destroy the plant. If you are getting rid of an indoor plant make sure that you throw the soil with the plant.
When it is time to replace the plant choose an phytophthora resistant species.
For plants with a reasonably functioning root system then a systemic fungicide like Fongarid can be applied. The key being that the roots must be able to take up the fungicide.
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Rose Dieback or Canker (Disease)
Description: This is a fungal disease of the stems. The stem below the pruning cut turns brown and dies back to either a large bud, branch stem or in less resistant varieties to the base killing the whole plant.
Affects: Roses
Solution: The fungi enters the plant through pruning wounds or damage to the stem. It is important that clean sharp secateurs when pruning roses.
Remove infected stems to well below the dieback and to a branch node. Fertilise to encourage healthy growth.
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Author: Bob Saunders.